Arles, in southern France’s Provence region, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city is one of the sunniest in France, with long daylight hours in summer, moderate rainfall, and the occasional strong mistral wind. Its dynamic weather, Roman heritage, and vibrant festivals make Arles a year-round destination.
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.
Arles’ climate is shaped by its Mediterranean location and the influence of the Rhône Valley. Summers (June–August) are hot, dry, and sunny, with average highs of 30–32°C and lows of 17–20°C. July is typically the hottest and driest month, with just 14–20 mm of rain over 3–4 days and up to 11 hours of sunshine daily. The UV index is very high, and the heat is moderated by occasional breezes from the Mediterranean. The mistral wind, a strong, cold, dry wind from the north, can arrive at any time of year, bringing clear skies but sometimes dropping temperatures sharply and increasing the risk of wind chill, especially in winter and spring.
Winters (December–February) are mild and relatively wet, with highs of 12–14°C and lows of 4–6°C. Rain is more frequent, especially in October and November, the wettest months with up to 80–130 mm of rain and 8–9 rainy days. Snow is rare but possible. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (16–25°C), moderate rainfall, and blooming landscapes. Rain in Arles often falls in short, intense bursts rather than prolonged drizzle. Annual precipitation averages 540–710 mm, and the city enjoys over 2,700 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally moderate but can be strong during mistral events, especially in March and April. The climate supports a lively outdoor lifestyle and lush countryside, with long evenings in summer and mild winters perfect for exploring the city’s Roman sites and markets.
| Average climate data for Arles, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 34 | 32 | 29 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 34 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 20 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 12 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 10 | 124 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 60 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 33 | 38 | 45 | 53 | 62 | 69 | 69 | 66 | 59 | 48 | 44 | 38 | 52 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 13 | 17 | 18 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 24 |
| Average UV index | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
The best time to visit Arles is from late April to early October, when temperatures are warm, rainfall is low, and the city is alive with festivals, outdoor dining, and cultural events. June and September offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, with long days, pleasant weather, and fewer crowds than peak summer.
The least favourable time to visit Arles 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.
Arles 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 strong mistral winds.
The best time to visit Arles is from late April to early October, when the weather is warm, rainfall is moderate, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor events.
Summer highs in Arles typically reach 30–32°C, with July and August being the hottest months. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 36°C, but sea breezes and the mistral can provide relief.
Rainfall is moderate overall, with the wettest months from October to November. Summer is very dry, with July and August receiving the least rain. Rain often falls in short, intense bursts.
Snow is rare in Arles 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.
Yes, the mistral wind can blow strongly in Arles, 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 January (34.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (15.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 24.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (20.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is August (7.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (14.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (7.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 123.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (5.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (3.7 days). Over the whole year there are 59.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (0.1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, August and December (0 days). Over the whole year there are 0.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (68.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is January (33.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 51.9 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (15.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is April (11.7 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is July (33.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is January (13 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 24.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 10 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 December (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 7 h). Over the whole year there are 8.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.2.
