Aix en Provence is a city in southern France, located in the region of Provence on the Mediterranean coast. Aix en Provence experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers, mild winters and short springs and autumns.
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Summer (May to September) is long, hot and dry, with unusually abundant sunshine. Visitors can expect high temperatures with long hours of sunshine and very little rain. Average temperatures reach 22°C in May, and rise rapidly to reach 27°C in June. July and August are the hottest months, with average highs of 29°C and 28°C. Daytime temperatures during June, July and August regularly push past 30°C, but gentle breezes coming in from the nearby Mediterranean help keep the heat bearable.
Provence famously experiences a microclimate caused by âthe mistralâ, the dry north-westerly wind which blows in from inland France. This wind serves to keep the skies of Provence clear and the weather extremely dry, and Aix en Provence is famous for its long hours of sunshine and dry climate. In fact, Aix en Provence experiences just 60 days a year with rain. Rainfall in July averages just 15mm, with a mere 25mm in June and August.
The cooling effects of the mistral occasionally produce rather gusty conditions during the summer, but Aix en Provence is well protected from the worst effects of the wind.
September is slightly cooler, but temperatures still average a very warm 25°C. September is, however, somewhat wetter than the preceding months, with an average of 64mm of rain. Thanks to the mistral, however, bad weather rarely lasts for very long before it is blown out to see and the skies clear.
The clear skies and pleasant temperatures are ideal for exploring the beautiful landscape surrounding the city, such as the dramatic Mont Sainte-Victoire (a favourite subject of Paul C©zanne).
Autumn (October and November) remains pleasantly warm, with average highs of 20°C and 14°C in October and November. However, rainfall is considerably higher during these months, with 94mm and 76mm to be expected. Mild storms are an occasional feature, but again these rarely last long. The weather remains excellent for exploring the cityâs medieval buildings, numerous art galleries and wide thoroughfares.
Winter (December to February) is mild and clear, with monthly rainfall levels dropping to between 58 and 41mm. Temperatures rarely get close to freezing point, and daytime highs average above 10°C. January is the coldest month, when the average temperature falls to 11°C, so decent weather can be expected even in winter.
The mistral is particularly prevalent during the winter, and the winds can be particularly cold and forceful during the winter months. Windy conditions can occasionally last for up to a week.
Spring (March and April) sees warmer weather return, with averages of 16°C in March and 18°C in April. Rainfall remains at a similar level to that found in winter, with 46mm the average for both March and April. Plenty of sunshine is, of course, also to be expected.