France in June

Best of France in June at a glance

• Loire Valley — roses, castle gardens and countryside picnics
• Normandy — D-Day history, anniversary commemorations and Monet’s garden in Giverny
• French Riviera — beach time, coastal towns and seaside gardens
• Provence — Roman sites, countryside drives and lavender beginning to flower in some areas later in June
• Dordogne — the gardens of Marqueyssac, medieval villages and countryside scenery

What Is the Weather Like in France in June?

The warmest part of France in June is the south, with average daytime temperatures of 63-74°F (17-24°C). Heatwaves can occur in June across France, with temperatures having reached above 90°F in recent years. The Mediterranean is also warm enough to swim in, with an average temperature of 72°F (22°C). Be sure to bring a sweater for the evenings, which are cooler, even in the south.

On the Atlantic coast, temperatures are slightly lower 57-70°F (14-21°C), so probably not warm enough for a swim, but certainly warm enough to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

In the rest of France, you should enjoy mostly mild weather, but with some rainy days. The average low temperature will be in Northeastern France (54°F/12°C) but still with a high of 77°F/25°C in this region. We recommend packing your summer wardrobe with a selection of light sweaters and a jacket for the evenings or cooler days, and an umbrella in case it rains.

Where Should You Go in France in June?

France’s beautiful gardens

June is THE month for visiting gardens, which will be in full bloom (especially those with roses). Some of our favorite gardens include: 

• Villandry gardens at the Chateau de Villandry, which you can visit on one of our Loire Valley tours
• Monet’s Garden in Giverny, Normandy
• The Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac in Dordogne

We have created a blog post about the best gardens in France - we include more of our top recommendations there.

The beaches and hidden gems of the French Riviera

As the weather warms up, you may want to take the opportunity to soak up the sun on one of the beaches of the French Riviera. One of our favorites is La Garoupe, which is located between Cannes and Nice. It’s a small, beautiful beach in Antibes with stunning views across the Mediterranean, with the Alps in the distance. Some of the beaches in this area are private, belonging to local restaurants. There’s a public sandy beach with loungers and parasols available to rent from mid-June to September, between La Joliette and Le Rocher restaurants.

After a day at the beach, we recommend exploring some of the French Riviera’s hidden gems along the coast and up into the hinterlands.

We love the town of Menton, close to the Italian border, with its bright pastel colored houses on the seafront and beautiful beach. 

The pink Villa Ephrussi and its nine themed gardens are also stunning, with lovely sea views.

For dinner, head to the quiet village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, a colorful Mediterranean port away from the hustle and bustle of Nice. Have a drink at one of the places on the port, and head into the town for a great meal and a better price.

Here we share more of our favorite places in the French Riviera.

The Roman ruins of Provence

Although we love the beaches of Provence (especially the calanques around Cassis), there is so much history to discover inland.

Provence has many Roman sites, three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Roman theater in Orange is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the world, dating back to the first century A.D.

In the lovely town of Arles, you can marvel at the 2,000-year-old Roman arena and underground galleries.

Last but not least, the breathtaking view of the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct is a sight not to be missed! This three-story structure was built without mortar in the first century A.D, and was used for transporting water from local springs. If you enjoy kayaking, a great option is to hire a kayak on the Gardon river and paddle right next to it! You can also swim in the river if the water’s warm enough.

If you love the idea of exploring beautiful Provence and learning more about its ancient history, we recommend our tour of southern France from west to east. This includes the Basque Country, the medieval walled city of Carcassonne and Provence.

Provence’s lavender fields

If you enjoy scenic drives, late June can be a lovely time to visit Provence’s lavender fields, particularly around the Valensole Plateau, which is within easy driving distance of Aix-en-Provence or Avignon. 

Flowering depends on the weather, altitude and variety, so early June may be too soon to see fields of purple. Higher-altitude areas generally flower later, and harvest dates vary across the region. We recommend checking local flowering updates before planning your route.

There are some gorgeous fields near Lavandes Angelvin, a lavender distillery, and between Valensole and Puimoisson along the D8 road. 

For more lavender field recommendations, as well as our favorite driving routes, check out our post Provence by Car.

The castles of the Loire Valley

There are more than 300 Loire Valley châteaux, many of which are hundreds of years old and have beautiful formal gardens. These are normally in full bloom in June and are places of beauty, peace and quiet, and the ideal place to stop for a picnic! 

Our favorite Loire Valley castles include the Chateau de Chenonceau, Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau and a few lesser-known hidden gems, like the Chateau de l'Islette, that most tourists haven’t discovered! 

