#1 in September
23.2°C
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.2°
J
22.4°
J
24.8°
A
25.4°
S
23.2°
O
19.8°
N
16.5°
NOAA SATELLITE DATA (1991–2020 30-YEAR CLIMATOLOGY)
FRFrance Sea Temperature in September
Historical 30-year sea surface temperatures across 38 coastlines in France for September. Derived from NOAA 0.25° blended satellite and in-situ marine observations.
Climatology Notice: Temperatures represent the 30-year long-term historical average (1991–2020 normal), not a live single-day sensor forecast.
20.8°C
Refreshing / Invigoratingaverage across 38 surveyed coastlines in France, September
- Ranges 16.5°C at Étretat Beach to 23.2°C at Palombaggia Beach.
- 18 of 38 surveyed coastlines are at or above the 21°C swim threshold in September.
- On the national average, the water is above 21°C from 9 Jul to 12 Sep — about 65 days a year.
- 1.5°C cooler than France’s August peak of 22.4°C (see August).
Select Month
View 12-Month Annual Overview →Côte d’Azur & Corsica vs English Channel & Brittany
France’s Mediterranean coast (French Riviera and Corsica) enjoys sheltered 24.5–25.5°C August waters protected by the Maritime Alps. Conversely, Brittany and Normandy face 8–12 meter tidal ranges and strong currents that continuously mix the water column, limiting summer temperatures to 16.5–18.0°C.
Oceanographic Phenomenon:Ligurian Current vs Macrotidal Channel Currents
Thermal Lag Characteristic:Corsican and Riviera thermal lag: sheltered gulfs retain comfortable swimming conditions (21.5°C) well into October.
Peak Bathing Average:August (24.8°C)
Statutory Tourism Sources:
visit-corsica.comcalanques-parcnational.frfrance.frbonifacio.co.ukconservatoire-du-littoral.frThe September Thermal Lag Advantage
Because seawater has a high specific heat capacity, it acts as a massive thermal battery. Southern European and Mediterranean basins absorb solar energy all summer, reaching maximum heat storage by late August. In September, while air temperatures drop, the water releases heat slowly, which creates sea temperatures that are typically 3°C to 5°C warmer than in June.
CYPRUS (AYIA NAPA / PROTARAS)
27.5°C
Effortless swimming
TURKEY (ANTALYA / KAŞ)
27.3°C
Warm bathwater
GREECE (CRETE / RHODES)
25.4°C
Extended season
MALTA & GOZO
26.1°C
Crystal clear
France Beaches in September
Individual coordinate lookups from NOAA 0.25° marine grid.
Showing 38 coastlines
Explore Sea Temperatures by Country
Spain(23.6°C)Italy(25.9°C)Turkey(27.3°C)France(22.4°C)Greece(25.4°C)Cyprus(27.7°C)Croatia(25.2°C)Albania(25.5°C)Montenegro(25.7°C)Malta(26.7°C)Bulgaria(25.1°C)Romania(24.7°C)Slovenia(25.4°C)Portugal(20.7°C)Poland(19°C)Sweden(18.3°C)Netherlands(18.5°C)Bosnia & Herzegovina(25.2°C)Monaco(24.6°C)Latvia(18.5°C)Estonia(18°C)Lithuania(18.8°C)Germany(18.6°C)Denmark(18°C)Norway(15.3°C)Belgium(18.7°C)Faroe Islands(10.9°C)United Kingdom(16.1°C)Ireland(15.9°C)Iceland(10.9°C)Finland(16.6°C)
