For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in France during October have been around +18°C.
In France the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +18°C in Perpignan to +15°C in Lille. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in October
Average
Ajaccio
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Lille
Rennes
Toulouse
Perpignan
Mulhouse
Grenoble
☀️
+18°C
Avg. max. temperature
-5°C
Min.
+35°C
Max.
90 mm
Total precipitation
79%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
6 ☀️
Sunny Days
9 ⛅️
Cloudy
15 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: France has OK weather in October.
France in October – what city is the…
rainiest? Montpellier, with an average of 4 mm of rain and humidity of 74%;
warmest? Perpignan, with daytime temperatures averaging +21°C;
windiest? Marseille, with an average of 5 m/s;
coolest? Lille, with daytime temperatures averaging +15°C;
How good is the weather in France in October?
During October, the France is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1016 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in October ranges between 71% in Nice and 85% in Mulhouse.
Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +18°C in average daily temperature.
This is how hot it usually is in October
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in France. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for October:
Average
Ajaccio
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Lille
Rennes
Toulouse
Perpignan
Mulhouse
Grenoble
Average maximum temperature for the month: +18°C;
Average minimum temperature for the month: +11°C;
Highest monthly temperature: +21°C;
Lowest monthly temperature: +9°C;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Ajaccio
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Lille
Rennes
Toulouse
Perpignan
Mulhouse
Grenoble
Warmest: July with an average +26°C during the day;
Coldest: January with an average +9°C of the day;
Hottest month in hottest city: July in Perpignan;
Coldest month in coolest city: January in Lille;
Winds in France during October
Wind speed in France in October based on historical data:
Average
Ajaccio
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Lille
Rennes
Toulouse
Perpignan
Mulhouse
Grenoble
October tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in October:
Highest average wind speed: Marseille with 5 m/s;
Lowest average wind speed: Grenoble with 1 m/s;
Windiest day of the month: Marseille with 6 m/s;
The least windy day of the month: Mulhouse with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in France in October
Amount of rainfall in mm during October in France based on historical data:
Average
Ajaccio
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Lille
Rennes
Toulouse
Perpignan
Mulhouse
Grenoble
October tends to be an extremely humid month with 75% humidity and 70 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.
Comparison between cities in October:
Average
Ajaccio
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Lille
Rennes
Toulouse
Perpignan
Mulhouse
Grenoble
Highest average rainfall: Montpellier with 133 mm;
Lowest average rainfall: Toulouse with 61 mm;
Most number of rainy days: Lille with 18 rainy days;
Least number of rainy days: Nice with 9 rainy days;
Highest risk of rain during the day: Lille with 58%;
Least risk of rain during the day: Nice with 29%;
Highest average humidity: Mulhouse with 85%;
Lowest average humidity: Nice with 71%;
Tips for traveling to France in October
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for France? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the France based on the weather that October is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
rainy, mild weather with light winds and very high humidity in October
Pack right for October
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in France in October:
What can you do outside when it's warm in France?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is October a good time to visit France?
It’s always a good time to visit France, but the weather is changeable in October, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in France, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.