Winter
Dec → Feb9 to 12°
nights 0 to 3°
- 7 rainy days · 50 mm
- 7.2 h of sun
When is the best time to visit Provence?
- Jan9°not recommended
- Feb12°not recommended
- Mar14°fair
- Apr17°recommended
- May21°recommended
- Jun27°recommended
- Jul31°recommended
- Aug30°fair
- Sep24°recommended
- Oct20°recommended
- Nov13°fair
- Dec9°not recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Provence, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9° | 0° | 7 h | 35 mm | 6 d | |
| February | 12° | 3° | 8 h | 41 mm | 6 d | |
| March | 14° | 4° | 9.6 h | 62 mm | 8 d | |
| April | 17° | 6° | 10.7 h | 54 mm | 7 d | ✓ |
| May | 21° | 10° | 11.7 h | 88 mm | 10 d | ✓ |
| June | 27° | 15° | 13.4 h | 48 mm | 6 d | ✓ |
| July | 31° | 18° | 13.9 h | 14 mm | 3 d | ✓ |
| August | 30° | 17° | 12.5 h | 37 mm | 4 d | |
| September | 24° | 14° | 10.7 h | 82 mm | 8 d | ✓ |
| October | 20° | 10° | 8.6 h | 101 mm | 9 d | ✓ |
| November | 13° | 5° | 7.2 h | 59 mm | 8 d | |
| December | 9° | 2° | 6.7 h | 74 mm | 8 d |
The four seasons in Provence, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Gordes) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May14 to 21°
nights 4 to 10°
- 8 rainy days · 68 mm
- 10.7 h of sun
Summer
Jun → Aug27 to 31°
nights 15 to 18°
- 4 rainy days · 33 mm
- 13.3 h of sun
Autumn
Sep → Nov13 to 24°
nights 5 to 14°
- 8 rainy days · 81 mm
- 8.8 h of sun
Book early for April to July and September to October
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The selection does not depend on these links.
Daylight in Provence, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 15h27 of daylight, in December 8h55, a difference of 6h32.
9h15Jan
10h25Feb
11h48Mar
13h23Apr
14h43May
15h27Jun
15h09Jul
13h59Aug
12h26Sep
10h55Oct
9h34Nov
8h55Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Gordes" (43.91°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Provence, month by month
EventsAvignon FestivalJulyLavender in bloomJune to JulyRencontres d'Arles photography festivalJuly to SeptemberChorégies d'OrangeJuly to AugustDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Towns & culture: good conditions all twelve months.
- Hiking: February, March, April, June, September, October, November
- Long days: May, June, July
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall), not from an opinion.
What's on in Provence, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. These events fill the hotels and push prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- JulyAvignon Festival big crowds
The Palace of the Popes and some forty venues in the city host theatre and dance for three weeks, with a sprawling Off festival.
- June to JulyLavender in bloom big crowds
The Valensole and Sault plateaus turn purple, until the harvest begins in the second half of July.
- July to SeptemberRencontres d'Arles photography festival
Exhibitions take over chapels, railway workshops and grand town houses in Arles, from early July to late September.
- July to AugustChorégies d'Orange
Operas are staged in the ancient theatre of Orange, in front of a Roman stage wall that still stands.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Provence, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 Marseille | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇫🇷 Aix-en-Provence | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇫🇷 Avignon | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇫🇷 The Camargue | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇫🇷 The Verdon Gorge | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇫🇷 The Luberon | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇫🇷 Drôme Provençale | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
MarseilleBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Marseille →The Marseille guide
Aix-en-ProvenceBest time: April to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Aix-en-Provence →The Aix-en-Provence guide
The CamargueBest time: April to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Camargue →The Camargue guide
The Verdon GorgeBest time: May to June and SeptemberWhen to visit the Verdon Gorge →The Verdon Gorge guide
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended9°0° at night
- 35 mm · 6 d
- 7 h
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended12°3° at night
- 41 mm · 6 d
- 8 h
Low season, lower prices
March
Fair14°4° at night
- 62 mm · 8 d
- 9.6 h
Low season, lower prices
April
Recommended17°6° at night
- 54 mm · 7 d
- 10.7 h
Busy, without the crush
May
Recommended21°10° at night
- 88 mm · 10 d
- 11.7 h
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended27°15° at night
- 48 mm · 6 d
- 13.4 h
High season, book early
July
Recommended31°18° at night
- 14 mm · 3 d
- 13.9 h
High season, book early
August
Fair30°17° at night
- 37 mm · 4 d
- 12.5 h
Busy, without the crush
September
Recommended24°14° at night
- 82 mm · 8 d
- 10.7 h
Busy, without the crush
October
Recommended20°10° at night
- 101 mm · 9 d
- 8.6 h
Busy, without the crush
November
Fair13°5° at night
- 59 mm · 8 d
- 7.2 h
Low season, lower prices
December
Not recommended9°2° at night
- 74 mm · 8 d
- 6.7 h
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Cool: 9 °C at best, 0 °C at night. Rain stays light: 35 mm over 6 days. Expect 7 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Cool: 12 °C at best, 3 °C at night. Rain stays light: 41 mm over 6 days. Expect 8 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Cool: 14 °C at best, 4 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (62 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9.6 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. Cool: 17 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Rain stays light: 54 mm over 7 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
May. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 10 °C early in the morning. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (88 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.7 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
June. 27 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C at night. Rain stays light: 48 mm over 6 days. Plenty of sunshine: 13.4 h a day on average. High season: book early.
July. 31 °C in the afternoon and 18 °C at night. Hardly any rain (14 mm over 3 days). Plenty of sunshine: 13.9 h a day on average. High season: book early.
August. 30 °C in the afternoon and 17 °C at night. Rain stays light: 37 mm over 4 days. Plenty of sunshine: 12.5 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
September. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (82 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
October. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 10 °C early in the morning. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (101 mm). Expect 8.6 h of sunshine a day. Busy season, without the crush.
November. Cool: 13 °C at best, 5 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (59 mm). Expect 7.2 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Cool: 9 °C at best, 2 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (74 mm). Expect 6.7 h of sunshine a day. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Provence?
April to July and September to October: over these months, recorded highs range from 17 to 31 °C, with 7 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, Gordes).
Which month should you avoid in Provence?
December: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 74 mm over 8 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (Gordes).
What is the hottest month in Provence?
July, with 31 °C on average in the afternoon and 18 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Gordes).
What is the coldest month in Provence?
January, with 9 °C at best during the day and 0 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Gordes).
What is the driest month in Provence?
July: 14 mm over 3 days of rain, against 101 mm in October, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Provence?
July, with 13.9 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
Does it get cold at night in Provence?
The gap between day and night reaches 13 °C in July: 31 °C in the afternoon, 18 °C at dawn. Pack an extra layer, even in high season.
When is the best time to hike in Provence?
February, March, April, June, September, October, November: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Gordes), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Provence guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🧭 When to visit France: the country overview→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
Compare with other destinations
Photos: Jiròni Picas / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · AXP Photography / Pexels · Ryan Klaus / Pexels · Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto / Pexels · Walter Coppola / Pexels · Tahir Xəlfəquliyev / Pexels · Geert Willemarck / Pexels · Thierry coulon / Pexels · SlimMars 13 / Pexels