Nantes, in western France, enjoys a mild oceanic climate with pleasantly warm summers, cool, damp winters, and moderate rainfall year-round. The city is known for its lush green spaces, frequent cloudy skies, and abundant sunshine in summer. With distinct seasons and a lively cultural scene, Nantes is an inviting destination for travellers throughout the year.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Nantes features a temperate oceanic climate, shaped by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Summers (June–August) are warm and generally sunny, with average highs of 22–26°C and lows of 12–16°C. July and August are the hottest and sunniest months, offering up to 9–11 hours of sunshine daily. Rainfall is lowest in summer, averaging 45–46 mm per month, and gentle sea breezes keep the heat comfortable. Heatwaves above 34°C can occur but are usually brief. The Atlantic nearby brings a refreshing influence, and the sea temperature peaks at 19°C in August, making swimming possible for hardy visitors.
Winters (December–February) are cool and damp, with highs of 8–10°C and lows of 2–4°C. Rainfall is most frequent in winter, especially in December and January, with around 84–95 mm per month and 12–15 rainy days. Snow is rare but possible, and frosts are occasional. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (13–21°C), frequent showers, and rapidly changing weather. May and September are especially pleasant for outdoor activities, with longer daylight and moderate rainfall. Nantes receives about 820–850 mm of precipitation annually and enjoys 2,000–2,300 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms, especially in autumn and winter. The city’s climate supports lush parks and gardens, and its weather is rarely extreme, making it comfortable for year-round visits.
| Average climate data for Nantes, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 47 | 45 | 38 | 40 | 32 | 38 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 37 | 60 | 66 | 473 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 158 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 85 | 84 | 82 | 81 | 82 | 79 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 81 | 84 | 86 | 81 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 56 | 50 | 45 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 37 | 35 | 33 | 43 | 52 | 52 | 44 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Nantes is from mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are warmest (18–26°C), rainfall is lowest, and the city is lively with festivals, outdoor events, and vibrant parks. These months offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, river cruises, and enjoying the region’s gardens, with long days and pleasant evenings.
The least favourable time to visit Nantes is from November to February, when temperatures are lowest, days are shortest, and frequent rain, occasional frost, or rare snow can limit outdoor activities. While winter is festive with Christmas markets, cold, damp, and dark conditions may not appeal to all travellers, though the city remains charming for those seeking a cosy atmosphere.
Nantes has a mild oceanic climate with warm summers and cool, damp winters. Rain falls year-round, with peaks in late autumn and winter. Snow is rare, and the city enjoys moderate sunshine, especially in summer.
The best time to visit Nantes is from mid-May to mid-September, when the weather is warm, days are long, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor activities. Spring and early autumn are also pleasant for sightseeing.
Snow is rare in Nantes, but can occasionally occur in winter. When it does, it is usually light and short-lived. Most winter precipitation falls as rain, and frosts are occasional.
Nantes receives moderate rainfall, averaging 820–850 mm annually. Rain falls throughout the year, with the wettest months in late autumn and winter. Showers are frequent, so packing an umbrella or raincoat is advisable.
Summer highs in Nantes typically reach 22–26°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 34°C, but evenings remain cool and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket for showers, and sun protection for summer. In winter, bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and waterproof shoes for cold, damp conditions.
Winds in Nantes are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms, especially in autumn and winter. The city’s proximity to the Atlantic means breezy conditions are common, particularly in the cooler months.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (24.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 16.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (14.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 8.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (65.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (21.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 472.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (16.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (8.2 days). Over the whole year there are 158.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (2 mm). The months with the least snowfall are March, May, June, July, August, September, October and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 5 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (0.4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (86.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is September (74 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 80.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (18.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (11.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 14.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (55.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is September (33.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 44.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 6.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.4.
