The 12 hottest cities in France

Grey? Want to change air? Here is a top that allows you to travel to the hottest cities in France.

In France, countries with multiple facets, the temperature varies according to the regions, so there is for all tastes. However, in general, the French prefer when it is hot in order to enjoy the outdoor activities or walks that each municipality offers. Cities attracting the largest number of tourists are logically the hottest cities in France.

The sun becomes an essential criterion for many people, who see in it a source of happiness. Refuse his life, leave the roomy morosity or change the region, many think about it, and at any age. Enjoying the sun on a daily basis is the dream of many French, who are already getting sunbathed all year round.

Discover the palm of the hottest cities in France, where the sun never misses!

1. Nimes

Nîmes, located on Via Domitia, is an identity city that enjoys the status of City of Art and History. In addition to being a key city-stage in the south of France, it is memorable for its famous monuments, borrowing from History, like the Arenas or the Museum of Romanity.

Before you go to Nîmes, know that this is the hottest city in France with an average exceeding 40 degrees, so sensitive souls abstain! Every year, the Roman city beats heat records that make the city stifling. Although Nimes is beautiful, prefer to visit at another time than the summer period. Otherwise, think about taking a bottle of water, sunglasses and a hat.

If you still want to organize your holiday in the hottest city of France, know that the temperature never goes below 30 degrees even at night. Thus, the day we recommend visiting the surroundings of Nimes where the temperature is more pleasant. Why not visit Pont du Gard And on the same occasion bathing? Or maybe go for a ride. Camargue to enjoy nature and its animals. In the evening, don’t hesitate to enjoy a restaurant by the sea before returning to sleep in Nîmes. Let's pray you have the air conditioning!

2. Avignon

Avignon, the prefecture of the department of Vaucluse, has a privileged situation at the gates of Provence. However, this is not the case of its Mediterranean climate. In fact, winters and summers are dry and springs and autumns are relatively rainy. In addition, its position in the land favours unwinded canicular temperatures.

As soon as the temperatures rise, it is better to delay it City of the Popes for a sea ride or a sunbathing afternoon at the beach. Nevertheless, the city is full of architectural wonders like the Palace of the Popes or Pont d’Avignon That's worth the detour.

3. Perpignan

Perpignan is one of the hottest cities in France, particularly due to its geographical location. Located in the centre of the plain of Roussillon, the city is surrounded by the Pyrenees, the Corbières region and the Mediterranean Sea. Its position gives it the third place of the hottest cities in France because, in the summer, the temperature rises above the 35 degrees quickly.

This city enjoys more than 300 days of sun a year, which is why the heat is very strong. It is not uncommon to come out until late afternoon, as the heat is suffocating during the day. In order to link freshness and culture, you can visit the Palace of the Kings of Majorca and the Casa Xanxo, where the air is cool.

4. Ajaccio

The capital of Corsica is the gateway to the island and the department of Corsica-du-Sud. Ajaccio, located in South Corsica, is a small town under the warm climate coming from Africa. The Sirocco thus brings a dry and very hot air which helps to increase temperatures in the south of Corsica. This is why, in the summer, it is very difficult to withstand temperatures.

Nevertheless, the advantage of the island is that, thanks to the Mediterranean Sea, it is quite easy to refresh you. Enjoy a excursion by boat for a three-hour walk to discover local fauna and flora. On the programme, several stopovers in the most beautiful bays of the West Coast. And remember: sun cream and sunglasses are rigour!

5. Marseille

Why is Marseille one of the hottest cities in France? This is due in particular to its geographical setting, in the South and bordered by the sea. With more than 2500 hours of sunshine a year, Marseille is the sunniest city in France.

If you can’t stand the heat, don’t hesitate to relax on the beaches and coves of the many calanques . If you prefer to be at the expense, think about sightseeing like MuCEM or Château d’If . However, even if it is a flagship monument, we advise you to walk to the Good Mother, at the risk of suffocating under the overwhelming heat.

