Avignon enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Summers often see highs above 30°C, while winters are generally mild, with daytime temperatures around 10°C. Rain is most common in autumn, and the city is famous for its abundant sunshine and the occasional strong mistral wind that sweeps through the Rhône Valley.
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.
Avignon’s Mediterranean climate brings four distinct seasons, each with its own charm. Summers (June–August) are hot and dry, with average highs of 29–33°C in July and August. Rainfall is minimal in summer, with July often seeing only 13–26 mm over just a few days. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 11 hours per day, making this a popular season for festivals and outdoor activities. Nights remain warm, and humidity is moderate, though the famous mistral wind can occasionally bring a refreshing, if sometimes fierce, breeze from the north.
Autumn (September–November) marks the start of the wetter season, with temperatures cooling from 27°C in September to 14°C in November. Rainfall increases, peaking in October and November when storms can be dramatic but are usually short-lived. Winters (December–February) are mild by European standards, with daytime highs of 9–11°C and lows rarely falling below 2°C. Snow is rare, but frosty mornings do occur. Spring (March–May) is a delightful time, with temperatures rising from 16°C in March to 22°C in May, blooming landscapes, and moderate rainfall. The mistral wind is most common in winter and spring, sometimes making the air feel colder than the thermometer suggests. Avignon enjoys around 2,700 hours of sunshine annually, supporting its reputation as one of France’s sunniest cities.
| Average climate data for Avignon, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 10 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 20 | 22 | 20 | 31 | 25 | 22 | 13 | 21 | 27 | 54 | 68 | 29 | 351 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 95 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 72 | 68 | 67 | 64 | 61 | 55 | 56 | 64 | 72 | 78 | 79 | 68 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 36 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 27 | 39 | 34 | 26 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Avignon is in spring (April–June) and early autumn (September). During these periods, temperatures are comfortably warm (18–27°C), sunshine is abundant, and crowds are smaller than in peak summer. The city’s gardens and countryside are vibrant, and outdoor events are in full swing. These months also avoid the hottest weather and the heaviest autumn rains.
The least favourable time for travel is late autumn (October–November), when rain is most frequent and storms can be intense. July and August, while sunny, can be uncomfortably hot and crowded, especially during the festival season. Winter is quieter but can be chilly and windy, with the mistral making it feel colder than the temperatures suggest.
Avignon has hot, dry summers (29–33°C) and mild, wetter winters (9–11°C). Rain is most common in autumn, while spring and summer are sunny and pleasant. The mistral wind can bring sudden cold spells, especially in winter and spring.
Autumn, especially October and November, is the wettest period in Avignon. These months see the most rainfall and occasional dramatic storms, so packing an umbrella and waterproof shoes is recommended.
Snow is rare in Avignon. Winters are generally mild, though frosty mornings do occur. If snow falls, it is usually light and melts quickly, making it unlikely to disrupt travel plans.
Avignon enjoys about 2,700 hours of sunshine annually. Summer months are the sunniest, with up to 11 hours per day, while even winter months offer a fair amount of bright, clear days.
The mistral is a strong, cold, dry wind from the north or northwest that can sweep through Avignon, especially in winter and spring. It can last for days, making temperatures feel colder and skies clearer.
Bring light, breathable clothes and sun protection for summer, layers and a windproof jacket for spring and autumn, and a warm coat for winter. An umbrella is useful in autumn, and comfortable shoes are essential year-round.
July and August can be very hot, with highs above 30°C. Sightseeing is best done in the early morning or evening. Stay hydrated, wear a hat, and take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places during the hottest hours.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (31.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (9.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (18.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (2.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 10.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (68.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (12.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 350.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (12.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (5.2 days). Over the whole year there are 94.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (15 mm). The months with the least snowfall are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 19 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (0.6 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, June and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (79.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (54.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 67.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (15.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is September (11.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.3 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (38.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (12 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 25.7 %.
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 July (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 5.1 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 June, July and August (UV index: 6). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.2.
