Winter starts in
France every mid-December, right around the holidays. Though it's admittedly rare to experience a White Christmas, various parts of the country still get extremely cold at this time of year. Do you really have to risk freezing if you want to spend winter in France? Not necessarily! There are still various parts of the country that remain relatively warm and sunny even in winter. The French Riviera is one! This array of coastal cities never gets cold, even when the rest of the country does. Of course, this includes Nice, Cannes, Marseilles, and more!
Toulon
A gem on the
French Riviera, Toulon stays the warmest French destination in winter. Just how hot does Toulon remain around this time of year? The average temperature of Toulon in December, the start of winter, is 14°C (57°F). Its average temperature in February, near the end of winter, is 13°C (55°F). Even while the rest of the country gets covered in snow, Toulon (and the rest of Southern France) remains as sunny as ever. This makes the season perfect for enjoying the coastal city's beautiful beaches and shingle coves.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Cannes
Cannes is likely the most famous town in the French Riviera. Known for its international film festival, countless A-list celebrities go here annually, some even purchase or rent their own luxury homes in Cannes. Fortunately, the city is also among the warmest French destinations in winter. Even at the peak of winter, which is usually February, the average temperature of Cannes is still 14°C (57°F). For the most part, the weather is mild and slightly chilly, but it's far less cold than other parts of the country. It's still warm enough to go out without a coat!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Marseilles
Next to Paris, Marseilles is the second-largest city in France. It's the only other metropolis apart from the French capital that has a population of over a million, further proving its status as a major city. And even prior to when the city's population reached a million, Marseilles was already a vital port town in France. The place was and has remained a central part of the country's trade and commerce. Today, it's become more known as a warm destination on the French Riviera, even in winter. Its nice balance of liveliness and idyllic rural charms helps maintain its popularity among the French and beyond.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nice
As the capital of the French Riviera's Alpes-Maritimes department, Nice has long been popular among locals and tourists alike. The city was actually founded by Greek settlers and remained a colony of Greece until France became the independent state that it is today. And since Nice is in Southern France, the city also remains warm in winter. The average temperature around this time of year ranges from 13°C (55°F) to 12°C to (53°F). Famously, Nice was also once the home of the iconic French visual artist, Henri Matisse. As a result, Musée Matisse, which houses many of his beloved works, is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Saint Tropez
If you could spend winter on the sunny coast where
Brigitte Bardot once danced on tables and got all the mean heated with her innate sensuality, that'll definitely make for a hot holiday! Luckily, you can do just that in
Saint Tropez. Famous as one of the many Mediterranean playgrounds of the rich and famous, the coastal city also remains bright and sunny in winter. The average temperature ranges from 14°C (57°F) to 13°C (55°F). You'd almost forget that it's already winter in France. Here, you can lie down on the beach and dare to wear skimpy clothes as you stroll along its cobbled streets.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Antibes
Located between the iconic city of Cannes and the popular town of Nice, Antibes is definitely among the
French Rivera's underrated destinations. Lots of locals know about it, sure, but tourists tend to overlook it for the more well-known communes nearby. Nevertheless, Antibes is among the warmest French cities in winter. And perhaps the fact that it's slightly under the radar makes it an even more worthy winter destination. Here, you can enjoy a more peaceful vacation with fewer crowds of tourists to contend with. The city's beautiful beaches and idyllic streets are all for you!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Finally, there's L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a lovely Provençal town in the Vaucluse Department. With its serene canals and flower-laden paths, the place is one of the French Riviera's best-kept secrets. In truth, however, it's not really a secret. It's just that other cities in Southern France are so famous that places like L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue often get overlooked. Well, at least you can enjoy this city to yourself! It's famous for its antiques and weekend markets that sell the most fascinating items. It often presents a treasure trove of priceless pieces that you won't find anywhere else!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Georges Seguin
Spending winter in France doesn't have to include shivering in the cold and shoveling up snow. You can escape to the warm French destinations in winter instead and enjoy as much sun and warmth as you want!