If you’re especially interested in doing a Loire Valley road trip, and discovering the castles of the Loire Valley, gardens and the region's unique gastronomy, we think you’ll love our Loire Valley Heritage and Gastronomy self-drive tour!

The Pink Granite Coast in Brittany

In western France the beaches of Brittany are often compared to the Caribbean, with their white sand, crystalline turquoise waters and idyllic settings. 

The giant boulders and rock formations along the Pink Granite Coast make for some stunning scenery and beautiful coastal hikes, or cycling if you prefer.

We share some of the best beaches in Brittany on our blog. If you book with us, we’ll tell you the nicest beaches for you to visit on your trip based on your itinerary.

The world war battle sites in Normandy, Somme & Verdun

Many of us have ancestors who fought in the terrible wars of the 20th century. We have planned tailored tours for travelers who are interested in the history of WWI and WWII in France. We can also help you visit places where your ancestors would have fought, and where they lay at rest if they were killed in action. 

Our World War History Tour of France gives you a taste of the kind of itinerary we could plan for you. If you give us information about your ancestors, we will customize this tour so that you can visit the specific places they would have been in during their time fighting in France. This may include the Normandy landing beaches, or the WWI trenches in Verdun, or the former battlefields of the Somme.

During your trip, we’ll plan for tour guides who are experts in World War history to take you to all the most important places. If relevant, we’ll also pass on information about your ancestors to them, so that they can tell you specific stories relating to the battles they would have fought in, and take you to the battle sites. 

June is an interesting time to do this tour, because at the beginning of June, towns across Normandy mark the D-Day anniversary. The weather in June is also nice for exploring the battle sites of northern France.

What are the Festivals and events in France in June?

As we mentioned in the intro, there are so many festivals all over France in June. If you book a tour with us, we will recommend some nice festivals to you based on your itinerary and your interests. 

These are some of our favorites:

D-Day celebrations in Normandy 

The annual D-Day remembrance events take place around the anniversary on June 6th at the Normandy landing beaches and in local towns. These include parades, musical events and a military reenactment parade in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, one of the first towns to be liberated on D-Day.

On June 6th, 1944, approximately 156,000 troops reached Normandy by sea and air, and by the end of June, around 850,000 soldiers had crossed the English Channel. This marked the beginning of the end of World War II.

There are some quite moving accounts from British and American war veterans and a short video in this article by France 24. 

We very much like this photo of our travelers Chee Keong and Zack from Malaysia, who were in Normandy during the D-Day celebration a few years ago. We arranged for them to attend some of the D-Day events as part of their tour of France with us. Here they are pictured with soldiers on Pegasus Bridge. We send our very special thanks to the Loo-Khaw family for sharing this fantastic photo with us!

Hellfest - Hard Rock Festival near Nantes

Hellfest, one of the biggest hard rock festivals in the world, takes place in Clisson over 3-4 days in mid-June, with around 200,000 people attending.

See the line-up on the Hellfest website.

Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival, Château de Fontainebleau park

Named after Romani-Belgian jazz guitarist and composer Jean “Django” Reinhardt, this Gypsy jazz music festival takes place annually in Prairie du Bois d’Hyver, in the Château de Fontainebleau park, at the end of June or early July. When it began in 1968, it was a single evening festival. In 1983, it became a multiple-day event commemorating Django Reinhardt and his music. The festival includes musical performers and other artistic and leisure activities relating to guitar and jazz music and Gypsy culture.

Le Mans 24-hour Race - sports car racing in Northwestern France 

Known in France as the 24 heures du Mans, this is a race where competitors race fast cars for 24 hours non-stop. During this tough endurance race, speeds can exceed 200 mph on the fastest stretch of the 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe course.

You can find out up-to-date information on this year's dates on the official Le Mans race website.

Feux de Saint Jean

During the Festival of Saint Jean, held around June 24th each year, small towns across France light bonfires and dance around them to celebrate the beginning of summer. 

Fête de la Musique, World Music Festival

The World Music Festival takes place across France in June every year and is very popular. 

Music-lovers of all tastes can enjoy classical, reggae, jazz, pop and many more genres of their favorite music.

There are shows in bars, gardens, concert halls and even in Metro stations. In Paris, the biggest open-air shows have taken place at Place de la Bastille, Hotel des Invalides, Parc de la Villette and Place de la Republic in past years.

For more information about the program this year, venues and line-ups, visit the festival’s website.

