The best time to visit Cannes is May, June, September and October, when average highs land in the comfortable low-to-mid 20s and the sea air stays inviting. June sees an average high of 26.3 °C with just 5 rain days, while October holds a mild 21.6 °C, making both ends of the season pleasant for walking La Croisette. July and August are peak season, hottest at 29.8 °C in August but crowded with school-holiday visitors and higher prices. Winter is the quiet low season, cooler and calmer, with January averaging 12.8 °C.
Best months MayJuneSeptemberOctober
Cannes month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.8 °C | 5.5 °C | 7 | 7.3 h |
| February | 13.9 °C | 6.5 °C | 7 | 8.2 h |
| March | 15.6 °C | 7.7 °C | 7 | 9.7 h |
| April | 17.9 °C | 10.5 °C | 7 | 10.9 h |
| May | 21.4 °C | 13.9 °C | 10 | 12.1 h |
| June | 26.3 °C | 18.8 °C | 5 | 13.8 h |
| July | 29.3 °C | 21.4 °C | 3 | 14.2 h |
| August | 29.8 °C | 21.8 °C | 3 | 12.7 h |
| September | 25.8 °C | 17.9 °C | 6 | 10.8 h |
| October | 21.6 °C | 14.4 °C | 8 | 8.7 h |
| November | 16.7 °C | 9.6 °C | 10 | 7.5 h |
| December | 13.8 °C | 6.6 °C | 7 | 7.1 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Great for warm days and long light; May shines despite occasional showers.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is ideal; July and August suit beach lovers who don't mind crowds and heat.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September and October are among the best months — warm sea, softer crowds.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Worth it for calm sightseeing and mild strolls, if not for swimming.
Notable events
- May
- Cannes Film Festival
- June
- Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
- July
- Bastille Day celebrations and fireworks
- July–August
- Festival International d'Art Pyrotechnique (fireworks festival)
Frequently asked
Is Cannes too hot in August?
August is the hottest month with average highs of 29.8 °C and just 3 rain days. It's warm but rarely extreme thanks to sea breezes — the bigger drawback is peak-season crowds.
What is the rainiest month?
May, November and October see the most wet days: May and November each have 10 rain days, and October has 8. May still enjoys 12.1 hours of sunshine a day, so showers pass quickly.
Is winter worth visiting?
Winter is the quiet season, mild rather than warm — January averages 12.8 °C with 7.3 hours of sunshine a day. It's pleasant for sightseeing and calm walks, but too cool for the beach.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Cannes area guide →
Areas of Cannes
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Cannes — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.