France

France spans three major climate zones: oceanic in the west, continental in the east, and Mediterranean in the south. Paris averages 5°C in January and 20°C in July, with rain spread evenly through the year (about 160 rainy days annually). The French Riviera (Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez) enjoys 300 days of sunshine, with summer highs of 28°C and winter lows rarely below 6°C. The Alps and Pyrenees offer reliable skiing from December to April at resorts above 1,500m. Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal for city breaks and wine regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley. July and August are peak season on the coast and in Paris, while August sees many French businesses close for summer holidays. Provence lavender blooms from mid-June to mid-July, and the mistral wind can bring cool, clear days to the Rhone Valley year-round.