Introduction
- perhaps one of your main considerations when deciding where to buy
your retirement home or
holiday home in France
is the weather. Any one living in Britain will tell you that weather
debating is almost a national pastime, because of our type of climate,
we are not geared up for extremities, when we experience them, it can
often seem that the country grinds to a halt. In France before you
settle on the property of your choice it is vital that you study the
data confirming what to expect in terms of temperature variations &
rainfall. Often people view areas in the more temperate months of the
year, only to experience more extreme conditions when they move in.
Study the charts, compare the weather. What can you expect in France,
how does it compare to our own country?
Climatic Regions of France
- France is divided in to four main climatic regions:-
Mediterranean - the
warmest region is in the South, stretching across the entire
coastline. This Mediterranean area is said to have a “ Mediterranean
Climate” This area is best suited for persons liking warmer weather
but perhaps not as fiercely hot as that experienced in Spain. The
winters are noticeably milder than in Britain and often during the
winter months, it is possible to sit outside and eat your lunch.
Oceanic - the vast
majority of France including its other coastlines, boarding the
Atlantic Ocean and English Channel is said to be Oceanic in climate.
This is similar to that experienced in Britain. In the summer months
the sea will keep the land cool and in the winter it will warm it up.
This is often referred to as a temperate climate, reasonably warm
summers followed by mild damp winters, the difference between
temperatures is not extreme and is more like Britain.
Continental - The
extremes of temperature are usually associated with the Continental
climate experienced throughout many parts of Europe and a feature of
Eastern France where its borders join Germany & Switzerland. This more
extreme climate caused by an absence of the sea and more pronounced in
landlocked countries, produces hot summers & cold winters .
Mountain - the fourth
and final region of France is classified as Mountain and not
surprisingly; this is where you will experience the coldest winter
weather with the temperatures in summer being best described as cool.
There are 5 main mountain ranges in France, the Massif Central which
is located in the central area of the country and extending towards
the south. The Pyrenees which border with Spain and finally the Vosges,
Jura & Alps that share borders with Switzerland, Germany & Italy.
If it’s sun your looking for, in general terms, the further south your
property, the more you will see the sun and if this is you main
consideration you should consider the Mediterranean coastline areas
although property prices can increase quite dramatically for the prime
locations. Rainfall is more pronounced in the mountain areas and
Brittany and the Coastal zones with the central areas of the country
being reasonably dry.
As mentioned above if you are seriously considering buying a Holiday
Home in France, it’s a good idea to try out the areas before hand, It
is easier to rent property in France and you may be able to obtain a
property for a short time to help you in the decision making process.
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