The Côte d'Azur in August: Our complete guide!

Fancy a trip to the Côte d’Azur in August?
Find out if the region is right for you at this time of year, with our comprehensive guide to climate, travel conditions, crowds, prices, attractions and events.

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

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Going to the Côte d’Azur in August: quick answers

Best attractions on the Côte d’Azur in August

Côte d’Azur climate in August – weather forecast

August temperatures on the Côte d’Azur

Rain and Wind

Sunshine

Water temperature – swimming on the Côte d’Azur in August

Crowds and other conditions

August events on the Côte d’Azur

August prices

Other months

Going to the Côte d’Azur in August: quick answers

What’s the weather like on the Côte d’Azur in August? Is this a good time to visit?

August is an excellent time to visit the Côte d’Azur. The weather is generally magnificent, with warm, sunny days perfect for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities. This is the heart of the summer season, ideal for Mediterranean vacations, although the beaches are often crowded.

WHERE TO STAY ON THE Côte d’Azur

Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:

Or, if you’ve chosen your destination, the best hotels in:

Travelling on the Côte d’Azur in August – summary of conditions

Temperatures
Average August temperatures on the Côte d’Azur are very pleasant, with highs reaching around 27°C (81°F). The heat is very much in evidence, making for a very pleasant summer atmosphere. At night, temperatures rarely fall below 20°C (68°F), contributing to mild evenings. The sea breeze brings a little coolness, but the heat remains predominant.

Water temperatures
The average August sea temperature on the Côte d’Azur is around 23°C (73°F). This is the warmest time of the year, making swimming particularly pleasant. The sea is inviting and refreshing, perfect for swimming and water sports.

Crowds and prizes
August is the busiest month on the Côte d’Azur. Beaches, restaurants and attractions are crowded, especially during the first two weeks. Prices are at an all-time high, whether for accommodation, catering or activities. This is the high season par excellence.

Opening conditions
In August, all establishments are open and operating at full capacity. Restaurants, hotels, bars and attractions welcome visitors with extended opening hours. However, it is strongly recommended to book in advance, as demand is very high and places may be limited.

Length of day
Daylight on the Côte d’Azur in August is at least 13 hours long, giving plenty of time to explore the region.

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Best attractions on the Côte d’Azur in August

In August, we loved it:

Explore Menton’s old town and its colorful facades,
Take a bike ride on the island of Porquerolles,
Discover the beauty of the calanques by boat,
Visit Saint-Tropez, a mythical town on the Côte d’Azur,
Swimming in the warm waters of Plage de la Garoupe,
A stroll through the Fort Carré park in Antibes
…

See our article on the best attractions on the Côte d’Azur.

And lots of activities like these:

HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities

Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques
Helicopter flight from Cannes
Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif

Côte d’Azur climate in August – weather forecast

August weather on the Côte d’Azur is typically Mediterranean: hot, dry and sunny. The days are long and bright, with often brilliant blue skies. The heat can be intense, especially in the middle of the day, but is generally softened by the sea breeze blowing in from the Mediterranean. Evenings remain warm, ideal for terrace dining and evening strolls.

The weather is remarkably stable during this period, with very little precipitation. Thunderstorms are rare but can occur. Humidity is relatively low, making the heat more bearable than elsewhere.

The vegetation is magnificent, with lavender in bloom in the hinterland and lush coastal gardens. It’s an ideal time to enjoy beaches, terraces and outdoor activities, although the heat can sometimes be overwhelming in the middle of the day.

August temperatures on the Côte d’Azur

August temperatures on the Côte d’Azur are generally warm, around 30°C (86°F) during the day. However, heat spikes are not uncommon, with days when the mercury can climb above 35°C (95°F).

Temperatures in Nice:

Average daytime temperature: 28°C (82°F)
Average night-time temperature: 21°C (70°F)

Temperatures in Cannes:

Average daytime temperature: 29°C (84°F)
Average night-time temperature: 20°C (68°F)

Temperatures in Saint-Tropez:

Average daytime temperature: 30°C (86°F)
Average night-time temperature: 19°C (66°F)

Temperatures in Cassis:

Average daytime temperature: 29°C (84°F)
Average night-time temperature: 18°C (64°F)

OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
There is a lot of demand, book it early.

