When the days stretch long and the scent of lavender and grilled fish fills the air, France comes alive with music, sunshine, and joie de vivre. Whether you’re cycling along the Loire, lounging on the Riviera, or enjoying a picnic in a Paris park, summer in France is a celebration of beauty, culture, and relaxation.
Let’s dive into everything that makes summer in France unforgettable.
โ๏ธ Summer Weather in France: What to Expect
Summer in France (June to August) is warm, lively, and ideal for travel. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect:
- Paris & North: 20-30ยฐC (68-86ยฐF); long, sunny days with occasional showers
- South (Provence, Riviera): 28-35ยฐC (82-95ยฐF); dry, hot, and perfect for the beach or lavender fields
- Mountains (Alps, Pyrenees): 20-25ยฐC in valleys, cooler at higher altitudes-great for hiking
- West (Brittany, Pays de la Loire): 20-25ยฐC; fresh breezes and sunshine with some refreshing rain
- Southwest (Pays Basque): 25-30ยฐC with Atlantic waves and festive towns full of energy
๐ฝ๏ธ French Summer Food: Light, Seasonal & Irresistible
French summer cuisine leans toward fresh, seasonal, and sun-kissed flavors. Markets overflow with ripe tomatoes, juicy melons, and fragrant herbs.
Salade Niรงoise
A true symbol of the Mediterranean, this refreshing salad originates from Nice and is bursting with color and flavor. Traditionally, it’s made with fresh tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, Niรงoise olives, green beans, anchovies or tuna, and sometimes small artichokes or bell peppers. Everything is drizzled with olive oil-never mayonnaise! Served cold, it’s the perfect light yet satisfying meal for a hot day, especially when paired with a glass of chilled rosรฉ.
Tielle Sรฉtoise
A spicy, savory seafood pie from the Mediterranean port town of Sรจte, in the Occitanie region. This round, golden tart is filled with octopus (or squid) stewed in a rich tomato sauce, seasoned with garlic, chili, olive oil, and herbs. Originally introduced by Italian immigrants in the 18th century, the Tielle is eaten cold or warm, often as street food or picnic fare. It’s bold, flavorful, and perfectly reflects Sรจte’s fishing heritage and southern spice.
Tomates Farcies
A classic of Provenรงal home cooking, these ripe summer tomatoes are hollowed out and filled with a mixture of minced meat (often pork or veal), garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, and sometimes rice. Baked in the oven and often served with the juices from the tomato and herbs de Provence, they’re both hearty and light-a comforting dish that’s usually eaten at room temperature or warm. Every French grandmother has her own twist on this dish.
Melon de Cavaillon
This sweet, juicy cantaloupe-like melon from the town of Cavaillon in Provence is a summer delicacy in France. The flesh is deep orange, intensely fragrant, and incredibly refreshing. It’s often eaten as a starter paired with thin slices of cured ham (jambon cru)-the saltiness of the meat balancing the melon’s sweetness. It’s also popular as a dessert or even blended into cold soups or cocktails. At summer markets, the scent alone will draw you in.
Clafoutis
This rustic French dessert hails from the Limousin region and is traditionally made with whole, unpitted cherries (said to add an almond-like flavor during baking). The fruit is baked in a thick, flan-like batter that sits somewhere between a pancake and custard. The result is a golden, slightly caramelized top and a soft, creamy center dotted with juicy cherries. It can also be made with other fruits like plums or apricots, but cherry clafoutis remains the classic.
Chilled Rosรฉ
Especially popular in Provence, rosรฉ is the drink of choice in summer cafรฉs and beachside terraces. Served ice-cold, it’s dry, light, and fruity, with flavors of strawberry, citrus, or melon. It’s perfect for pairing with grilled seafood, salads, or simply sipping under the sun.
Pastis
A strong anise-flavored apรฉritif beloved in the South of France. It’s usually mixed with water (5:1 ratio) which turns the liquid a milky white. Often enjoyed before meals with a bowl of olives, it’s a cultural ritual as much as a drink-evoking the slow, social rhythm of summer afternoons in Marseille.
๐ Major Summer Events in France
๐ถ La Fรชte de la Musique
When: June 21
Where: All over France
To mark the summer solstice, this nationwide music festival transforms streets, parks, and squares into open-air stages. From classical quartets in churches to DJs in courtyards and amateur bands on every corner, the entire country becomes a concert hall-free and open to all.
๐ด Le Tour de France
When: July (3 weeks)
Where: All over France
The world’s most prestigious cycling race is more than a sporting event-it’s a moving celebration of French landscapes. From Alpine climbs to sunflower-covered roads in Provence, the Tour is broadcast live and watched roadside by fans waving flags and cheering on riders with picnics and wine.
