France, Europe
The French Riviera in June
Swimming season starts, everything is open, and evenings are long. Before the school holidays.
The straight answer
June is one of the best months of the year to visit the French Riviera. Swimming season starts, everything is open, and evenings are long. Before the school holidays.
- Weather
- Warm and sunny, highs near 77F (25C)
- Crowds
- 4 of 5
- Prices
- 4 of 5
What June is like in the French Riviera
June is one of the best months on the Riviera. Highs sit near 77F (25C), days are sunny and long, and swimming season starts as the sea warms. Everything is open, including beach clubs and Saint-Tropez. Crowds and prices are high but still below the July and August peak, since French school holidays have not started.
June suits nearly everyone: couples, families with young kids, first-timers and beach lovers. If the Monaco Grand Prix falls in early June, expect higher prices that weekend. The only people who should pick another month are budget travelers, who will find better value in April or October.
Make the most of June
What is especially good about the French Riviera this month.
Swimming season begins
The sea warms enough for a proper swim, especially at the sandier beaches of Juan-les-Pins and Villefranche.
Long evenings
Late sunsets make dinners along the water in Nice and Antibes a highlight.
Before the summer rush
Beaches, trains and roads are busy but not packed, unlike July and August.
What to pack for June
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- Water shoes for Nice's pebble beaches
- High SPF sunscreen and a hat
- A light layer for evening breezes
Our timing tip
Book the first half of June for the best balance of warm water and fewer crowds, and take the coastal train instead of driving.
Book The French Riviera for June.
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- Hotels for June
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The French RivieraOpens a hotel search for The French Riviera in June, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in The French RivieraWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in The French RivieraTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The French Riviera for June. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in June
Monaco Grand Prix
Late May or early June
Formula 1 on the streets of Monte Carlo. Hotel prices across the coast jump that weekend.
Things to do in the French Riviera
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.
Musee Matisse, Nice
In a hilltop villa in Cimiez, with the artist's grave nearby. Much calmer than the seafront on busy days.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
A pink Belle Epoque villa with themed gardens and musical fountains on Cap Ferrat.
Eze village
A medieval hill village with an exotic garden at the top. Go early or late to avoid tour groups.
Oceanographic Museum, Monaco
A grand museum and aquarium built into the cliff above the sea.
Fondation Maeght
Modern art in a garden setting near Saint-Paul-de-Vence, with works by Miro, Giacometti, and Chagall.
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 June, quick answers
Is June a good time to visit the French Riviera?
June is one of the best months of the year to visit the French Riviera. Swimming season starts, everything is open, and evenings are long. Before the school holidays.
What is the weather like in the French Riviera in June?
Warm and sunny, highs near 77F (25C).
Is the French Riviera crowded in June?
the French Riviera is busy in June, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in the French Riviera in June?
Monaco Grand Prix (late may or early june).
Keep planning The French Riviera.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in June
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