Cannes Weather And Best Time To Visit Cannes

Cannes is a breathtakingly beautiful city located in the French Riviera, along the south-eastern coast of France. Home to luxury and decadence, the city is automatically associated with its namesake film festival that requires no introduction today. But it is worth noting that Cannes’ reputation doesn’t just identify with its numerous festivals. Your options with the local attractions will often vary depending on the timing of your visit. With a predominantly Mediterranean climate, Cannes enjoys warm summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall during the autumn season. Sunbathing on the beach, trying the delicious local cuisine and strolling through the lesser-known sights of the city are some of the highlights to look forward to when visiting Cannes. Here is a detailed account of the different seasons and the best time to plan a trip to Cannes.

The long, warm days of summer in Cannes attract the most number of tourists, making this the most popular season to vacation in this city. The daytime temperatures frequently hit 30⁰C and average around 25⁰C. The weather during this season isn’t just sunny and hot, but it is also the driest time of the year that brings in crowds of beach-loving tourists. August is usually the most crowded month for the whole of French Riviera; this is also the time when locals have their summer holidays and can be seen out on beaches and other tourist-favourite spots. Hotel and rental rates are naturally higher during this season as well.

The early fall season is also a good time to plan a visit to Cannes. The temperatures during this time are still warm, ranging around the early double digits, and the weather still relatively dry up till September. During the latter half of the season, rains become more frequent and continue to increase as winters approach. As the tourists begin to leave, hotel rates go down as well.

Winters in Cannes are not as bitter as those witnessed in the interior regions of France. However, it is still the off-season of the year with temperatures dropping below 10⁰C for these three months and occasional rainfall associated with the climate as well. Depending on the kind of experience you are looking for when visiting Cannes, a trip during the mundane winters might prove to be a fun experience if you are the kind who prefers quieter vacations in colder regions. Travellers should keep in mind though that many restaurants and hotels remain closed during the winters in Cannes; these are the establishments that focus most of their business on the peak-season tourists. 

While the weather during the spring season is mild and pleasant and can be a good time to plan a short visit, the weather is still relatively cold during the early spring months to warrant any kind of beach activities. However, the Cannes Film Festival that is held in the month of May every year does bring in large crowds of tourists and celebrities to the city; the latter half of the spring season usually ends up being one of the busiest times of the year with expensive accommodation rates. Travellers often have to book at least six months in advance if planning a trip to Cannes during this time of the year.