Month guide · Marseille · France
Marseille in August
What August is really like in Marseille: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marian78ro, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 13.9 hours of daylight. Very hot and busy; start early, swim in the late afternoon and expect fire-related trail closures.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 23°C (73°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Marseille: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with July (30°C (86°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:44
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:42
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea
- 23°C (73°F)
Summer (June–August). Hot, dry and crowded, with warm sea, festivals and evening life on the quays; Calanques access depends on daily fire risk.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Marseille, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Architecture · Prado and the beaches
Cité Radieuse
Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation, completed in 1952 on Boulevard Michelet, is a concrete 'vertical village' of apartments with an internal shopping street, a hotel and a rooftop terrace with a paddling pool and views to the sea and hills.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Off the beaten path
Market · Cours Julien and Noailles
Noailles and the Marché des Capucins
Go in the morning, carry small change and keep your bag in front of you in the crowds.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
Street · Cours Julien and Noailles
Cours Julien
A raised, tree-lined square with fountains and a children's play area, surrounded by streets where almost every wall, staircase and shutter is painted with murals.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Food
Religious site · Vieux-Port
Notre-Dame de la Garde
Take bus 60 or the tourist train up from the Vieux-Port, then walk down through the quiet streets towards the Abbaye Saint-Victor.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
The sea averages 23°C (73°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Marseille.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 19°C and 3 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Marseille?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Marseille in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Marseille?
It is a shoulder-season month. Very hot and busy; start early, swim in the late afternoon and expect fire-related trail closures.
+How warm is Marseille in August?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Marseille in August?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.