France
France in May
Where it is warm, dry and good for swimming in France in May — compared across the country’s main destinations.
Quick answers
- Where is it warmest in France in May?
- Avignon is the warmest of the 16 destinations compared, with highs of 23°C (74°F) in May; Chamonix is the coolest at 16°C (60°F).
- Can you swim in the sea in France in May?
- Hardly: even the warmest water, at Cannes (18°C (64°F)), stays below 21 °C.
Warmest
23°
Avignon
Coolest
16°
Chamonix
Driest
41 mm
Marseille
Warmest sea
18°
Cannes
Across France, May highs run from 16°C (60°F) (Chamonix) to 23°C (74°F) (Avignon). On average it is 4.5 °C (8 °F) warmer than April. Some destinations see regular rain. Best bets this month: Marseille, Toulon, and Arles.
Best places in France in May
87 
Marseille
Provence & the Côte d’Azur · France
22° / 13° 41 mm May
86
Toulon
Provence & the Côte d’Azur · France
21° / 12° 46 mm May
85
Arles
Provence & the Côte d’Azur · France
23° / 13° 58 mm May
84
Avignon
Provence & the Côte d’Azur · France
23° / 12° 67 mm May
77
Nice
Provence & the Côte d’Azur · France
20° / 14° 51 mm May
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80
Cannes
Provence & the Côte d’Azur · France
20° / 13° 52 mm May
83
Nîmes
Occitanie · France
22° / 12° 62 mm May
79
Antibes
Provence & the Côte d’Azur · France
20° / 13° 51 mm May
Weather in May by city
| Place | Day | Night | Rain | Sea | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marseille | 22° | 13° | 41 mm | 16° | 87 |
| Avignon | 23° | 12° | 67 mm | — | 84 |
| Cannes | 20° | 13° | 52 mm | 18° | 80 |
| Antibes | 20° | 13° | 51 mm | 18° | 79 |
| Nice | 20° | 14° | 51 mm | 18° | 77 |
| Perpignan | 21° | 12° | 50 mm | — | 75 |
| Toulouse | 21° | 10° | 78 mm | — | 68 |
| Bordeaux | 21° | 10° | 79 mm | — | 67 |
| Lyon | 21° | 10° | 86 mm | — | 65 |
| Paris | 20° | 10° | 64 mm | — | 60 |
| Strasbourg | 20° | 10° | 90 mm | — | 60 |
| Paris 01 Louvre | 20° | 10° | 67 mm | — | 60 |
| Dijon | 19° | 9° | 85 mm | — | 59 |
| Lille | 18° | 9° | 62 mm | — | 53 |
| Brest | 16° | 9° | 71 mm | 13° | 47 |
| Chamonix | 16° | 5° | 95 mm | — | 40 |
Festivals in France in May
- Cannes Film Festival Annual film festival held in Cannes, France
- Directors' Fortnight Independent section held in parallel to the Cannes Film Festival
- Critics' Week Parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival
- Villette Sonique Music Festival
- Jazz sous les pommiers Music festival in Coutances, France
- feria de Nîmes Bullfighting festival
- Nuits Sonores Electronic music festival based at Lyon in France
- Anarchist demonstration of 1 May in Paris Annual event
- Cannes Classics
School holidays in May
When schools are off, family travel peaks and prices rise.
- Apr 18, 2027 – May 2, 2027 Spring Holidays8 regions
- May 6, 2027 – May 9, 2027 Ascension Bridge15 regions
- May 6, 2027 – May 18, 2027 Holidays after fourth periodReunion
Public holidays in May
- Labour Day
- Ascension Day
- Victory in Europe Day
- Whit Monday
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in France in May?
Average daytime highs range from 16° in Chamonix to 23° in Avignon.
Can you swim in France in May?
The sea is cool: the warmest water is around Cannes at about 18°.