Villefranche sur Mer enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall is highest in autumn and moderate for the rest of the year. Villefranche sits in on the east of Franceâs Mediterranean coast, the Cote dâAzur, not far from the countryâs border with Italy, and right next to Nice. This whole area is renowned for its exceptional summer weather and clear, blue sea.
Summer, from June till September, is hot, sunny and dry. The average high temperature climbs to 22°C in June, peaks at 26°C in July and August, and drops back to 23°C in September. It has been known to get into the 30s, but a sea breeze usually helps to keep the temperature in check. At night it remains very warm, staying at an average los of 18°C in the peak months, which can sometimes feel a bit sticky. Sunshine levels are fantastic throughout the season, but the sunniest month by far is July with an average of eleven hours of sunshine per day. The odd shower does fall but rarely spoils things for long. In late summer, thunderstorms are more likely than light showers. The sea is warm enough for swimming throughout summer and peaks at 23°C in August. This undeniably gorgeous weather means Villefranche sur Mer and similar locations are exceptionally popular during the summer.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Autumn, in October and November, is warm at first but cools down and sees some very heavy downpours. The average high temperature in October is 19°C but it then falls to 14°C in November. Night time temperatures can be very cool from the start of the season, getting down to an average low of 12°C in October and 7°C in November. Rain still doesnât fall very frequently, at an average of about ten days per month, but when the clouds burst they usually do so quite dramatically. The sun still manages to come out for five or six hours per day and the sea remains warm enough for swimming, though some might question this come the end of the season.
Winter, from December till February, is mild and bright, but quite chilly at night. The average high temperature falls to around 11°C for most of the season and the average low to around 4°C. Conditions are very variable â" you might get a few t-shirt days, but you might also find yourself reaching for a coat. Rainfall decreases slightly so showers become lighter, and sunshine levels maintain an average of five hours per day which is exceptional for winter in comparison to many European locations. The sea reaches its coldest in January of 13°C. Frost and snow are very rare.
Spring, form March till May, gradually gets warmer and brighter, but spring showers are relatively frequent. The average high temperature climbs up through the low teens to 15°C in April and 19°C in May. Night time temperatures remain low. Again, weather conditions are highly changeable. Sunshine levels steadily increase to an average of eight hours per day May. While the volume of rain that falls lessens, its frequency actually increases slightly, so a few drizzly days are quite likely during your stay. The sea is only just warm enough for swimming by mid May.