As France is one of the largest countries in Europe the climate varies greatly depending upon which area of the country you are in. The most changeable weather is in the northern part of the country while the southern part of the country has the best weather. The country can be split into five distinct regions as regards climate and no matter what your preference, there will be an area with weather to suit you.

The northern and northwestern areas of France include Brittany, Normandy and the Pas de Calais region. The area has some of the highest rainfall in France and has very similar climate and temperatures to the southern part of England. During the winter temperatures are usually mild, although snow and frost do occur on occasion. Summers usually see good weather in the north although rain is a risk at all times of the year.

The southwest region of France is the area around Bordeaux. The summers boast warmer temperatures than those on the north coast but the weather can still be unsettled. In summer there is the risk of heavy rainfall, although the showers do not last long. The risk of heavy rain is higher towards the mountainous area of the Pyrenees. Winters in this area are fairly mild and cold spells are rare. The winds can be strong along the unsheltered coastal areas.

The central area of France and the eastern part of the country also have warmer summers than the northern part of the country. Rain occurs mainly in the summer but not frequently and thunderstorms are not uncommon when it rains. The winters are colder than in the southwest and the further east you are the colder they can be. Frost and snow are often seen during the winter months in the eastern parts of the region.

Along the Mediterranean Coast and the island of Corsica summers can be very hot and during June, July and August rain is extremely rare, although the occasional heavy shower and thunderstorm can occur. There can be up to 12 hours of sunshine each day during the summer months. Winters in these southern regions are very mild, although some areas are affected by the Mistral wind which can be cold and does occur in spring. This wind does affect Corsica but is tempered by the location in the Mediterranean. Corsica does have a mountainous region which experiences heavy snowfall in the winter months. Temperatures can be 30°C+ during the peak of summer but the evenings can be cooler.

The mountainous areas of France include the Vosges Mountains in the Alsace area, the Alps which link France with Switzerland and Italy, parts of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees which link the country with Spain. These areas are among the coldest in France and there can be heavy snowfalls in winter. Both the Alps and the Pyrenees are known for their winter sports facilities. In the southern areas of the Alps and the Pyrenees there is warmer weather in the summer months with fairly high temperatures and the regions may be subject to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on occasion. It is not unheard of for very heavy showers to last for a day or more.

Those who are considering moving to Paris will find that the climate is quite temperate. The summers see good weather with an average maximum temperature of 25°C. The winters are fairly mild although there are a few days each year where the temperatures will dip below freezing. Paris does not see a great deal of rain although there can be sudden heavy showers. Spring in particular is a fairly mild season in the city and is a popular time for visitors.

France rarely sees extreme weather, although in 2010 there were a few examples of extreme weather including heavy snowfalls in the south of the country with several beaches on the Mediterranean seeing a foot of snow during March. Parts of the western coast of the country were struck by a hurricane at the same time which has left some homes at risk of damage from similar events in the future. Some regions had record high temperatures during April 2010, yet June was very disappointing for those who were expecting sunshine.

Month	Average Temperature	Average Rainfall (mm)	No. Wet Days
January	3.5°C	58	17
February	4°C	46	14
March	8°C	35	12
April	11°C	42	13
May	15°C	57	12
June	18°C	54	12
July	20°C	59	12
August	19°C	84	13
September	17°C	55	13
October	12°C	50	13
November	8°C	51	15
December	4.5°C	50	16

Useful Resources

France Meteo (French equivalent of the UK Met Office)
www.meteo.fr