Nîmes, in southern France, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city is one of the sunniest in France, boasting long daylight hours in summer, moderate rainfall, and the occasional gusty mistral wind. Its dynamic weather and rich Roman heritage make Nîmes a vibrant destination 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.
Nîmes features a classic Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, sunny summers and mild, relatively rainy winters. Summer (June–August) brings average highs of 28–32°C, with July and August often reaching or exceeding 30°C. Nights remain warm, and rainfall is minimal – July is the driest month with just 20–30 mm over 3–5 days. The city enjoys up to 11 hours of sunshine per day in summer, and humidity is low, making the heat more tolerable. The Mediterranean Sea is nearby, and sea breezes can offer relief during the hottest days. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 36°C. Thunderstorms are rare but can occur late in the season.
Winters (December–February) are mild, with highs of 11–14°C and lows of 3–6°C. Rain is more frequent, especially from October to December, when monthly totals can exceed 90–120 mm. Snow is rare but possible, usually melting quickly. The mistral wind can blow strongly in winter and spring, making the air feel colder. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (16–25°C), moderate rainfall, and blooming landscapes. May and September are especially popular for outdoor activities and sightseeing, as the weather is warm but not extreme and the crowds are smaller. Nîmes enjoys around 2,600–2,800 hours of sunshine per year, and winds are generally light to moderate except during mistral events.
| Average climate data for Nimes, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 10 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 14 | 11 | 30 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 31 | 32 | 30 | 50 | 34 | 24 | 13 | 21 | 28 | 86 | 83 | 28 | 461 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 106 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 70 | 68 | 68 | 65 | 61 | 58 | 59 | 64 | 70 | 77 | 77 | 68 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 37 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 25 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 29 | 41 | 36 | 27 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Nîmes is from mid-April to mid-June and in September, when temperatures are warm but not extreme, rainfall is moderate, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor activities. These months offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, exploring Roman monuments, and enjoying the region’s Mediterranean charm without the peak summer crowds.
The least favourable time to visit Nîmes is from late October to February, when rainfall is highest, days are shortest, and the mistral wind can make the air feel colder. While winters are generally mild, frequent rain and occasional chilly winds can limit outdoor activities, though the city remains attractive for cultural and indoor experiences.
Nîmes has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Summers are sunny and warm, while winters are cooler and rainier, with occasional gusty mistral winds.
The best time to visit Nîmes is from mid-April to mid-June and in September, when the weather is warm, rainfall is moderate, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events.
Summer highs in Nîmes typically reach 28–32°C, with July and August being the hottest months. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 36°C, but low humidity and sea breezes help moderate the heat.
Rainfall is moderate overall, with the wettest months from October to December. Summer is very dry, with July and August receiving the least rain. Rain often falls in short, intense bursts.
Snow is rare in Nîmes due to its mild winter climate. When it does snow, it is usually light and melts quickly, with significant accumulations being exceptional.
In summer, bring light clothing, sun protection, and a hat. For spring and autumn, pack layers and a light rain jacket. In winter, bring a jumper and rain gear for cooler, wetter days. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended year-round.
The mistral wind can blow strongly in Nîmes, especially in winter and spring, making the air feel colder. Winds are generally light to moderate at other times of year.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (29.8 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (10.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (19.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (4.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 11.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (86 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (13.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 461.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (13 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (6.1 days). Over the whole year there are 106.2 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is March (3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 8.1 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 May, June, August, September, October and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (77.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (57.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 67.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (17.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (12.8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 15.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (41 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (13.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 27.4 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 8.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.3.
