Provence in the summer - too hot?

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Thinking of going to Marseilles and Avignon this summer. I really want to go, as I would love to explore those areas but feel that it might be unbearably hot in July/August.

DH and DS are going ahead to see the Tour de France in Avignon, so wondering whether it's worth me and DD joining them or flying out later to meet them somewhere less hot.
I'm not that bad with the heat, but the rest of the family might struggle.

Thanks!

I think you’ll be fine. Can you stay somewhere with air con? The coast will be cooler or alternatively you could consider somewhere a little higher… the foothills of the alps will be cooler than the planes. FWIW I was in Marseilles last July and it was fine. Not too hot and the sea was lovely.

I’d agree with @Radiatorvalves comments to some degree but TBH don’t think the weather in that part of France (or any other part for that matter) is predictable enough to make a call this far out…

There have been the widely reported hot summers in recent years but OTOH there have been some crap ones, again even in recent years, then again some middling ones.…FWIW that’s meant some very wet Tour de France’s and dry ones…..

I’ll add this because at least it gives the trends.

https://www.holiday-weather.com/avignon/averages/

..and also mention that get away from the valleys up into the high ground (e.g. Ventoux) and it can be very different…and very windy, even in high summer.

July or August? Heatwaves have generally been July the past few years. No guarantees of course.

End of July for about 10 days potentially.

Thanks for the responses so far. Good point about the coast being a bit breezier. The kids would love to go to the seaside as we haven't done many seaside holidays.
What was Marseilles like @Radiatorvalves ? I'm excited about going there!

I love Marseilles although it is a gritty city with issues. The setting is fabulous. The old port is stunning and the views from Notre Dame de la Garde are amazing. Get boats trips to Chateau d’If and the Calanques. If you want something very different, get the train to Aix for the day, chalky and cheese! I was there during the Olympics - such a great atmosphere. If you can go to a sporting event at the Stade, do!

It’s stunning there! From Marseilles (which I loved - gritty yes but a typical port city and beautiful) you can easily catch lovely comfy trains along the coast to Nice, stopping at stunning places. Villefranche-sur-mer is very special. From Nice you can also visit Eze which is beautiful (recommend an early morning bus before the place gets too busy) and carry on the bus to Monaco (not stunning but a fascinating day trip).

Cap d’Antibes is beautiful and you can walk around the coastal path and swim in the sea at various spots.

Also well worth exploring is Les Calanques where you can do glorious sea kayaking and picnic in a wonderful private beach! (An easy accessible day trip from Marseilles).

Just base yourself somewhere with a pool and visit the beaches. We chose a hotel with a rooftop pool in Marseilles then stayed in Nice for a few days as well.

The Radisson Blu? That was our treat last year. Great little pool.

Just my experience but it’s been extremely hot the last few summers we’ve had in Provence - 35 to 40 + degrees showing on the car temp although the BBC reports 32 degrees. Higher places or the seaside might provide a bit of relief (but not much) and I’d definitely look for accommodation with air conditioning and a swimming pool. I think the end of July will be peak temperatures.

… and sorry to be a doom monger but the cloudy days are worse as then it’s extremely humid too! There are lots of mosquitoes in some areas of Provence too.
I love France but am so glad that I don’t have to travel in the summer school holidays any longer. Too hot, crowded and expensive in a lot of areas at that time of year.

The coast is slightly cooler but Avignon is hot, 35 when I was there. Few rentals have full aircon so check carefully (ours only had a unit in the living room)

I was in Aix end of July/August last year and although we loved it, it was too hot really. I’m desperate to go back but I’m avoiding mid July - early September.