The sea temperature at Villefranche-sur-Mer today is 21.2 °C (70 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 20.2 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 20.6 to 21.1 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 24.8 °C to 21.2 °C. Swimmable from June to October, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.4°C / 56.1°F | 13.7°C / 56.6°F | 14.1°C / 57.3°F |
| February | 12.8°C / 55.0°F | 13.0°C / 55.3°F | 13.1°C / 55.7°F |
| March | 12.7°C / 54.8°F | 13.0°C / 55.4°F | 13.4°C / 56.0°F |
| April | 13.5°C / 56.3°F | 14.2°C / 57.5°F | 14.8°C / 58.6°F |
| May | 15.8°C / 60.5°F | 17.1°C / 62.8°F | 18.0°C / 64.5°F |
| June | 20.3°C / 68.5°F | 21.6°C / 71.0°F | 22.8°C / 73.0°F |
| July | 23.5°C / 74.2°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 26.0°C / 78.7°F |
| August | 24.1°C / 75.3°F | 25.3°C / 77.5°F | 26.7°C / 80.0°F |
| September | 22.8°C / 73.0°F | 23.1°C / 73.5°F | 23.6°C / 74.4°F |
| October | 19.8°C / 67.6°F | 20.2°C / 68.3°F | 20.8°C / 69.5°F |
| November | 17.1°C / 62.8°F | 17.7°C / 63.8°F | 18.5°C / 65.3°F |
| December | 14.8°C / 58.6°F | 15.2°C / 59.3°F | 15.7°C / 60.2°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.9°C / 42.6°F | 7.8°C / 46.0°F | 10.6°C / 51.0°F |
| February | 6.7°C / 44.0°F | 8.9°C / 48.1°F | 11.8°C / 53.3°F |
| March | 7.4°C / 45.3°F | 10.2°C / 50.4°F | 13.3°C / 55.9°F |
| April | 9.6°C / 49.2°F | 12.5°C / 54.4°F | 15.0°C / 58.9°F |
| May | 13.1°C / 55.5°F | 16.3°C / 61.3°F | 18.7°C / 65.7°F |
| June | 18.1°C / 64.6°F | 21.4°C / 70.5°F | 23.8°C / 74.9°F |
| July | 20.6°C / 69.1°F | 23.9°C / 74.9°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F |
| August | 20.7°C / 69.3°F | 24.0°C / 75.1°F | 26.7°C / 80.1°F |
| September | 17.3°C / 63.1°F | 20.0°C / 67.9°F | 22.7°C / 72.8°F |
| October | 14.3°C / 57.7°F | 16.5°C / 61.8°F | 19.1°C / 66.4°F |
| November | 9.6°C / 49.3°F | 11.5°C / 52.7°F | 14.0°C / 57.3°F |
| December | 7.0°C / 44.6°F | 8.8°C / 47.8°F | 11.3°C / 52.3°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Villefranche-sur-Mer holidays
Between Nice and Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a small town of ochre and pastel houses stacked above one of the deepest natural harbours on the Mediterranean coast of France. Cruise ships anchor in the bay, and tenders bring passengers ashore at the old port.
Beaches
Plage des Marinières, the main beach, curves along the bay below the railway station, with a sandy shore, a gentle slope and views of the old town. La Darse, a smaller pebble beach, lies beyond the citadel. Across the bay on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Passable beach looks back towards Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Paloma Beach is a sheltered cove on the eastern side of the Pointe Saint-Hospice headland. Jellyfish can appear in the bay in some summers, and local signs warn when they do.
Things to do
The Chapelle Saint-Pierre on the quay of Villefranche-sur-Mer was decorated by Jean Cocteau, whose drawings of fishermen and the life of Saint Peter cover its walls. Behind the waterfront, the Rue Obscure is a vaulted medieval street running under the houses of the old town, and the 16th-century Citadelle Saint-Elme houses the town hall and gardens, with museum collections whose access is worth checking before a visit. On Cap Ferrat, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild has pink walls and themed gardens above the bay, and coastal paths explore parts of the cape, with closures and diversions worth checking before setting out. The hilltop village of Èze, perched high above the sea, is a short drive east.
Weather and best time to visit
At Villefranche-sur-Mer the sea stays above 20 °C / 68 °F from June to October.
Villefranche-sur-Mer has mild winters and hot, dry summers, and the hills behind it keep off much of the northern wind. July and August are the busiest months, when the beach and the old town fill with visitors. May, June and September are warm and quieter, and cruise ship days bring extra crowds to the waterfront.
Hotels and where to stay
Hotels in Villefranche-sur-Mer are few and small, most of them on the waterfront or in the lanes of the old town. Nice, a few minutes away by train, has many more options, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer have quieter hotels a short drive or walk around the bay.
Signature hotels: Welcome Hotel
Airport and getting there
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is about 15 km from Villefranche-sur-Mer, roughly half an hour by taxi in light traffic; public transport usually involves a change and takes longer. Villefranche station is on the coastal railway between Nice and Monaco, a few minutes from Nice, and buses run along the Basse Corniche road.