๐ญ Festival d’Avignon
When: July
Where: Avignon, Provence
One of the most important performing arts festivals in Europe, the Festival d’Avignon transforms this historic papal city into an open-air theater. Classical and contemporary plays are staged in courtyards, cloisters, and on cobbled streets. The atmosphere is electric, with artists and audiences mingling late into the warm summer nights. A must for theater lovers!
๐ก Les Fรฉrias
When: Various dates, mostly July-August
Where: Southern France (Bayonne, Nรฎmes, Dax)
These lively festivals blend tradition, music, dance, and white-and-red attire. Rooted in local bullfighting and Basque/Gascon culture, Fรฉrias are also known for their nonstop parties, open-air concerts, and street parades. Bayonne’s Fรฉria is one of the biggest, drawing hundreds of thousands in a jubilant, carnival-like atmosphere.
๐ Top French Destinations in Summer
๐งบ Paris
While many Parisians flee the capital in August, this is actually a tranquil time to enjoy the city. Streets are less crowded, cafรฉs are peaceful, and gardens like Jardin des Plantes, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and Jardin du Luxembourg are perfect for picnics and sunbathing. Don’t miss Paris Plages-temporary urban beaches along the Seine complete with lounge chairs, music, and activities.
๐๏ธ Brittany (Bretagne)
People joke that “it always rains in Brittany,” but summer reveals its hidden paradise. With turquoise waters in bays like รle de Brรฉhat, Presqu’รฎle de Crozon, and Belle-รle-en-Mer, Brittany feels tropical-without the heat. Explore dramatic coastlines, Celtic culture, and fresh seafood.
๐ Arcachon & Cap Ferret
On France’s Atlantic coast, Arcachon is famous for its oysters, beaches, and the towering Dune du Pilat-the tallest sand dune in Europe. Wander the belle รฉpoque villas of the Winter Town, or take a boat to Cap Ferret, a laid-back retreat where stars and surfers mingle. It’s perfect for dune hikes, seafood feasts, and salty sea air.
๐โโ๏ธ Pays Basque
Along the Atlantic coast near Spain, this region blends surf culture with Basque heritage. Biarritz, Guรฉthary, and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are top surf spots, while Espelette and Bayonne offer colorful villages, spicy cuisine, and lively summer festivals.
๐ Provence & the Luberon
Lavender fields in Valensole and Sault peak in early July. Visit hilltop villages like Gordes, Roussillon, and Bonnieux, and explore local markets bursting with produce, pottery, and herbs. Enjoy rosรฉ on a shaded terrace as cicadas sing.
๐ฐ Loire Valley
Ideal for cycling or slow travel, summer lets you explore chรขteaux like Chenonceau, Amboise, and Villandry in full bloom. Pack a picnic and ride along the Loire River, where sunflowers and vineyards stretch to the horizon.
๐ Alsace
The villages along the Route des Vins d’Alsace look like gingerbread towns, and in summer they overflow with flowers. Try wine tasting in Colmar, Eguisheim, or Ribeauvillรฉ, and enjoy cooler nights in this eastern corner of France.
โ๏ธ The French Riviera (Cรดte d’Azur)
Summer in the Riviera means sunny days in Nice, Antibes, or Menton. Lounge on pebble beaches, stroll through old towns, and explore coastal trails like the Sentier du Littoral. Avoid the crowds by visiting รles de Lรฉrins or staying in smaller towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer.
๐ How to Dress for Summer in France
French summer style is about comfort, elegance, and practicality.
๐ Clothing Tips
- Light, breathable fabrics: Linen shirts, cotton dresses, and flowy trousers
- A wide-brim hat or straw fedora: Stylish and protects from the sun
- A light scarf or shawl: Useful for cooler evenings or covering shoulders in churches
๐ Shoes
- Comfortable sandals or sneakers: Essential for walking city streets or country paths
- Flip-flops: For beaches only-rarely worn elsewhere in France
- Espadrilles: Chic and summery, perfect for towns and terraces
๐งด Accessories
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: Especially in Provence or Brittany
- A reusable water bottle: Many towns have public fountains
- Swimsuit and towel: Always useful, even in cities with pools or rivers
Learn More with Atelier An Phu
Summer in France is a time of music, flavor, and exploration. From surf towns to lavender fields, every region invites you to discover its unique rhythm. And if you want to connect more deeply with this culture, why not learn the language?
Atelier An Phu offers tailored French courses for all levels in Ho Chi Minh City. Prepare for your next trip or enrich your cultural experience-your first class is free!
Contact us today to reserve your trial and start your French journey.
