Cannes features a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, and sunny summers, and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys over 2,700 hours of sunshine each year, with summer sea breezes tempering the heat. Seasonal contrasts bring vibrant springs and autumns, making Cannes a year-round destination for beach lovers, festival goers, and cultural explorers.
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.
Cannes’ climate is shaped by its location on the French Riviera, resulting in four distinct seasons. Summers (June–September) are hot, dry, and exceptionally sunny, with average highs of 26–29°C and occasional peaks above 33°C. Nights remain warm, around 18–23°C. Rainfall is rare in summer – July and August average just 13–27 mm over 2–3 rainy days per month. The Mediterranean Sea reaches 23–24°C in August, ideal for swimming, while sea breezes keep humidity moderate and temperatures comfortable. Sunshine is at its maximum, with up to 11 hours per day in July.
Winters (December–February) are mild and wetter, with average highs of 12–15°C and lows of 5–9°C. Rainfall is concentrated in autumn and winter, especially in November, which can see up to 135 mm of rain. Snow is extremely rare, and frost is unusual. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (16–22°C), moderate rainfall, and blooming or golden landscapes. These seasons are perfect for outdoor activities, festivals, and exploring the city with fewer crowds. Annual precipitation averages 800–880 mm, and Cannes enjoys more than 2,700 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally light to moderate, with stronger breezes possible during storms or in autumn.
| Average climate data for Cannes, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 11 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 27 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 24 | 34 | 34 | 46 | 40 | 28 | 16 | 12 | 27 | 69 | 118 | 54 | 502 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 107 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 69 | 67 | 67 | 68 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 65 | 67 | 70 | 69 | 69 | 68 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 28 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 23 | 28 | 25 | 21 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Cannes is from May to October, when temperatures are warm (19–29°C), rainfall is minimal, and the sea is perfect for swimming. For those seeking fewer crowds and milder weather, May–June and September–October are especially pleasant, offering ideal conditions for both beach and cultural activities.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when Cannes is coolest and wettest. While temperatures remain mild, frequent rain and occasional storms can limit beach days and outdoor activities, though the city is quieter and prices are lower during this period.
Cannes has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest destinations on the French Riviera.
Summer temperatures in Cannes typically reach 26–29°C, with occasional peaks above 33°C in July and August. Nights are warm, and sea breezes help keep the heat comfortable for beachgoers.
Snow is extremely rare in Cannes. Winters are mild, with daytime highs of 12–15°C and nighttime lows of 5–9°C. Rain is more common than snow in winter.
Rain falls mainly from October to February, with November being the wettest month. Summer is almost completely dry, with little to no rainfall from June to August.
Cannes enjoys more than 2,700 hours of sunshine per year, with July and August each averaging up to 11 hours of sun per day. Even in winter, sunny days are common.
Pack light, breathable clothes and swimwear for summer, layers and a rain jacket for winter and spring. Sun protection is essential year-round, and an umbrella is useful in autumn and winter.
Cannes is moderately humid, especially in summer, but sea breezes keep the air comfortable. Winds are generally light, with stronger breezes possible during autumn storms.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (27.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (11.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (20.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (6.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 12.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (23.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (13.1 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 18 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (117.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (12.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 501.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (12.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (5 days). Over the whole year there are 106.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (4 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 7 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (0.7 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, 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 October (70.3 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (65.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 67.7 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is November (13.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (9.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (28.5 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (10.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 21.5 %.
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 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 5.9 h). Over the whole year there are 8.8 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.
