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Best time to visit Marseille: month by month
Short answer
May, June and September are best, with highs of 21–26°C, a warm sea and the Calanques usually open. July and August are hot at 28–29°C and crowded, with fire closures in the massif. Winter is mild and sunny at 11–15°C, good for city walks, though the mistral can blow hard.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11°C | 5°C | 5 | low |
| Feb | 13°C | 6°C | 6 | low |
| Mar | 14°C | 7°C | 2 | medium |
| Apr | 16°C | 9°C | 6 | medium |
| May | 21°C | 14°C | 6 | high |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | 4 | high |
| Jul | 29°C | 21°C | 1 | very high |
| Aug | 28°C | 20°C | 3 | very high |
| Sep | 25°C | 18°C | 6 | high |
| Oct | 21°C | 15°C | 5 | medium |
| Nov | 15°C | 10°C | 10 | low |
| Dec | 13°C | 7°C | 9 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs of 14–21°C and lows of 7–14°C, with few rainy days but frequent mistral; good for hiking.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and dry at 26–29°C by day and 19–21°C at night, with only 1–4 rainy days; the busiest beach season.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Warm sea in September at 25°C, cooling to 15°C in November when rain rises to about 10 days.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild and often sunny, with highs of 11–13°C and lows of 5–7°C; the mistral can make it feel colder.
Events worth planning around
- Fiesta des Suds world music festival (October).
- Feast of the Assumption procession at Notre-Dame de la Garde (15 August).
- Santon fair on the Canebière, for Provençal nativity figures (late November to December).
- Candlemas (Chandeleur) procession and navette biscuits at the Abbey of Saint-Victor (2 February).
When to avoid
Late July and August are hot and crowded, and the Calanques may be closed on high fire-risk days. Strong mistral days, mostly in winter and spring, make boat trips rough.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Marseille?
June or September: highs of 25–26°C, a warm sea and the Calanques usually open, with fewer crowds than July and August.
What is the mistral?
A strong, cold north wind that blows several days a month, mostly in winter and spring. It brings clear skies but rough seas.
Is Marseille worth visiting in winter?
Yes for the city: it is mild and sunny at 11–13°C, quieter and cheaper, though too cold for most people to swim.