Going to work in the fog, going out to lunch in the pouring rain, spending the day freezing, and returning under the threat of clouds… does that ring a bell? Well know that grayness is not inevitable! Go on vacation to France, or even move to the sunniest city in France! Where to go? We tell you everything!
Before revealing the big winner, you better know what we're talking about. To establish this ranking, the World Weather Online site counted the average number of hours of sunshine per month between 2009 and 2022.
France being a very vast territory, this figure will therefore be very variable depending on the latitude, the reliefs, but also the direction and nature of the winds. Unsurprisingly, the further south you go, the more sunshine there isand with it milder or warmer temperatures depending on the season.
But more than just numerical data, sunshine influences many aspects of our lives. It is proven, the sun is good for our mental healthespecially for people who tend to suffer from seasonal depression or sluggishness when the weather is really gloomy. In fact, sunlight increases our production of serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood!
Physical health is not left out since the sun is the main source of vitamin D brought to our body. This is essential for the proper functioning of the body, in particular for the consolidation of bones and teeth. However, it is essential to protect your skinthe sun being the leading cause of skin cancers, but also of aging. So arm yourself with good sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat before relaxing!
The sunniest city in France is…
Now that you imagine the sun's rays touching your skin and aperitifs on the terrace with your friends, you can't wait to know the answer! SO, what is the French destination where the blue skies and the sweetness of life are concentrated?
The big winner is Grasse!
This is not surprising since 23 cities out of the 30 counted are located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Grasse therefore wins the prize for the sunniest city in France with a smoothed average over the year of 285 hours of sunshine per month.
Known internationally for its traditional perfumers, this charming city can be discovered all year round thanks to its omnipresent sun and mild temperatures. Besides, local weather plays a very important role in flower production. They are notably used on carnival floats in the region, and the petals are used to make subtle fragrances in the workshops of renowned perfumers.
In the top 5, we find 4 other municipalities in the Alpes-Maritimes :
- Antibesrenowned for its splendid beaches bordered by turquoise water. It accumulates 284.98 hours of sunshine.
- Cagnes-sur-Mera typical village on the Côte d'Azur, is neck and neck as it has 284.94 hours of sunshine per month.
- Cannesan emblematic city of cinema, which welcomes the stars under a very present sun.
- Nicewhich we will talk about below.
Other sun-drenched destinations
Globally, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Occitanie and Corsica regions receive much more sunshine than the rest of the country. Furthermore, we can notice that in the south, the Basque Country is the big absentee of this ranking of the sunniest city in France, with only 168 hours of sunshine per month in Biarritz in 2022. This is explained by the presence of the Pyrenees mountain range, which blocks the clouds above the region, now thus a very humid climate.
Obviously, overseas territories are even more spoiledsuch as Polynesia, Reunion, or Guadeloupe. But if we focus on the metropolis, here are the cities that will charm you with their pleasant climate:
Nice, the star of PACA
The Bay of Angels, the lilting accent of the South, and the terrace restaurants in the historic center… Nice is all that, and much more! With so many tourist attractions and mild temperatures throughout the yearnothing more is needed to attract visitors. Recently, Nice has even dethroned Marseille since it now arrives in 5th position in the ranking of the sunniest city in France. So, take advantage of your stay to stroll in the shade of the orange trees, stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, enjoy a Niçoise salad, and work on your tan!
Marseille, which has long remained the sunniest city in France!
The Phocaean city was for a long time at the top of the global rankings. Today supplanted by municipalities in the Alpes-Maritimes, we can still say that they are all in the same pocket, since we are talking about a difference of around 8 hours per month. Marseille therefore remains a perfect place to put your suitcases for a few days, or its moving boxes for long-term installation! In addition, access by train, plane or car is extremely easy from most major cities in France. Visit the Good Mother under the blue sky, ice cream cones on the port, and swimming in the coves are yours!
Ajaccio, the sunniest city in France in the Mediterranean
The best time to visit Ajaccio in complete tranquility is winter. Because even if summer is much warmer and the off-seasons are very pleasant, you will hardly come across any tourists during this period. This Corsican town is located in the southwest of the island, between sea and mountain. It is certainly not the sunniest city in France but, with Bastia in the north of the island, they form splendid destinations for spending holidays in the sun. In addition, it is very easy to get there thanks to the ferry lines and the airport. On site, you will enjoy beautiful golden sandy beachesthe Sanguinaires Islands, andvaried cultural attractions :
- The Bonaparte House Museum, birthplace of Napoleon
- The Fesch Palace, home to masterpieces by Italian masters in the excellent Museum of Fine Arts
- The imperial chapel with its superb, finely decorated dome
But a trip to Ajaccio would not be complete without a trip to the market. Come on an empty stomach to taste the many local products: cold meats, cheese, and fruit… Something to do for you an impromptu picnic full of flavors!
Montpellier, a concentrate of Occitanie
Certainly it is not the sunniest city in France, since it comes in 29th position in the list. But if you want to live in the sun, this is still a very good option, because it almost counts 259 hours of clear skies per month. This is all the more interesting as the cost of living in Montpellier is very advantageous for such a dynamic city in the south.
It is very pleasant to live in with its famous Place de la Comédie, its historic heart called l'Écusson, its astonishing cathedral, and its pretty botanical garden. Languedoc also knows how to charm visitors with its delicious sunny fruits and vegetables, its fougasses, and its small local wines. But if you come to pass festive holidaysno worries! Montpellier is a student city with many bars and performance halls where you can dance until the morning. And for nature lovers, there are beautiful hikes around the peaks near the town, as well as caves to explore.
Toulon, a city on a human scale
Want to combine privacy and blue skies? Toulon could well become your favorite destination. Because, unlike many other cities in the ranking, this one is on a human scale. It is the perfect balance between dynamism and quiet neighborhood life. Be careful, vacationers sometimes fall in love instantly and never want to leave! In Toulon, you will notably see the harbor, Mont Faron (accessible by cable car), and superb heavenly coves. If you fall on a match day, don't hesitate to go to the Mayol stadium to support the excellent rugby team and enjoy the third half atmosphere.
So what will be the sunniest city in France Who will be your preference? In any case, don't forget the glasses and the sunscreen when you pack your bags. Also find our ranking of microclimates in France. And for another experience more originaldiscover the midnight sun in Norway!
