When to go

The climate of France is generally cold in winter and mild in summer, but mild winters and hot summers are usual along the Mediterranean sea (French riviera) and in the South West of France. Along the Rhône Valley an occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind blows known as the mistral. Lots of the snow falls in winter in the Mountainous regions like the Alps, Pyrenees and Auvergne. In July and August it's the peak of summer and many tourists from all over Europe invade the country.