The Côte d’Azur and Nice in October: All You Need To Know

Nice, and the surrounding area of the Côte d’ Azur, is one of the best destinations in France to visit in the fall. With the mix of hilltop cities like St Paul de Vence and Èze, and beach towns like Menton and Antibes, there is no surprise that Nice is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe. Like many popular holiday destinations, the French Riviera can get pretty busy during the summer, which makes October the perfect month for your off-season vacation. Before booking your 7 day vacation in Nice at the end of October, I was sceptical as to how the weather would be – to the point that I had accepted we would be wearing coats and jumpers every day. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by how great the weather was for the week we were there!

In this guide to visiting the French Riviera and Nice in October, I will answer all your questions about visiting this gem in the off season.

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Visiting Nice and the Côte de Azur in October

Is Nice worth visiting in October?

Believe it or not, October is one of the best times to visit Nice. With October being at the end of the tourist season, and Nice being one of the largest cities in France, most of the shops, restaurants and museums are still open all through the autumn. You can expect much less tourists at this time of year, while the weather is still pleasant (possibly even better conditions for exploring the nearby towns of the French Riviera than in the middle of summer).

Is it warm in Nice in October?

Yes. Visiting Nice in October you can expect the temperature to be around the low to mid 20’s (Celsius) (68 Fahrenheit), with the evenings being colder. At the end of October when we spent one week on the French Riviera, it was around 20 degrees centigrade every day and 8 to 12 degrees (46 – 53 Fahrenheit) in the evenings.

On average, Nice experiences around 300 days of sun a year, with around 7 days of rain in the month of October. This means that although there is a possibility for rain during your stay, most days should be pleasant.

Is the South of France nice in October?

Yes, the south of France is a lovely place to visit in October. Temperatures are still relatively warm meaning you can still swim and have a few beach days, but cool enough for other activities such as hiking and exploring nearby villages like St Paul de Vence and Èze.

Can you swim in the French Riviera in October?

Yes. While the weather is not as warm as it is in the summer months, it is still warm enough to swim in Nice in October. Unfortunately the October weather means that there is more wind at this time of year and a lot of beaches experience higher tides. If this is a problem for you, then you can just head to the more protected beaches such as Plage Paloma near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferratt, Plage des Sablettes in Menton, and all the beaches in Antibes.

Are things still open in the French Riviera in October?

While some places, such as the beach clubs, have started closing down for the season, most things on the French Riviera are still open in October. This means that unfortunately you won’t get to see the iconic umbrellas of Ruhl Plage. However, this too has its benefits. When the beach clubs close down, there is much more public space open for swimming in Nice and the surrounding beaches such as Plage Paloma.

Things to do in Nice if it rains

While the weather in October is lovely, there is a change of a few rainy days throughout the month. Luckily, there are a lot of different activities you can do to fill these so not to affect your trip. In Nice, you can always visit a museum. A few of the best ones in the city are; The Matisse Museum, The Nice Museum of Modern Art (MAMAC), The Archaeology Museum of Nice, and the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre. Alternatively, you can head out on a day trip to Antibes and visit the Musee d’Histoire et d’Archeologie (History and Archaeology museum) or the Picasso Museum.

October in Nice: Fall in the French Riviera

October is the perfect time to visit Nice and the Côte d’Azur, with fewer tourists and perfect temperatures for a mix of beach days, hikes and day trips from Nice. While the weather is slightly more unpredictable and there is a chance of rain, there are still many indoor activities to keep you busy on these days!

Want more tips? Here’s all my French Riviera guides: