What's the Weather like in Marseille in February
Marseille, France, has built its reputation based on its history and its cultural landscape, although the city is also celebrated for its dedication and love of sports. Football and sailing are two sports that are both very popular and very successful in Marseille, and this city in southern France has also produced one of the most famous international football players turned actors ever, Eric Cantona.
Temperature
It's still very much winter in Marseille in February, and the weather reflects this. Temperatures are similar to those in January, although perhaps a degree or two warmer on average. The average temperature this month is 8°C, which is quite comfortable compared with more the more northerly parts of Europe.
Nights get chilly; the average low temperature is 4°C. Afternoons, on the other hand, are pleasant with an average high temperature of 12°C. Both those temperatures tend to increase by a couple of degrees in the course of the month as the weather slowly makes its way toward spring. The temperature of the Mediterranean Sea reaches its annual minimum of 13°C this month. Swimming isn't encouraged at this time of year.
Day Length
February is characterised by increasing day length. February 1 is the shortest day of the month with 9.53 daylight hours, while February 28 is the longest with 11.10 hours of daylight. This 1.17-hour increase implies that each day in February is 2.6 minutes longer than the previous one. Cloud cover ranges around 41% throughout the month, dropping from 44% in the beginning to 40% at the end.
This increase in day length and tiny drop in cloud cover results in sunnier days in February than in January. Now, there are 6 hours of sunshine per day on average.
Rainfall
Rainfall remains steady at around 50mm, which is about average for the city; February is neither the wettest nor the driest of months. There are 7 days with precipitation. The probability that you will experience rainfall on any given day this month ranges around 30%. There's no significant variation throughout the month. Moderate rain is by far the most common type of rainfall, occurring on 68% of the days with precipitation. Light rain is the only other type of rainfall that you may expect, but, happening on 19% of the days with precipitation, it is far less likely. Snowfall is extremely rareot to say non-existent.
You can consult a detailed weather forecast for Marseille on this page.
Marseille Hotels in February
Le Ryad
Stay at the lively Le Ryad, which has somewhat of a Moroccan feel with its deep red and gold hues throughout. Breakfast is served up daily here, and can be enjoyed in the garden on warm and dry mornings. This boutique hotel is located in a quiet residential street and rooms may be a little more basic than some of the big name chain hotels, but the price tag is one of the most appealing aspects of this centrally located hotel.
Villa Massalia Hotel
The four-star Villa Massalia Hotel is another fantastic place to stay during your February visit to France's second-largest city. Located in the 8th arrondissement, this well-rated hotel lies near major highlights such as the Prado beaches and Borély Park. Facilities are superb and include an outdoor pool, a huge conference centre, a spa and an indoor pool. A bar and lounge offer welcome refreshments after a well-filled day of exploring.
Tonic Hotel Vieux Port
Another four-star hotel is Tonic Hôtel Vieux Port, which, as its name implies, lies in the Old Port, a major tourist hotspot in this Mediterranean city. This contemporary hotel has 56 rooms, some of which have stunning views of the harbour and sea. Its restaurant is located in the harbour itself, offering great people-watching opportunities and, of course, excellent food.
Eating and Drinking Out
L'Aromat is a popular and well-rated restaurant. This truly is an excellent restaurant, focusing on traditional local cuisine and French classics, all served in a classy and inviting setting. Its menu features everything from seafood to steaks and roasts, and from foie gras to cheese boards. Consider trying their specialty, the "hamburger de bouillabaisse."
For a fun and familiar night out, order a pint of Guinness at Le Shamrock, one of Marseille's many Irish themed pubs. With a dark wood interior, dusty floorboards and an array of shamrock-related artwork lining the walls, this is definitely a stereotypical yet pleasant place to enjoy a drink and some light bites. Check out the schedule to be sure not to miss the live entertainment.
Things to Do in Marseille in February
Each February, Marseille plays host to the Open 13 tennis tournament, played indoors at the Palais des Sports de Marseille. Held in the city since 1993, some of the biggest names in the world of tennis have enjoyed victories at this event, including Boris Becker in 1995 and Roger Federer in 2003. Tickets for the prestigious tournament are available to buy online from the prior October. If it's too chilly to be outside in the evenings or afternoonemperatures drop to 4°C at nightatching an indoor tennis match is a great option to have.
If you want to soak up some local culture, you might want to visit the Musée Regards de Provence. This fascinating museum showcases works of art made in the city of Marseille and, by extension, the region of Provence. Housed in a building that is listed as 20th-century heritaget was built in the 1940shis museum also features a great restaurant with a panoramic terrace overlooking the Old Port. In addition to organising exhibitions, this place is also particularly great for hosting private events, dinners, charities, seminars and meetings.
