THE regions favored by microclimate in France are small in extent and are sometimes limited to a city or even a district. The difference in climate with the surrounding geographical area is often marked. A microclimate is influenced by wind, relief or an eco-landscape structure such as a forest or marshes.
What we look for above all when we are interested in this phenomenon of microclimates in Francethese are places where life is good . This is what we did, by selecting these cities where the weather is nice and nice more often than elsewhere. To live there or for your next vacation in France? It's up to you!
Colmar, Alsatian sweetness
The city of Colmar is located in Alsace, in the Haut-Rhin department. In the Plain of Alsace at the foot of the Vosges massif, this commune is the one where it rains the least in France. With 530mm/year of precipitation, it is even the second driest city after Marseille ! Protected by the foehn effect you can walk without an umbrella in the picturesque areas of the old town.
To read: Climate: When to go to Colmar?
The Arcachon Basin
From Lège-Cap-Ferret to La Teste-de-Buch, the Arcachon basin is located in the heart of the Landes de Gascogne. The Arcachon basin region benefits from a significant amount of sunshine with annual averages of more than 2000 hours. Summers are dry and hot with average temperatures of 25° while winters are mild with average temperatures around 11°. For lovers of water activities in a majestic natural setting, the Arcachon basin is the place to go. One of the most pleasant microclimates in France!
The Pays d'Iroise, in the Gulf of Morbihan
Who said it always rains in Brittany? However, it is in this region that there are the most microclimates in France! In fact, it doesn't rain any more here than in Bordeaux or Biarritz. The temperature is mild thanks to a oceanic climatein fact the locals claim that the weather is nice several times a day in the area. Average temperatures vary between 1 and 5 degrees in winter and between 18 and 20 degrees in summer. With a little wool, you are dressed for the year, as the inhabitants of the area claim.
The Guérande peninsula in the Pays Blanc
The Guérande peninsula benefits from a year-round dry and windy oceanic microclimate. The Guérande sector, in the Pays Blanc, is one of the least rainy in France. The region can benefit from summer climatic conditions comparable to those of the Côte D'Azur. Average temperatures hover around 20° from May to October. This favorable climate has allowed the establishment of heliomarine centers, thalassotherapy centers and medical establishments, in La Baule and towards Pornichet.
La Rochelle or the pure air of Charente maritime
THE mild and sunny climate of La Rochellewe are talking here about temperate oceanic climatemaking it a popular seaside resort. It is a sunshine rate of around 2300 hours per year, as much as on the Côte d'Azur, which makes this city a privileged tourist destination. La Rochelle benefits from one of the microclimates in France which is created thanks to the Gulf Stream and the regular effects of the anticyclone of Azores. Average temperatures are mild, around 10° on average in winter and 20° in summer. Water sports, visiting the Aquarium, good weather, all excuses are good to go to La Rochelle.
To read: Climate: When to go to La Rochelle?
Saumur or Angevin sweetness
Favored, because located in the plains of Anjou, the city of Saumur really benefits from this Angevin sweetnesspopularized by Joachim Du Bellay. THE temperatures are warmer than in the rest of the department and less precipitation. The place is ideal for tasting, in moderation, a sparkling Saumur wine or visiting the famous black setting.
The Gulf of Fréjus
The climate in the Gulf of Fréjus is privileged, because it is little affected by the mistral, protected by the Esterel and Maures massifs. It is in this region that sunny periods are the most important in France with more than 2700 hours/year. Temperatures are much more bearable than in towns in the Alpes-Maritimes like Cannes or Nice, thanks to the favorable wind from the sea. All year round you can taste Provence rosé on a terrace of the famous port of Saint-Tropez in the Gulf of Fréjus.
