Weather in France in May – is it worth traveling to?
Is the weather good for travel in May? Find out what the weather is like in France to plan your trip accordingly.
Is the weather good in France in May 2027?
Good Weather
🌧️
RainyFor the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in France during May have been around +20°C.
In France the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +20°C in Marseille to +18°C in Rennes. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in May
Average
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Rennes
Toulouse
Grenoble
☀️
+20°C
Avg. max. temperature
-2°C
Min.
+35°C
Max.
78 mm
Total precipitation
72%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
7 ☀️
Sunny Days
7 ⛅️
Cloudy
15 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: France has good weather in May.
France in May – what city is the…
- rainiest? Grenoble, with an average of 4 mm of rain and humidity of 75%;
- warmest? Marseille, with daytime temperatures averaging +22°C;
- windiest? Marseille, with an average of 4 m/s;
- coolest? Rennes, with daytime temperatures averaging +18°C;
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How good is the weather in France in May?
During May, the France usually offers good weather overall, with air pressure around 1016 HPa. This means you may encounter some rainy weather too – May brings around 71 mm of rain and winds averaging 3 m/s. Humidity ranges between 67% in Montpellier and 77% in Biarritz. In general, it tends to be more humid near the sea and lake and drier inland.
How warm is it in France during May?
The weather is usually pretty good this time of year, with daytime temperatures around +20°C.
This is how hot it usually is in May
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 May:
Average
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Rennes
Toulouse
Grenoble
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +20°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +11°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +22°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +10°C;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Rennes
Toulouse
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 Marseille;
- Coldest month in coolest city: January in Nantes;
Winds in France during May
Wind speed in France in May based on historical data:
Average
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Rennes
Toulouse
Grenoble
May tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in May:
- 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 5 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Grenoble with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in France in May
Amount of rainfall in mm during May in France based on historical data:
Average
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Rennes
Toulouse
Grenoble
May tends to be an extremely humid month with 75% humidity and 71 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 May:
Average
Biarritz
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nantes
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Rennes
Toulouse
Grenoble
- Highest average rainfall: Grenoble with 137 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Marseille with 46 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Grenoble with 21 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Marseille with 10 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Grenoble with 68%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Marseille with 32%;
- Highest average humidity: Biarritz with 77%;
- Lowest average humidity: Montpellier with 67%;
Tips for traveling to France in May
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 May 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 May
Pack right for May
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 May:
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 May a good time to visit France?
May is a really good time to go to France. The weather is nice so plan your packing around outdoor activities and exploring. Check other months when is a good time to visit France.
Monthly weather in France
Source of the data
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.
°C
°C
Celsius
°F
Fahrenheit
GBP
