October is one of the best months to visit Nice and the Cote d'Azur. The summer tourist crush has ended, all the attractions are open and there are dozens of events and festivities going on where you can participate in local life.
October is not the rainiest month of the year (that would be November) but it's not the driest either (that would be July). The average number of rainy days is seven and the average monthly precipitation is 117mm or 4.6 inches. The temperature ranges from a low of 11.3°C (52.4°F) at night to a high of 17.3°C (63.2°F) during the day. (source: climate-data.org) As a long-time resident I can tell you that it feels warmer than that on a sunny day at the beach.
Nice in October
The water remains at a fairly comfy 20°C as the summer heat hasn't fully dissipated. On a sunny and calm day in October swimming can be delightful but there can be a run of gray or windy days. The good news is that private beaches in Nice and elsewhere slash their prices on sun lounger rentals. Look for a fully south-facing beach such as the beaches in Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Menton or Saint Tropez.
The bottom line is that while a beach holiday on the French Riviera in October is possible, it's best not to plan on it. The weather is just too unpredictable. Pack your bathing suit in case you get a stretch of warm, sunny weather and a rain poncho for those other days. Anyway there are tons of other things to do in October.
The two best places to stay on the French Riviera in October are Nice and Menton. In Nice, there are plenty of museums to visit in case of poor weather, restaurants and nightlife to sample, and the Promenade des Anglais to stroll. The bus and train system gives you many opportunities for exciting day trips throughout the region.
Menton is known for its microclimate. The temperature is a degree or two warmer than Nice and the average rainfall is a little less. It's perfect weather to climb up to the Saint Michel Archange church (above) and the Menton cemetery.
(See more things to see in Menton)
From Menton it's easy to hop over to Monaco, Ventimiglia and other destinations in Italy.
There are some great hikes in the region and October is the perfect month to enjoy them.
Hike up to Mont Alban, a 16th-century fort on top of Mont Boron with sweeping views over the coast. Take the steps behind the Lazaret Cave (La Reserve stop on the 98 bus) up through the villas and parks of Mont Boron following the signs. It's a beautiful walk that takes you through one of the lesser-known neighborhoods in Nice.
Follow the coastal path around the Cap de Nice. The relentless sun makes the walk uncomfortably hot in summer but perfect fall through early spring.
Even though it may be too cool for swimming on the beaches of this lush peninsula, there are a number of well-managed walks on Saint Jean Cap Ferrat that take you along the coast and through the interior. It's a great way to be on the sea without being in the sea.
Another great autumn walk! Drive to Antibes or take the train and then the bus to glamorous and wealthy Cap d'Antibes. The Tirepoil footpath runs along the coast from La Garoupe beach and goes around the peninsula. Don't miss the Villa Eilenroc estate built between 1860 and 1867 for the former governor of the Dutch East Indies. The walk takes a leisurely two hours and covers 5km with very little climbing. As the path passes close to the sea, it's closed in case of wind or high waves. Check the weather!
Now it is. When I first moved here several decades ago Halloween was viewed as very much an anglo thing. Like most of Europe, Catholic France celebrated All Saints Day (Toussaint) on November 1 by visiting cemeteries. Little by little stores started adding Halloween decorations and the holiday gradually made its way into French culture. "Trick or treat" happens in some places but it's not widespread. On 31 October, you might see special horror-fests at the local cinema but mostly people are preparing for the bank holiday the following day.
Related PagesWhen to Go to the French Riviera
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Hi! I'm Jeanne and I've been living on the Riviera for years. With my local insights your trip will be easy and fun. And, do check out my book Nice Uncovered: Walks Through the Secret Heart of a Historic City. More about me here.
