France, Europe

The French Riviera in February

Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival make this the best winter month. Book festival-week hotels ahead.

GoodMild, highs near 57F (14C)

Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera — The French RivieraPhoto: Patrice Semeria, Public domain

The straight answer

February is a good month to visit the French Riviera. Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival make this the best winter month. Book festival-week hotels ahead.

Weather: Mild, highs near 57F (14C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What February is like in the French Riviera

February is mild, with highs near 57F (14C), cool evenings and plenty of sunny days. It is the best winter month thanks to two big festivals: the Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival. Hotels in those towns fill up for festival weeks, but prices elsewhere stay low. Beach clubs are still closed.

February suits families, festival lovers and anyone who wants a lively winter trip. Kids love the floats and the giant fruit sculptures. It is not a swimming month, so beach lovers should pick June or September. Book festival-week hotels in Nice and Menton well ahead.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about the French Riviera this month.

Nice Carnival

Giant floats, flower parades and night parades fill the Place Massena for about two weeks. Seats in the stands are worth booking.

Menton Lemon Festival

Huge sculptures made from lemons and oranges line Menton's gardens, with parades through town.

Sunny winter days

Clear days make hill villages like Eze pleasant to explore, without summer tour groups.

What to pack for February

A warm jacket and layers
Comfortable shoes for standing at parades
Sunglasses and sunscreen for bright days
A small daypack for festival snacks and water

Our timing tip

Book a flower parade seat in Nice ahead of time, and take the coastal train to Menton rather than driving on festival days.

Book The French Riviera for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
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Opens a hotel search for The French Riviera in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
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Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The French Riviera for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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What's on in February

Nice Carnival

Two weeks in February, sometimes into early March

Giant floats, flower parades, and night parades on the Place Massena. One of the world's great carnivals.

Menton Lemon Festival (Fete du Citron)

February into early March

Enormous sculptures built from lemons and oranges, plus parades through the town.

Things to do in the French Riviera

Full guide

Old Nice and the Promenade des Anglais

The Cours Saleya market in the morning, then a walk along the seafront. Castle Hill has the classic view over the bay.

Tickets and tours →

Musee Matisse, Nice

In a hilltop villa in Cimiez, with the artist's grave nearby. Much calmer than the seafront on busy days.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

A pink Belle Epoque villa with themed gardens and musical fountains on Cap Ferrat.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Eze village

A medieval hill village with an exotic garden at the top. Go early or late to avoid tour groups.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Oceanographic Museum, Monaco

A grand museum and aquarium built into the cliff above the sea.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Fondation Maeght

Modern art in a garden setting near Saint-Paul-de-Vence, with works by Miro, Giacometti, and Chagall.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Base yourself in Nice and use the train. It is cheaper than Cannes or Monaco and avoids the summer traffic and parking problem on the coast.
Check the calendar before booking May: the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix can double hotel rates in those towns.
Go to the hill villages (Eze, Saint-Paul-de-Vence) before 10am or after 5pm, when tour coaches are gone.
Swim at smaller coves and public beaches around Villefranche, Cap d'Antibes, and Cap Ferrat rather than the central Nice and Cannes beaches in peak weeks.

Know before you go

Most private beach clubs operate from about April or May to late September or October, and close for the winter.
Saint-Tropez is highly seasonal: many shops, hotels, and restaurants close from about November to March.
Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Antibes stay fully open all year, with museums and markets running through winter.
Many Nice city museums close one day a week, often Tuesday. Check before planning a museum day.

The French Riviera in February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit the French Riviera?

February is a good month to visit the French Riviera. Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival make this the best winter month. Book festival-week hotels ahead.

What is the weather like in the French Riviera in February?

Mild, highs near 57F (14C).

Is the French Riviera crowded in February?

Crowds in the French Riviera are moderate in February; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in the French Riviera in February?

Nice Carnival (two weeks in february, sometimes into early march); Menton Lemon Festival (Fete du Citron) (february into early march).