What's the Weather like in Marseille in September
There has never been a better time to travel to Marseille, France. Once a historic centre, dating from as far back as 600 BC, the city has undergone significant rejuvenation since it was announced as the European Capital of Culture for 2013. This once quiet city has transformed, with state-of-the-art transportation systems, five star hotels, and some of the most interesting amenities and attractions in the country.
Rainfall
Rainfall remains a low 30mm on average over the course of September, similar to the precipitation levels in August, and to the levels in nearby Montpellier. There are 7 days with rainfall this month, meaning, of course, that there are also 23 days without rainfall. The chance that rainfall occurs increases from 20% to 27% in the course of Septembereptember is the fourth-driest month of the year, after July, August and June, the summer months in other words. The two most likely types of rainfall in September are moderate rain and thunderstorms, which occur on 46% and 39% of the days with rainfall respectively. Light rain might occur as well, but is far less likely, occurring on 13% of those days.
Temperature
Temperatures begin to drop as the summer transforms into autumn. The average temperature is 21°C, which is still very, very pleasant by all accounts. Ranging between 16°C at night and 26°C during the day, the temperatures during this month remain quite comfortable, and may be more suited to those who aren't keen on the very high heats of summer. Both the low and high temperatures decrease throughout the month, respectively from 17°C to 14°C and from 27°C to 23°C. Swimming is still very much possible in September with an average sea temperature of 22°C, which is the highest of the year.
Cloud Cover
Cloud cover increases from 24% to 35%. These percentages are still categorised as "mostly clear", although it is obvious that the weather begins to move toward autumn now. The sky slowly gets cloudier, sunshine gradually decreases. There are 8 sunshine hours per day on average, a two-hour drop since August, but still two hours more than in October.
Marseille Hotels in September
Hotel Saint Ferreol
Hotel Saint Ferreol is a three-star hotel in the heart of Marseille that offers 19 rooms for a reasonable price. All rooms have sound-proofed windows to ensure a good night's sleep, and breakfast is served up each morning. The staff here are very knowledgeable and are more than happy to recommend attractions, eateries, and bars in the vicinity. It lies on Saint Ferreol Street, a nice pedestrianised street in the city centre. Many attractions are within walking distance, ideal for exploring the city while enjoying the warm September weather.
New Hotel of Marseille
Also recommended as a place to stay is the fantastic four-star New Hôtel of Marseille. It is located a five-minute walk from the Old Port as well as the beach. It's housed in a striking building that incorporates a 19th-century structure and modern architecture. Amenities include, but aren't limited to, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar, a business centre, an indoor patio and even an art gallery.
Alize Hotel
Located right at the Old Port, the wonderful three-star Alizé Hotel is another fantastic option. Housed in an 18th-century building on the well-known Quai des Belges, this excellent hotel faces the Old Port and is filled with charm and history. Of the 36 rooms, 16 have views of the harbour and the sea beyond. You can enjoy a great breakfast in the first-floor breakfast room, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Beaches in Marseille for September
Together with August, September boasts the warmest sea temperatures of all months2°C on average. If you're travelling with little children, Plage de la Pointe Rouge is a perfect place to enjoy the sunshine and go swimming. With its warm, soft sand and shallow water, this beach is ideal for families. In summer, the beach gets quite crowded and facilities are plentiful, ranging from food stalls to water sports equipment rental services.
The Plages de Cobière consist of three artificial beacheslages de la Nave, de la Batterie and du Fortin. The two first are sand beaches, the latter is a pebble beach. They're all very easy to reach from the city centre and are equipped with a first-aid post, showers and a picnic area. A nearby boating centre rents out equipment for kayaking, sailing and various other water sports.
Eating and Drinking Out
Travellers who enjoy fish dishes, especially shellfish, should book a table at Chez Toinou, a seafood and oyster bar in the city centre. All fish is incredibly fresh, and diners can pick and choose their platters from a wide choice of shrimp, snails, mussels and much more. Although focused on the fish, the accompanying bread products and range of flavoured butters are a noteworthy addition.
For some class and culture, make your way to Les Arcenaulx, a highly regarded restaurant with its own library. There, you can enjoy delicious food in a setting reminiscent of an old libraryooks are stacked on shelves all over the place. There's an actual bookshop as well.
Things to Do in Marseille in September
As part of its dedicated to the arts and culture, Marseille hosts many music festivals throughout the year, including Marsatac which takes place in September. Although the festival originally started as a way to promote local artists on the electronic music scene, it has since expanded and is now an international festival showcasing the best in electronic, rock, and African sounds. Around 23,000 music lovers attend this festival each year.
Take advantage of the warm afternoon temperatures (up to 26°C) and visit Calanques National Park. This area consists of breathtaking steep limestone cliffs that drop into the crystal-clear water of the Mediterranean Sea. Located near the popular tourist village of Cassis, this is a spectacular stretch of coastline, also featuring some of the prettiest secluded beaches in the region. This is a wonderful place to go hikingbout 20 kilometres of trails run between Marseille and Cassiss well as scuba diving, rock climbing and boating.
