The climate of France
According to the Köppen system France has three different climates.
The greater part of the country has a moderate sea-climate (type Cfb)
with relatively mild winters, no extremely hot summers and
precipitation during the entire year. The French Alps, situated in the
south-east, have a high mountain climate (type EH). This climate is
characterized by relatively much precipitation, colder winters and
relatively cool summers. Along the south-east coast, stretching from
the border with Spain to the border with Italy, prevails a
Mediterranean climate (type Csa) Warm dry summers and relatively mild
winters is what you find here. The eastern part of this coastal area,
the Cote d’Azur, is the sunniest part of France. Most of the time the
comparison is made to this very sunny area to denounce how sunny other
parts of the area are.
Climate information of places and areas in France
The climate information on this page is only brief. Specific
information about weather and climate can be found on the climate
pages per area or town. As for France the following climate
information is available:
It is not by coincidence that France is a very popular holiday
destination. In many places it is practically guaranteed that the
weather is very agreeable during the summer period with sometimes very
warm days and sultry summer nights practically every day. The
sensation of France is mainly aroused by these circumstances and all
the fragrances and colors that nature offers. It is mainly in this
splendid period that living as a god in France is realized.
France is a country of extremes. In a country of average size the
variety in weather conditions and temperature can be considerably
large in a fairly small area. Whereas in the south-east spring-like
temperatures of twenty degrees Celsius are reached it can easily
freeze considerably at night 200 kilometers northward.
Also in the summer months substantial differences in temperature can
be measured. At moments when in the vicinity of Bordeaux temperature
can raise to around forty degrees or more, it can be 20 degrees colder
in the north-west at the same time.
The French Alps are a very popular winter sport resort. Beautiful
skislopes and snow practically guaranteed in the period of September
up till May provide ideal skiing conditions. According to votaries the
finest period to go skiing there is the late spring from about the end
of March till the beginning of May when the skislopes close. Then the
snow is often still of good quality, while the vernal sun is getting
very agreeable by then. Less popular among the Dutch but surely a good
winter sport destination are the French Pyrenees. Other areas where you
can tie on the laths, but which are less sure as for the snow, are the
Vosges, the Jura and the Central Massive.
The figures below are based on registered long-term meteorological
information and can, as far as possible, be considered
an average for France. The largest
deviations are: more precipitation in the east and the higher situated
areas (Alpes, Vosges, Central Massive, Jura and Pyrenees); more sun in
the south, higher temperatures in the south (particularly along the
coast); higher UV index in the south, much greater chance on wintry
weather in higher situated areas. The sea temperatures reflected here
are for the north-west (first figure) and the south-east (second
figure). These are the two most extreme values of the seawater
More climate information
Climate figures are very useful but don’t present a general impression
of the climate and the eventual weather circumstances within a certain
period. The figures don’t always reflect the chance of wintry weather,
extreme heat or hurricanes. That is why we monthly offer useful extra
climate information. The information below goes for all but entire
France ( the areas above 400 meters are left out of consideration).
Hence the chance of (very) hot weather and of wintry weather is often
greater than applicable to a particular area.
The UV index is an average of the whole of France. The UV index is
somewhat lower for the north of France and somewhat higher for the
south. For the higher situated areas goes: less chance of sun and very
hot weather, considerably more chance of wintry weather.
The information at this site was carefully composed from climate data collected by meteorological services, meteorological offices, climate experts and other sources. “More climate info” is based on statistics, climate data and personal experience. No rights can be derived from this site. Weather has no memory and gives no guaranties. Nothing is as changeable and unpredictable as the weather. The authors of this site feel in no way responsible for any damages caused by misinterpretation or other circumstances that may influence your holiday or trip to a certain destination. We provide information, it’s up to the reader to use it to it’s benefit.