French Weather and Climate

Before you book your trip to France, why not learn about the likely weather conditions? Some areas of France enjoy excellent summer weather, but its winters can be cold, especially in northern and eastern France. The South and South East of the country are known for their warmer climates. Charente is actually the second sunniest region of France.

Whether you want to know how much snow there will be in the Alps during January or whether it will be raining in Marseille in March, planning ahead can make your trip much more enjoyable.

Although France is not a huge country, the weather varies greatly from region to region. In France, there are four types of climate, each one linked to one of the assorted coastal, mountainous or inland areas.

Mediterranean Climate

This can be found on the south coast of France and is popular with holidaymakers seeking summer sun. This area benefits from warmer climates, thanks to Occitanie, which borders Spain to the west, and along the Riviera and Monaco along the Italian border to the east. The Mediterranean coast is known for its long, hot summers and milder-than-average winters.

Oceanic Climate

This area lies just off the north coast of France. At one end is Dunkerque, then along the English Channel, known for its freezing cold waters, it reaches all the way around to the far western area of Brittany. The west coast from Brest in the north to Biarritz in the south also has a mild climate all year-round.

Continental Climate

A large portion of eastern France is landlocked by the borders of Belgium and Germany. This means the weather in these areas is very similar to that of other continental areas. This means summers can get extremely hot, and winters can be incredibly cold, with freezing temperatures.

Mountain Climate

France is home to five mountain ranges, the most famous being the Alps, and on its eastern border with Germany, Italy, and Switzerland are the Vosges and the Jura. Next, there is the Massif Central between the middle of France and the south coast, and the Pyrenees, which separate France and Spain. All these areas will have cool climates year-round, with the Southern Alps being warmer than the Northern Alps.

As a rule, the Loire is considered the dividing line between the northern and southern climates. If you’re interested to learn more about France, explore our French blog and our article with over 120 interesting and unusual facts about this remarkable country.