France has four broad climatic zones: the humid seaboard zone west of the line Bayonne-Lille with cool summers; a semi-continental zone with cold winters and hot summers in Alsace-Lorraine, along the rhodanian corridor and in the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central); an intermediate zone with cold winters and hot summers in the North, the Paris region and the central region; and a Mediterranean zone with mild winters and quite hot summers in the south of France.
The climate in the Paris area is variable. There is a chance of a downpour in spring or a thunderstorm in summer. Temperature ranges between 20°C and 26°C from May through October. Springtime in Paris is mild and relatively dry, and the autumn is equally extended. July and August are the warmest months. Daily average maximum temperatures range from 6°C in January to 26°C in August. The wettest month on average is October (71 mm), when heavy Thunderstorms are possible. Brittany in the far west is the wettest French locale, especially between October and November. July is the driest month for the Bretons.
In the South, the Mediterranean coast has the driest climate with any noticeable rain coming in spring and autumn. Provence (in the southeast) occasionally plays reluctant host to le mistral, a strong, cold and dry wind that blows in over the winter for periods of only a few days up to a couple of weeks. The Mediterranean coastline and Corsica have plenty of sunshine during the summer months and refreshing sea breezes. Average daily maximum temperatures reach a warm 27°C in August and an average of 12 hours of sunshine per day. 25-30 dry days per month can be expected during the summer season. On the Atlantic Coast and in Bordeaux, the climate is generally mild with temperatures averaging 11°C in winter, up to 27°C in summer, and rainfall distributed throughout the year. With the days fresh and possibly damp in the spring and often sunny in the autumn, the climate is one of the most important factors behind Bordeaux’s high-quality wine it produces.
The weather in the French Alps varies from north to south. The northern Alps (the Savoy) are subject to oceanic influences resulting in abundant precipitation year-round with low temperatures, and cold winters with sometimes heavy snowfall. Briancon, in the Alps, has a mean temperature of -2°C in January, and 17°C in July. During the warm season, local winds blow along this region’s wide valleys and by midday, warm air rises from the valleys, causing clouds to form around most mountain summits. The heights can sometimes attract storms that are both violent and spectacular. The southern Alps (Provence and the Cote D’Azur) enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate, with lots of sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and no mist or fog. Autumn is the best time of year in this region. Occasionally, violent storms may occur, but they are always followed by sunny spells.
Required Clothing
Light cotton clothes are needed in the summer, medium weight in the Winter. raincoats and waterproof clothing are especially needed in the western areas and the mountainous regions. Wherever you go, take a sweater for cool evenings.
Holidays
Here is a list of some popular French holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday – March / April
- Easter Monday – March April
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 8 May – Victory Day
- Ascension Day
- 14 July Bastille Day
- Assumption Day
- All Saints’ Day
- 11 November – Armistice Day
- 25 December Christmas Day
- 26 December – St Stephen’s Day *
Current Weather Forecasts
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Paris
Saturday
 51°
broken clouds
 Clouds75%
 Humidity78%
 Wind18mph
Sun
Min44°
Max52°
Mon
Min44°
Max50°
Tue
Min43°
Max58°
Wed
Min50°
Max65°
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Lyon
Saturday
45°
broken clouds
Clouds51%
Humidity79%
Wind6mph
Sun
Min41°
Max53°
Mon
Min34°
Max43°
Tue
Min31°
Max53°
Wed
Min42°
Max65°
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Nice
Saturday
 45°
clear sky
Clouds3%
Humidity22%
Wind6mph
Sun
Min37°
Max57°
Mon
Min35°
Max58°
Tue
Min33°
Max49°
Wed
Min34°
Max52°
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Bordeaux
Saturday
54°
overcast clouds
Clouds100%
Humidity87%
Wind10mph
Sun
Min49°
Max59°
Mon
Min44°
Max61°
Tue
Min45°
Max70°
Wed
Min50°
Max73°
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