Antibes Sailing Festival, French Riviera

Les Voiles d’Antibes normally takes place in the first week of June, and has been running since 1996. It’s a friendly sporting tradition that marks the opening of the Mediterranean circuit for Classic Yachts. If you go, you’ll get to see some of the most gorgeous, most luxurious sailing boats in the world.

Medieval Festival in Provins, Northern France

The annual two-day Medieval Festival has been held in Provins, a former medieval trade hub in northern France, since 1984. Provins is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about an hour and a half by train from Paris. This interesting festival is a celebration of the town’s medieval past, and takes place on a weekend in June. Everyone is encouraged to get dressed up in medieval costumes and join in, though this isn’t obligatory - you can just watch if you want!

The festival includes entertainers, acrobatic shows, musical performances, and there are many medieval games you can try! You’ll see displays of typical medieval jewelry made by local craftspeople and there’s even a full-scale re-enactment of the Champagne trade fairs that took place every year in this region starting in the 1100s.

Let us know if you’re interested in experiencing this special historical and cultural event if you’ll be traveling in France in June! This can be incorporated into many of our tours of Paris and our driving tours of northern France.

Lyon Street Food Festival

In June, the Lyon Street Food Festival takes place in Lyon, the third-largest city in France. This annual 4-day festival attracts people from all over the country for its food (including 120 Michelin-starred chefs, street-food chefs, gourmet bistro chefs and more), music and partying (with dozens of performances scheduled - ideal for festival-lovers) and culture (there will be around 250 workshops you can take part in). 

This is a great festival to experience if you're visiting France in June on one of our tours of Lyon and eastern France.

What Are the Best Things to Do in France in June?

Attend a masked ball at Versailles

For an unusual evening near Paris, consider Le Grand Bal Masqué at the Palace of Versailles. This late-night costume party takes place in the Orangerie, with DJs, performers and dancing until dawn. A baroque-style costume and mask are required, and you’ll need to arrange your outfit separately. 

Check the Versailles website for the next edition’s date, dress code and ticket options before planning your June visit.

Go surfing in the Basque Country or Brittany

Biarritz in the Basque Country has become a popular surfing destination due to its fantastic waves. This trend was started by American screenwriter Peter Viertel in the 1950s, when he was making the film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises. He was so impressed by the surf that he had his surfboard shipped over from California so he could surf on the Basque coast!

You can discover more about the best things to do in Biarritz (including some of our insider tips!) and if you like, browse our sample tours of the Basque Country!

There are also brilliant surfing opportunities along the coast of Brittany. If you’re a keen surfer or enjoy other watersports, let us know when you’re booking your tour, and we’ll include visits to the best surfing beaches in Brittany in your itinerary.

Explore the medieval walled city of Carcassonne

Carcassonne’s medieval walled city owes much of its appearance today to a major 19th-century restoration. Local historian Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille campaigned to protect its buildings, with support from Prosper Mérimée. 

The fortified city was listed as a historic monument in 1849, and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc led the restoration that followed. As you explore its towers and ramparts, you’ll see how his work helped preserve this remarkable part of France’s heritage.

It is well worth doing a walking tour of the city with an expert tour guide that we work with, Carlos Lluch. He can tell you about the history and stories of the city, and take you to some wonderful places and viewpoints. He'll also suggest other things to do in Carcassonne and the surrounding areas that you might enjoy.

If you’re a wine and chocolate lover, we can’t think of a better experience than doing a wine and chocolate tour with an expert! 

We can organize this for you if you book one of our self guided tours of Carcassonne.

Go hiking through Provence’s stunning mountainous landscapes

If you enjoy hiking, the Vallée des Merveilles (Valley of Wonders) in Mercantour National Park combines mountain scenery with an extraordinary archaeological site. Together with neighboring Fontanalba, the area contains around 40,000 rock engravings, many dating back more than 5,000 years. 

In June, snow can still affect access, so check local conditions before setting out. Stay on marked trails; an approved guide is required to explore engravings away from the authorized paths.

Walkers will also love the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains (a region which also offers exceptional wines!). There are stunning panoramic views to enjoy across three parallel mountain chains. We’ll recommend our favorite walking routes if you book with France Just For You!

We hope we have given you some ideas for your next trip to France, and inspired you to come on a custom self-drive tour of France with France Just For You! 

You may browse our tours of France or reach out to trip planners, Emilie and Laura, with your questions.

Alternatively, send us your trip-planning form below!

Considering visiting France in a different month? Check out our other guides below:

• France in January
• France in February
• France in March
• France in April
• France in May
• France in July
• France in August
• France in September
• France in October
• France in November
• France in December