France

France Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in France in January.

Planning a getaway to France this January and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in France in January

The weather in France in January can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from very cold to mild and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. The month of January is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Aussois at -5°C (23°F) to mild in Bonifacio at 14°C (57°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 10°C (50°F) in Bonifacio and -13°C (9°F) in Aussois. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

For a closer look at conditions across France, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Esparron-de-Verdon with an average of 52 mm (2 in) to heavy rainfall in Servoz with 163 mm (6.4 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine tends to be more scarce in many locations. Paris gets roughly 63 hours of sunlight. For sunnier alternatives, check our weather planner to find destinations with better conditions.

Explore France by month

Best Places to Visit in France in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across France.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in France

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in France?

Temperature range in France (January)

Precipitation variation in France (January)

Paris

In January Paris generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
9°C (48°F)
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
58 hours
63 hours
88 hours
Monthly rainfall
77 mm (3 in)
61 mm (2.4 in)
60 mm (2.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Cannes

In January Cannes generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
12°C (54°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
6°C (43°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
150 hours
159 hours
Monthly rainfall
83 mm (3.3 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
65 mm (2.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Nice

In January Nice generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
12°C (54°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
150 hours
159 hours
Monthly rainfall
86 mm (3.4 in)
70 mm (2.8 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Lyon

In January Lyon generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C (34°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
1°C (34°F)
1°C (34°F)
Monthly sun hours
54 hours
72 hours
101 hours
Monthly rainfall
83 mm (3.3 in)
78 mm (3.1 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
16 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

In January Chamonix-Mont-Blanc generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C (27°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C (10°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-3°C (27°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-11°C (12°F)
-12°C (10°F)
-11°C (12°F)
Monthly sun hours
75 hours
70 hours
120 hours
Monthly snowfall
168 mm (6.6 in)
151 mm (5.9 in)
139 mm (5.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in France.

In our records: France January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in France in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest January daytime high in France was -14°C (7°F) in Colmar on January 12, 1987.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in France in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Paris 8°C (46°F) 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Cannes 12°C (54°F) 6°C (43°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Lyon 8°C (46°F) 1°C (34°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc -3°C (27°F) -12°C (10°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Marseille 12°C (54°F) 3°C (37°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Biarritz 13°C (55°F) 7°C (45°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)

France weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in France in January?

Expect poor weather across France in January. The popular destination of Paris averages 8°C (46°F) by day and 2°C (36°F) at night during this winter month.

What is the average temperature in France in January?

Paris averages a daytime maximum of 8°C (46°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 2°C (36°F).

Does France get a lot of rain in January?

January is on the drier side in France. Paris averages only about 61 mm (2.4 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit France?

In our opinion, January may not be the ideal time to visit France due to the typically poor weather in Paris.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in May, June, July, August and September offering mostly perfect weather in Paris. In contrast, January, February and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in France.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to France? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in France.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.