Ajaccio, beauty and the Corsican microclimate
The city of Ajaccio offers an exceptional Dolce Vita with a average sunshine rate of 2700 hours. The city of the country's most famous child, Napoleon, is also one of the driest microclimates in France. Winters are quite mild in Ajaccio and snowfall is extremely rare. The average annual temperature is above 15°, it is common for between May and October the temperature to be above 20°. The typical port of Ajaccio is full of shaded terraces which offer a unique view, let yourself be charmed by one of the beauties of the island!
To read: Climate: When to go to Ajaccio?
Le Sables-d’Olonne
The seaside resort of Les Sables-d'Olonne, on the Vendée coast, benefits from a sunshine greater than 2100 hours per year. The shape of its bay and the direction of the winds which push the clouds inwards are the causes which favor the mild climate in the region. The level of sunshine is comparable to that of Carcassonne and higher than that of Biarritz or Bordeaux. Bring your sunglasses, in all seasons, to stroll on the superb Sables beach.
Toulouse, the pink city
In the Midi-Pyrénées region, the city of Toulouse, located on the banks of the Garonne, benefits from a privileged climate. A dynamic metropolis, Toulouse is at the junction of oceanic, continental and Mediterranean climates. The weather there is temperate with an average annual temperature of 13.5°. THE annual sunshine rate of the pink city is beyond the 2000 hours and the summer period is always hot and dry, until very late in autumn. A metropolis popular with students, executives and retirees, Toulouse awaits you.
To read: Climate: When to go to Toulouse?
Marseille, the gentle Mediterranean way of life
With its pleasant weather all year round, Marseille tops the list of microclimates in France. Of course, the mistral can sometimes be annoying, but this inconvenience is quickly rewarded by its incredible sunshine: 2858 hours of sunshine per year, the record in the country! The maximum temperatures during winter are often above 10°, and in summer they peak at around 30° thanks to the light sea breeze that is always present. A perfect destination if you don't like too big temperature differences!
To read: Climate: When to go to Marseille?
Montpellier, an attractive city that can be visited in all seasons
The Montpellier region, in Languedoc-Roussillon, enjoysa favorable climate 10 months out of 12. Apart from January and February, which are the coldest of the year, the city offers idyllic weather conditions. Spring begins early with temperatures around 15° from March. In summer, the thermometer rarely rises above 30° and it continues until the end of October when t-shirts are still relevant. If you are looking for a city where life is good, whether for vacations or to live, Montpellier can be a real favorite!
To read: Climate: When to go to Montpellier?
Périgord and Dordogne: a mild climate awaits you
Against all expectations, these southwestern regions offer beautiful microclimates in France. Although spring is late, winters remain pleasant with minimums which very rarely drop below 5°. The summer season remains the best season with temperatures between 25 and 30°: the joys of the garden and meals on the terrace are yours! Autumn constitutes a real Indian summer, with very beautiful sunny days until the end of October. In terms of precipitation, the frequency of rain is fairly constant throughout the year, which offers sensational landscapes!
To read: Climate: When to go to Périgord-Dordogne?
Biarritz, the pearl of the Atlantic
Renowned for the quality of its daily life, Biarritz is also one of the most beautiful cities in the country. But if it attracts so many tourists and people who want to change region to live there, it is because it benefits from one of the microclimates in France. Of course the rains are not rare, as evidenced by the superb green landscapes of the Basque Country, but the sun is also very present with on average 2016 hours of sunshine per year. This results in pleasant temperatures, even in the middle of winter. In summer, the thermometer remains constantly around 25°: perfect for enjoying it without suffering from the heat!
To read: Climate: When to go to Biarritz?
The Pyrénées-Orientales, between sea and mountains
The privileged location of this department in the south of France, between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees massif, allows for an exceptional climate. In Perpignan, the regional capital, temperatures in the coldest of winter range between 6 and 12°, which remains very reasonable! In summer, the weather is rarely scorchingwith maximums which exceptionally climb above 30°. As for precipitation, it is rare throughout the year since it only rains 881 mm, while certain departments in the north of France can reach values greater than 5000 mm of rain per year.
