Nice weather guide

• Essentials
  • Overview
  • Basics
  • Getting there
  • Getting around
• City sights
  • Top sights
  • Tourist trail
  • Offbeat sights
  • Nearby trips
  • Museums
• Things to do
  • Eating out
  • Cafe bars
  • Shopping
  • Nightlife
• Planning
  • When to go
  • Where to stay
  • Find a hotel

When to go

Nice is a good year-round travel destination. It started out as a winter resort because it has a mild, pleasant winter climate.

But, while summers are typically Mediterranean – hot and sunny - there’s often a breeze to keep the worst of the heat at bay.

Nice France weather

July and August normally have the highest temperatures at around 27°C.

Daytime temperatures in winter are typically around 13 – 15°C, and January is the wettest month, with about six wet days.

You will be unlucky to hit more than the odd wet day in summer. It hardly ever snows, unless you venture into the mountains behind the resort where there are ski resorts within an hour's drive from the airport.

Nice France climate

Nice's fame as a resort is partly down to it being protected from the infamous Mistral, the strong northerly wind that sweeps down the Rhone Valley and which can blow for days on end, to the discomfort of everyone in its path.

The mountains to the north of Nice and its near neighbours provide good shelter from the wind but, the more westerly you go towards Marseilles, the more the Mistral can be a problem.

Within an hour's drive of Nice, you can enjoy true Alpine winter weather with top class skiing from early December - when most resorts open - until late March or even into April. Obviously, the higher the resort, the better chance of good snow, but many resorts are also well equipped with snow-making machines.

The official temperatures for Nice are taken at the airport. As it is exposed to the Var Valley, this area is slightly cooler than Nice city centre.

Nice festivals and events

January can be ideal for a winter break. Early last century, this was the height of the Riviera season, before the summer holidays took over. The skiing season is at its best in the mountains, an hour's drive from Nice airport.

February sees the world-famous Nice Carnival. Festivities take place around Shrove Tuesday and last for a fortnight. The Floral Procession is spectacular and attracts huge crowds to see the displays.

April features a curious celebration when Nice pays homage to cougoudons. They are marrows that have been dried and painted. Not to be missed by marrow fans!

May La Fete des Mai, the oldest festival in Nice.

June Fete de la Musique with many free concerts aound the city.

July The Nice Jazz Festival. It's held in the Parc de Cimiez and is regarded as one of the best in Europe, attracting top names in the jazz world. Bastille Day on 14th July.

August is the month virtually all of France takes as a month-long holiday, meaning that Nice and the rest of the coast is packed with holidaymakers making the best of the summer weather. Expect serious jams on many of the roads.

September Fete de la San Bertoumieu, a market selling traditional arts and crafts.

December Christmas Village with ice rink and Christmas stalls, Also the International Star Regatta, a rowing regatta.

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