The month in detail
What to expect in January
In January, French Riviera sees 13°C during the day with 5.1h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (19% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
January ranks 10 out of 12 months in French Riviera. Compared to December: +0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
3°
Sea
15°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
9.1h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 20
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in French Riviera is July (9.6/10), 5.2 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · French Riviera
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · French Riviera
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · France
🗣️LanguageFrench
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 29°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 13°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘNovember · 28%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is French Riviera ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
FranceTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.6 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
43.70°N · 7.27°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit French Riviera?
July is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 21.0°C lows, 11.2h of sunshine and 6.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does French Riviera get in July?
French Riviera averages 11.2 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.5/10.
What is the rainiest month in French Riviera?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in French Riviera in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 21.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is French Riviera good in winter?
In winter (December-February), French Riviera scores 4.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 9.5/10.
When should you avoid French Riviera?
January is the most difficult month to visit French Riviera, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in French Riviera in January?
In January, the sea averages 15°C in French Riviera: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in French Riviera in January?
The average UV index reaches 2 in January in French Riviera (low), with about 9.1h of daylight. No protection needed.