The month in detail
What to expect in December
In December, Marseille sees 13°C during the day with 4.5h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (15% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
December ranks 9 out of 12 months in Marseille. Compared to November: −2°C daytime, 8 pts fewer rainy days, −0.5h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
6°
Sea
15°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
8.8h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 25
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Marseille is July (9.8/10), 5.4 pts higher than December.
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 · Marseille
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Marseille
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 monthJuly · 28°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 12°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘNovember · 23%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Marseille ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
FranceTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.8 → 4.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
43.30°N · 5.37°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Marseille?
July is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 20.0°C lows, 12.0h of sunshine and 5.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Marseille get in July?
Marseille averages 12.0 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in Marseille?
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 Marseille in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 20.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Marseille good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Marseille scores 4.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 9.8/10.
When should you avoid Marseille?
January is the most difficult month to visit Marseille, 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 Marseille in December?
In December, the sea averages 15°C in Marseille: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Marseille in December?
The average UV index reaches 2 in December in Marseille (low), with about 8.8h of daylight. No protection needed.