Avignon weather at a glance
Avignon has warm to hot summers, mild winters and rain that arrives mostly in autumn. July is the hottest and driest month. November is the wettest. The Côtes du Rhône vineyards around the city share this pattern, so the figures here are a good guide for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and the Dentelles de Montmirail too.
The best time to visit depends on what you want to do. For wine tastings and village walks, May, June, September and October are less hot than high summer, though autumn is wetter. For lavender you need the early summer window. For a quiet city break with the monuments, winter works, with shorter opening hours. If you want to combine a stay with excursions, see our day trips from Avignon.
Avignon weather by month
Long-term averages for the Avignon weather station. Temperatures cover 1993 to 2020 and rainfall 1994 to 2020. Highs and lows are averages of the daily values, and rainfall is the average monthly total. These are not forecasts.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.7 °C | 1.9 °C | 55.6 mm |
| February | 12.4 °C | 2.3 °C | 35.6 mm |
| March | 16.6 °C | 5.0 °C | 36.1 mm |
| April | 19.7 °C | 7.7 °C | 59.9 mm |
| May | 23.9 °C | 11.7 °C | 52.3 mm |
| June | 28.7 °C | 15.6 °C | 35.2 mm |
| July | 31.5 °C | 18.0 °C | 23.9 mm |
| August | 31.1 °C | 17.6 °C | 35.0 mm |
| September | 26.0 °C | 13.9 °C | 91.1 mm |
| October | 21.0 °C | 10.7 °C | 88.6 mm |
| November | 14.7 °C | 6.0 °C | 92.0 mm |
| December | 11.0 °C | 2.5 °C | 43.5 mm |
For most visitors who want wine and walking without peak heat, May and June are a good balance. September and October are cooler than high summer but wetter. If you prefer dry weather and do not mind heat, July is the driest month.
Our pick: a lavender day trip for summer
Lavender in the Luberon blooms from late June to mid-August, depending on the year, which makes this small-group day trip a summer choice.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wine tours and day trips from Avignon
Tastings, villages and Roman sites in every season, with live prices and availability.
The best time to visit by season
What each season means for the Côtes du Rhône, based on the monthly averages.
Spring: March to May
Highs rise from 16.6 °C in March to 23.9 °C in May, and April is the wettest spring month at 59.9 mm. Mornings stay cool, with May lows of 11.7 °C. Pack a light jacket for the evenings and for hill walks in the Dentelles.
Summer: June to August
Highs reach 28.7 °C in June and about 31 °C in July and August. July is the driest month with 23.9 mm. Plan tastings and sightseeing for the morning, and keep water and a hat for walks. In the Dentelles the summer fire rules can restrict access, see below.
Autumn: September to November
Autumn is wetter: 91.1 mm in September, 88.6 mm in October and 92.0 mm in November. Highs fall from 26.0 °C to 14.7 °C. Bring a rain layer. The Palais des Papes keeps its summer hours until 1 November, then switches to shorter days.
Winter: December to February
Highs stay around 10.7 to 12.4 °C and lows near 2 °C. Rain is moderate, between 35.6 and 55.6 mm a month. The Mont Ventoux summit road is closed from about mid-November, and the discovery areas at the Pont du Gard close from November to February.
The Mistral wind
The Mistral is a cold, dry north wind that shapes the Rhône area. It can arrive on a sunny day, so clear skies do not mean calm air. On hills and ridges, dress for wind. Check the forecast on the day before a mountain or cycling trip.
Harvest and the wine calendar
The grape harvest is a reason some visitors plan a trip, but there is no single date for the whole region. The timing differs from year to year and between vineyards, and the weather of each vintage plays a role. Do not plan a trip around a fixed harvest week. If the vineyards matter most to you, read how the appellations are organised in our guide to Côtes du Rhône wine, and check each estate's own dates.
September to November are also the wettest months in the table above, so combine a vineyard visit with a plan B indoors, such as a tasting or a museum.
Weather and your plans
Where the seasons change what you can do.
Lavender
Bloom depends on the year, the altitude and the weather, so there is no guaranteed date. The Plateau de Sault usually blooms from July to early August. Around Valensole the usual window is about 15 June to 15 July, and in 2026 the bloom started on 10 June with cutting announced from 29 June. The Luberon area ranges from late June to mid-August depending on the year. Never walk into the fields, which are private. See lavender fields.
Mont Ventoux
The summit is at 1,910 m and the road is usually closed to cars, motorbikes and bicycles from about mid-November until spring. In winter the road ends at Chalet Reynard on the south side and at Mont Serein on the north side. The mountain belongs to the neighbouring Ventoux appellation, not the Côtes du Rhône. See Mont Ventoux.
Dentelles de Montmirail
From 15 June to 15 September access to forest areas can be limited or banned because of fire danger. On the red alert levels, access is forbidden apart from named exceptions. Check the prefecture's map of the day before any hike. See Dentelles de Montmirail.
Opening hours by season
The Palais des Papes opens 9:00 to 19:00 from 1 March to 1 November and 10:00 to 17:00 from 2 November to 18 December. Vaison-la-Romaine and Orange also shorten hours in winter. Details are on the Palais des Papes page.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pick your dates, then your base.
Avignon weather: frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Avignon and the Côtes du Rhône?
For milder temperatures, May and June suit most visitors, and September and October are cooler than high summer but wetter. July is the driest and hottest month, which suits you if you want dry days and can handle heat. Winter is quiet and cooler, with shorter opening hours.
How hot does Avignon get in summer?
The average highs are 28.7 °C in June, 31.5 °C in July and 31.1 °C in August. These are averages of daily highs, so individual days can be warmer or cooler.
Which month has the most rain in Avignon?
November has the highest average rainfall in the table with 92.0 mm. September follows with 91.1 mm and October with 88.6 mm. July has the least with 23.9 mm.
When is the grape harvest in the Côtes du Rhône?
There is no single regional date. The harvest depends on the vintage and the vineyard. Check with the estate you plan to visit instead of planning around a fixed week.
Is the Mistral a problem for visitors?
It is a cold, dry north wind, and it can blow on a sunny day. It matters most on exposed sites, in the mountains and for cyclists. Check the forecast before such trips.