Likewise, Marseille promises an exceptional holiday under the sun of Midi.

6. Aix-en-Provence

Located between Marseille and Avignon, it is normal to find the city of Aix-en-Provence in the top of the hottest cities in France. Due to its position, the city of Aix en Provence has an average temperature in the summer of over 30 degrees. And just like its neighbour, Marseille, it is one of the most sunny cities in France.

Aix-en-Provence is an ideal destination for a cultural and festive stay, surrounded by the sun. Thanks to its many museums, its festival, its terroir, its vineyards, its shopping streets, its architecture and its art of living, you will necessarily fall under the charm of this beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence, despite the warmth.

There is only one thing left for you to do, enjoy the farniente in the sun, rocked by the cicadas.

7. Nice

Located between sea and mountains, Nice seduces for its sunny climate, its beautiful beaches, its Promenade des Anglais and its cultural events. The capital of the French Riviera does not lack charm to please visitors who flock during the summer. At this time, Nice becomes one of the hottest cities in France with temperatures around, on average, 28 degrees.

In addition, you are obliged to fall under the charm of its old town that is full of colorful streets and Mediterranean smells and museums. Do not pass next to the beaches that do not lack charm. Would a swim to refresh you not be the solution to this heat?

The advantage is that if you book your holiday in Nice, you are sure to go back to sunbath!

8. Alès

Located in the Gard, how would Alès have done to avoid this top of the hottest cities in France? Located about 45 kilometers north of Nîmes? in a large plain at the foot of the Cevennes massif, it is also nicknamed "the capital of the Cevennes".

Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, the temperature is almost always mild and dry at any season. In the summer, Alès often beats temperature records exceeding 40 degrees. However, when it rains, especially due to cevenol episodes, floods are frequent.

9. Montpellier

The sunshine and exceptional quality of life in Montpellier attract more visitors every year. The population has doubled in the space of forty years, and one can easily understand why!

Located a little off in the land, the city of Montpellier is experiencing an average temperature during the summer of 28 degrees. With almost 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, Montpellier makes it want to be sunshine! Moreover the Mediterranean Sea is not far so if you want to do a dive, don’t hesitate! If you prefer rivers or lakes, we recommend you go to Pont du Diable or Lake Salagou !

10. Toulon

It is not surprising to find Toulon in the ranking of the hottest cities in France!

Located in the Var, the city does not escape the heat. In the summer, temperatures easily exceed 40 degrees making the air stifling. In short, thanks to its almost permanent sunshine, the city enjoys a pleasant quality of life. Think of visiting its many monuments such as the Royal Tower or Notre-Dame-de-la-Seds Cathedral. If you prefer the action, go to a rugby game!

11. Toulouse

The "Rose City", the capital of the Occitania region, both close to the Pyrenees, the Landes coasts and the Mediterranean, enjoys a sweet life. Nevertheless, its position in the lands makes it one of the hottest cities in France. With more than 2000 hours of sunshine a year, it is very hot in Toulouse!

At the same time dynamic and full of history, Toulouse attracts many visitors who want to see the Capitole as well as the Cité de l’espace. However, in the summer, plan a bottle of water and avoid cassoulet if you do not want to suffocate during your visit.

We recommend you to visit Gouffre de Padirac , not far from Toulouse, and especially fresh air!

12. Bordeaux

To close this ranking of the hottest cities in France, we were forced to talk about the capital of Aquitaine: Bordeaux. Very beautiful city of southwest France, the living environment is peaceful and the quality of life pleasant, especially thanks to the sun! With more than 2000 hours of sunshine per year, Bordeaux finishes this top.

When you visit, if you are too hot, get close to the famous Water mirror . If the air is also stifling, go to museums where the air is better like Cité du vin . On the same occasion, you can moisturize (with moderation).

North friends, we see you coming, you will tell us that the hottest cities in France are concentrated only in the south. Unfortunately, the numbers don't lie! However, we found that the strongest peaks of heat during particle are also in the north as well as in Reims , Strasbourg or Nantes .