Cannes

French Riviera Weather in January

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

Planning a journey to the French Riviera, France this January and curious over the weather conditions to await? Your essential details are found on this page, answering your query:

What to Expect in the French Riviera in January

The French Riviera, France is a region in France. January in the French Riviera generally has temperatures that range from cold to mild, with moderate precipitation. The month of January is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from cold in Menton at 11°C (52°F) to mild in Saint-Tropez at 13°C (55°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 7°C (45°F) in Saint-Tropez and 6°C (43°F) in Menton. On average, January is the coldest month of the year in the French Riviera, France. So be prepared and make sure to pack winter cloths.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of the French Riviera, France, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Saint-Tropez with an average of 65 mm (2.6 in) to moderate rainfall in Menton with 73 mm (2.9 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine levels are moderate in most locations. Cannes typically sees 150 hours of sunlight, creating comfortable conditions that aren't too bright or too dim. Looking for something sunnier? Our weather planner helps you discover destinations with more reliable sunshine.

Explore the French Riviera by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the French Riviera — and find the best time to visit. (based on Cannes)

Best Places to Visit in the French Riviera in January

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

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 the French Riviera

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

Temperature range in the French Riviera (January)

Precipitation variation in the French Riviera (January)

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

Saint-Tropez

In January Saint-Tropez generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 13°C (55°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
14°C (57°F)
13°C (55°F)
14°C (57°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
7°C (45°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
146 hours
150 hours
149 hours
Monthly rainfall
80 mm (3.1 in)
65 mm (2.6 in)
59 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Antibes

In January Antibes 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
84 mm (3.3 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
66 mm (2.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Saint-Raphaël

In January Saint-Raphaël generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°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)
7°C (45°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
119 hours
156 hours
167 hours
Monthly rainfall
83 mm (3.3 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the French Riviera, 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 the French Riviera in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Cannes 12°C (54°F) 6°C (43°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nice 12°C (54°F) 5°C (41°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Saint-Tropez 13°C (55°F) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Antibes 12°C (54°F) 6°C (43°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Saint-Raphaël 12°C (54°F) 7°C (45°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Menton 11°C (52°F) 6°C (43°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)

The French Riviera weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the French Riviera, France in January?

In January, the French Riviera, France generally has unpleasant weather conditions. Cannes sees daytime temperatures near 12°C (54°F), with nights cooling to roughly 6°C (43°F).

What is the average temperature in the French Riviera, France in January?

Cannes averages a daytime maximum of 12°C (54°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 6°C (43°F).

Does the French Riviera, France get a lot of rain in January?

Not particularly. Cannes averages just 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain in January, making it a mostly dry month for the French Riviera, France.

Is January a Good Time to Visit the French Riviera, France?

In our opinion, January may not be the ideal time to visit the French Riviera, France due to the typically unpleasant weather in Cannes.

On average, the best time to visit the French Riviera, France is in May, June, July, August and September with generally perfect weather in Cannes. The weather in January, February, November and December, on the other hand, tends to be unpleasant.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the French Riviera.

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.

Bucket list

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