France Climate

France lies in the temperate climatic zone as it is located at an altitude of between 41° and 50° North.  However, there are regional climatic variations as the country is subject to the influence of the Atlantic coast to the west and the Mediterranean to the south, and different elevations of its terrain.

 

The regions in the north and northwest have a temperate climate. 

 

Along the Mediterranean region in the south-east, the summer is hot and dry and the winter is mild and wet.

 

The western region facing the Atlantic has more rainfall, cooler summers and milder winters. 

 

The centre of the country has hot summers and colder winters, with less precipitation.

 

The climate of the Pyrenees, the Alps and other mountainous regions are colder, with the temperature falling below freezing and snow-cover for a large part of the year.

Last edited Jan 13, 09 11:49 AM. Contributors: Andrew W.

Travel Tips for France Climate

1. Melinda's Tip on Paris
Paris, Ile-de-France, France
If you don't have a fear of height, please go up with the elevator to the Eiffel Tower and look around. Being on the top of Paris is amazing and if the weather is good you can see very far.
Good tip?
(+1)
2. Joshua's Tip on Paris
Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Make sure you bring a lot of money and you go during the summer. i went during march and the weather sucked. Also you can break into the metro system way easy.
Good tip?
(0)
3. Daria's Tip on Bordeaux
Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France
beautiful gallerys with paintings of impressionists, not large friendly city and ocean not so far. wonderful weather almost always
Good tip?
(0)
4. Monique's Tip on Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains, Rhone-Alpes, France
A day skying at Grande Terche, Saint Jean D’Aulps, Haute-Savoie, France. If you are lucky with the weather, you can spend a fabulous day skying for hours close to Roc d’Enfer. You will also enjoy a rich landscape: far away north the Jura, then part of Lac Léman, then the French and Swiss Alps ( Dents du Midi are spectacular). We recommend you go from the top of Grande terche, to Chevrerie (Bellevaux) then return to Grande Terche through Les Follis; a must is to have lunch at Tavaillon a refurbished stable built in 1750 (try assiette savoyarde with beignets de pomme de terre!) This is perfect ski resort for families or for having a relax time with friends. There are large modern resorts nearby (Portes du Soleil) where you can do intensive skiing, but in Grande Terche you go at a different pace, it's pristine and genuine yet there are "black" slopes several kilometers long.
Good tip?
(0)
5. Melinda's Tip on Cannes
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France
Hotels are cheap in winter but the weather is still warm. Staying a few blocks back from the beach will save you money and you'll be closer to the railway station which is great for exploring the region on the cheap.
Good tip?
(0)