Day 3185 (Thursday) 26th February 2026

This is Menton

and this was taken from Mont Boron.

 

It was lovely and sunny again today and Huw went up to Ken’s villa to do some work. He came home at lunchtime and we headed into Nice for a kebab, which we thoroughly enjoyed in the park. The carnival village is still in the park and there were a lot of people around.

There were lots of deck chairs dotted around everywhere and these beautiful masks were for sale.

Huw dropped me off at school and I had a very painful hour and 20 minutes (it should be an hour and a half) trying to speak French – I really don’t think I’ll ever get it but I lasted an extra 5 minutes today.

The best places in France for winter sun

Wave-hopping in February in France? It's happened. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)

If the grey days of winter are getting you down, here is where to go in France that gives you the best chance of seeing the sun.

After a long spell of damp and dank weather, the sun burst over France this week, raising temperatures well past seasonal norms to highs more normally associated with the month of May in the south-west.

In the southern town of Orthez, temperatures peaked at 28.3C on Monday, its hottest reading for February on record, prompting national forecaster Météo-France to state ‘mild weather has turned into outright spring heat’.

Such temperatures in February remain unusual for France, even with the climate crisis. But, even in the depths of winter, there are places where you’ll be able to find some sun.

Let's not get carried away - mainland France doesn't have winter sunbathing spots (although the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Gaudeloupe do), but there are some places where you can at least see the sun, and maybe shed a few outer layers of clothing.

So, where should you go for some winter sun?

Nice

Nice — in fact the whole of the French Riviera — was a winter resort long before it became a summer one.

British upper classes discovered the Provencal sun in the 19th century when the railway cut the journey time between London and the south-east coast from two weeks to a little over two days and Nice became a favourite winter holiday spot - which is why the seafront drag is known as Promenade des Anglais.

It is where various Grand Tour travellers and people in search of drier, warmer climes as a cure for various soggy-nation ailments sought warmth and relief in the drier and sun-drenched areas of southern France.

While only the hardiest of swimmers would brave the sea in winter, even at this time of year the Riviera enjoys about eight hours of sunshine every day, with temperatures getting into ranging from 10C to 15C. And the smaller crowds mean you can enjoy the hilltop villages and visit places like Saint-Tropez and Cannes. 

Even better, for winter sports fans, Nice’s coast-mountain location means that it’s even possible to ski in the morning and enjoy a seaside walk in the afternoon. Or even a swim, if you’re brave enough.

The Mediterranean

The Côte d’Azur proudly wears its '300 Days of Sunshine a Year' badge on its tourism sleeve, but it’s a claim that could — and is — applied across much of the Mediterranean arc. 

So, while the Riviera is undeniably quieter in the winter than it is the summer, if you’re looking for more peace still with no drop-off in sun quotas - head west.

Montpellier and Narbonne, Perpignan and Beziers are just as sunny as glamorous Nice, with fewer tourists. 

As with the more illustrious resorts to the east, however, it’s not usually warm enough that you can forego a coat. Better to take one and not need than leave it at home and wish you hadn’t.

Corsica

It’s known as the Île de Beauté for a reason, and natural beauty doesn’t fade when summer’s over.

Even better, waterfalls that were reduced to a trickle in the long, hot, dry summer have been replenished by autumn and winter rains in the mountains, island sunrises and sunsets aren’t so far apart, and the beaches are much quieter. And there’s something wondrous about strolling along one on a warm, sunny day, and seeing Corsica’s snow-capped peaks.

If you're in the mood for something more energetic than a stroll, Corsica is a major hiking destination, and walking is often more comfortable away from the blazing heat of the summer months.

Be aware, however, that although there’ll be plenty of blue-sky, warming-sun days, rain is rarely too far away in the winter months. 

Basque Country

The southern bit of the Atlantic coast, where France meets Spain in a dramatic Pyrénéean crescendo, boasts mild temperatures and sunny days — there are more than 200 of them, across the year on average - as well as breathatking views and great beaches.

But strong winds and rain are also common, so this destination is something of a winter gamble.

Western France

The ocean climate that keeps the Basque Country mild extends further north along the western coast of France. There’s often plenty of winter sun to be found — it often feels more like autumn than out-and-out winter in this part of the world.