See the cars

See our tips

Rain and Wind

August rainfall on the Côte d’Azur is generally scarce. When it does rain, it’s often brief, intense showers, typical of the Mediterranean climate. These rains are often welcome as they bring temporary refreshment. Summer thunderstorms can sometimes occur, especially at the end of the day or in the evening, but they are generally short-lived.

Rainfall in Nice: 5 to 15 mm
(on average 2 days)
Rainfall in Cannes: 5 to 15 mm
(on average 2 days)
Rainfall in Saint-Tropez: 5 to 15 mm
(over 3 days on average)
Rainfall in Cassis: 0 to 10 mm
(on average 1 day)

The generally calm air accentuates the sensation of heat, particularly in the middle of the day. This lack of wind keeps temperatures high, making the atmosphere stifling at times, especially in urban areas far from the coast.

Sunshine

In August, the sun rises around 6:30 am and sets around 8:30 pm.

The Côte d’Azur enjoys excellent sunshine, with an average of 10 to 12 hours of sunshine a day. The skies are often bright blue, almost cloudless, making this month particularly bright and ideal for outdoor activities and sunbathing sessions. However, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun, which is particularly intense at this time of year.

Water temperature – swimming on the Côte d’Azur in August

In August, sea temperatures on the Côte d’Azur peak at around 24°C (75°F), offering ideal conditions for swimming and water sports. This warmth is fairly uniform along the coast, with only slight variations due to bays and currents.

The beaches are perfect for swimming, and even the more secluded coves, such as those around Cassis, enjoy pleasantly warm water. It really is the best time of year to enjoy the Mediterranean.

Water temperature in Nice: 24°C (75°F)
Water temperature in Saint-Tropez: 24°C (75°F)
Water temperature in Cassis: 22°C (72°F)

Crowds and other conditions

August is the busiest month on the Côte d’Azur. Beaches, restaurants and attractions are packed, especially during the first two weeks. Reservations are essential for hotels and restaurants.

Coastal roads can be congested, especially around Saint-Tropez. Opening hours are generally extended to accommodate the influx of visitors. Vegetation is in full bloom in the hinterland, offering magnificent scenery. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere is festive and lively, typical of the high summer season.

August events on the Côte d’Azur

Jasmine Festival in Grasse
Celebrated at the beginning of August, it honors the city’s emblematic flower with a spectacular flower parade. Jasmine-decorated floats parade through the streets, accompanied by scented flower battles, concerts and entertainment. This festive event celebrates the blooming of the jasmine, a precious flower for the perfume industry.
The Cannes Pyrotechnics Festival
This spectacular festival brings together the world’s top fireworks experts for grandiose fireworks competitions fired from barges on the Bay of Cannes. Every evening of the competition, thousands of visitors come to watch the fireworks, which rival each other in originality and beauty.
Les Médiévales
In many towns and villages on the Côte d’Azur, these festivals plunge visitors into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, with medieval markets, knight tournaments, jugglers, musicians and troubadours. The alleyways are filled with period costumes and craft demonstrations, creating a journey back in time for young and old alike.
Fishermen’s Night in Toulon
Held every year in early August at the Port Saint-Louis du Mourillon, Nuit des Pêcheurs celebrates the sea and its riches through grilled fish tastings. The warm atmosphere is punctuated by concerts and waterside entertainment.
Grape festival in Fréjus
It takes place at the beginning of the month and celebrates the first grapes of the season with concerts, shows, parades and a torchlight procession through the historic heart of the town.
Commemoration of the Provence Landing
Around August 15, it brings together locals and visitors to celebrate the liberation of the region in 1944. With parades, re-enactments and entertainment, this event offers a moment of remembrance and sharing in emblematic locations such as Toulon and Saint-Raphaël.

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August prices

As everywhere, prices vary depending on what you are looking for. We offer a wide range of accommodation, from youth hostels to more luxurious hotels. This makes it difficult to give a precise budget.

However, August is the Côte d’Azur’s peak season. Prices are at their highest for all tourist services: accommodation, catering, activities. Hotels and vacation rentals can easily double their rates compared with the low season. We strongly recommend booking well in advance to get the best rates.