France climate and when to go France

Climate
France is a large country and the climate varies from region to region.

The Northern coastal regions experience a temperate climate. The winters are mild with temperatures averaging around 5 degreesC, while the warm summer temperatures are 20 degrees and 30 degrees. The weather can be unpredictable and rain can occur at any time of year.

Southwest France also experiences mild winters but the summers are much warmer. There is less rainfall in this region than in the northern part of France, however thunderstorms are common in the summer.

Central and inland France have more extreme weather and a greater variation between the seasons. The winter is harsher with snow and frost likely, whereas the summers are warmer. Rainfall is low but tends to fall in summer when the region can often experience thunderstorms.

The Mediterranean coast has a typical Mediterranean climate of hot summer days and short mild winters. This region of France has the most sunshine hours each year - eleven or twelve during the summer. Rain is scarce during the summer but when it does rain it pours, often with thunder.

When to go
The weather in France is the nicest during the spring months of May and June or at the beginning of autumn in September and October. Although the summer brings the most tourists, it is of course always a good time to visit.