Measured, not vibes
Best Time to Visit Nice and the French Riviera
By measured weather comfort, the top months for Nice and the French Riviera are September, June, October — and RouteVerdict's editorial pick, which also weighs crowds and prices, is May, June, September, October. The table below is computed from ERA5 reanalysis data for 2020–2024, measured at Nice (Nice and the French Riviera) (25 m elevation).
Month by month
Nice and the French Riviera weather and comfort, 2020–2024
| Month | Avg high | Wet days | Comfort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.8°C / 55°F | 4.5 | 48 | |
| February | 14.2°C / 58°F | 3.7 | 57 | |
| March | 15.4°C / 60°F | 5.3 | 63 | |
| April | 17.6°C / 64°F | 6.5 | 73 | |
| May | 21.4°C / 71°F | 7.8 | 83 | |
| June | 25.4°C / 78°F | 5.8 | 85 | Best |
| July | 28.5°C / 83°F | 2 | 80 | Shoulder |
| August | 29.2°C / 85°F | 3 | 74 | Shoulder |
| September | 25.5°C / 78°F | 4.3 | 88 | Best |
| October | 21.2°C / 70°F | 7.3 | 84 | Best |
| November | 17.1°C / 63°F | 6.2 | 71 | |
| December | 13.6°C / 56°F | 6.3 | 51 |
Comfort is RouteVerdict's 0–100 score: 100·exp(−(high−23)²/162) × (1 − min(0.35, wet days × 0.02)). The full method is on the methodology page. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (ERA5, CC BY 4.0), 2020–2024 normals. Wet day = ≥1 mm precipitation.
What the seasons are actually like
Traveling to Nice and the French Riviera month by month
Nice's comfort score peaks in September at 87.9, with an average high of 25.5°C and just 4.3 wet days, ahead of June's 85.3 and October's 83.7. July and August are the hottest months, averaging 28.5°C and 29.2°C, but comfort dips to 79.6 and 74.1 — solid, but a step below the shoulder-season peaks, which is why RouteVerdict lists them as shoulder months rather than editorial picks. Winter (December–February) sees highs of 12.8–14.2°C and comfort scores of 47.9–57.4.
FAQ
Nice and the French Riviera timing questions
What is the best month to visit Nice and the French Riviera?
By measured weather comfort (ERA5 2020–2024), the top months are September, June, and October, with September scoring highest. RouteVerdict's editorial pick is May, June, September, and October, which also weighs crowds, prices, and events.
What is the hottest month in Nice and the French Riviera?
August, with an average daily high of 29.2°C (85°F).
What is the rainiest month in Nice and the French Riviera?
May, averaging 7.8 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.
When is shoulder season in Nice and the French Riviera?
July and August — the best-scoring months outside both the measured top three and RouteVerdict's editorial peak-season pick.
Why aren't July and August in Nice's editorial best months?
Both average 28.5°C and 29.2°C, but comfort dips to 79.6 and 74.1 — below the shoulder-season peaks of September (87.9) and June (85.3) — which is why they're listed as shoulder months instead.
What is Nice's single best month for weather?
September, with an average high of 25.5°C, just 4.3 wet days, and a comfort score of 87.9 — the highest measured for any month.