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France is the third largest country in Europe covering more than 210,000 square miles. Roughly the size of Texas, France encompasses a wide range of landscapes, from the sunny Mediterranean coast to the snow-covered peaks of the Alps and the Pyrénées, with plenty of mild and moderate temperatures in between. Here’s what you need to know about the climate in France and the best times to visit particular destinations.

What is the weather in France?

Generally, France boasts a mild to moderate climate, with average temperatures in summer in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit, and winter temperatures in the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit. However, different regions of France have different climates, and how you pack for a trip to France depends on the area and the time of year you’ll be visiting.
Due to its location bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, western France has a coastal climate, with cooler summers, foggy winters, and an average of 200 days of rainfall per year.

North and central France, including the capital city of Paris, have cold and rainy winters, with warm summers. Of course, occasional cold snaps or heat waves happen. Head toward the Mediterranean region for hot summers and particularly mild winters, except for when the strong, cold mistral winds blow through to the coast. But generally, the French Riviera is the warmest place to spend a winter in France.

Finally, if it’s snow you’re looking for, head to higher altitude locations, like the Massif Central, the northern French Alps, and the Pyrénées for reliable winter snowfall and colder winters.

When is the best time to visit France?

Annually attracting up to 90 million tourists, France is a great year-round destination, but it’s important to pack for the season and the region you’re visiting, as well as your planned activities. Heading to the Mediterranean in the peak summer months? You can expect warm and sunny days, ideal for soaking up the sun and swimming in the warm Mediterranean Sea. Interested in indulging in French wines? While France’s famed winemaking regions are fairly spread out with varied seasonal weather, the period between August and October is harvest season — a wonderful time to visit.

Winter is a popular season for people who want to enjoy the beauty of Paris during the holiday season. While it’s unlikely you’ll ever get a white Christmas in the “City of Light,” you’ll still want to pack warm clothing for your trip.

When is the best season for visiting national parks in France?

France has nine national parks, called natural monuments locally. One, Pyrénées National Park, is located in southern France, on the border with Spain. Many of the other parks are located along the eastern edge of France, near the borders with Switzerland and Italy and at relatively high altitudes. That means that they’re best visited in the spring and summer months, when average temperatures are higher and you’re less likely to encounter snow. is a good option if you are short on time but want to see a lot of the city.

When is the best time to visit France for skiing?

Most years, the ski season in France runs from December to April. Some destinations are lucky enough to have ski seasons that extend a month or two longer on either side. Tignes, located right on the border of France and Italy, sometimes opens as early as September. By Christmastime, most of the major resorts in the Alps and Pyrénées should be up and running. January through March are the peak of the season, with deepening snowpack and crowds that thin out as the weeks progress toward spring. Can’t get enough snow? Experienced skiers often head to the backcountry of the high alpine zones after the ski resorts close for the season.

Are there any weather hazards in France?

In recent decades, the effects of climate change have been felt throughout France, most commonly materializing in the form of intense summer heat waves, droughts, flooding, and landslides. If you find yourself in France during an extreme weather event, be sure to pay attention to the news and follow all instructions given by local authorities.
No matter where you’re traveling, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected weather disturbances and natural disasters. That’s where a travel insurance policy can really come in handy. With battleface insurance coverage on your trip, you can be protected if extreme weather or a natural disaster cause you to have to cancel, delay your departure, or interrupt a trip to France. What’s more, every policy comes with 24/7 support, in case you need help evacuating, need us to contact your loved ones back home, or require other emergency assistance. The battleface Discovery plan is unique in that you can pick and choose the coverages you need. battleface also offers a Multi-Trip Annual Plan, which has a comprehensive suite of coverages for those who travel more than once per year.
Most importantly, a comprehensive travel insurance policy can provide medical coverage to cover any expenses you might incur if you’re injured or fall ill while traveling and need medical treatment. This is extremely important as your everyday health insurance may not pay for healthcare costs you incur outside of the country. This medical coverage also includes medical evacuation if you need to be transported to a local hospital, or even to a hospital back in the United States.

FRAUD WARNING STATEMENT

FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL STATES OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED BELOW: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or knowingly presents false information in an application for insurance is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

ALASKA: A person who knowingly and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive an insurance company files a claim containing false, incomplete, or misleading information may be prosecuted under state law.

ARIZONA: For your protection Arizona law requires the following statement to appear on this form. Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

CALIFORNIA: For your protection California law requires the following to appear on this form: Any person who knowingly presents false or fraudulent information to obtain or amend insurance coverage or to make a claim for the payment of a loss is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in state prison. 

COLORADO:  It is unlawful to knowingly provide false, incomplete, or misleading facts or information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the company. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines, denial of insurance and civil damages. Any insurance company or agent of an insurance company who knowingly provides false, incomplete, or misleading facts or information to a policyholder or claimant for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the policyholder or claimant with regard to a settlement or award payable from insurance proceeds shall be reported to the Colorado division of insurance within the department of regulatory agencies.

DELAWARE: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to injure, defraud or deceive any insurer, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

FLORIDA:  Any person who knowingly and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurer files a statement of claim or an application containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is guilty of a felony of the third degree.

IDAHO: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to defraud or deceive any insurance company, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

INDIANA: A person who knowingly and with intent to defraud an insurer files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information commits a felony.

KANSAS: A “fraudulent insurance act” means an act committed by any person who, knowingly and with intent to defraud, presents, causes to be presented or prepares with knowledge or belief that it will be presented to or by an insurer, purported insurer, broker or any agent thereof, any written, electronic, electronic impulse, facsimile, magnetic, oral, or telephonic communication or statement as part of, or in support of, an application for the issuance of, or the rating of an insurance policy for personal or commercial insurance, or a claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy for commercial or personal insurance which such person knows to contain materially false information concerning any fact material thereto; or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto.

KENTUCKY: 

Application: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance containing any materially false information or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime.

Claim Form: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files a statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime.

MAINE: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines or a denial of insurance benefits.

MARYLAND:  Any person who knowingly or willfully presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or who knowingly or willfully presents false information in an application for insurance is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

MINNESOTA:  A person who files a claim with intent to defraud or helps commit a fraud against an insurer is guilty of a crime.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Any person who, with a purpose to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurance company, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is subject to prosecution and punishment for insurance fraud, as provided in RSA 638:20.

NEW JERSEY:

Application: Any person who includes any false or misleading information on an application for an insurance policy is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Claim Form: Any person who knowingly files a statement of claim containing any false or misleading information is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

PENNSYLVANIA: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime and subjects such person to criminal and civil penalties.

NEW MEXICO: ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY PRESENTS A FALSE OR FRAUDULENT CLAIM FOR PAYMENT OF A LOSS OR BENEFIT OR KNOWINGLY PRESENTS FALSE INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE IS GUILTY OF A CRIME AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CIVIL FINES AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

OHIO: Any person who, with intent to defraud or knowing that he is facilitating a fraud against an insurer, submits an application or files a claim containing a false or deceptive statement is guilty of insurance fraud.

OKLAHOMA: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to injure, defraud or deceive any insurer, makes any claim for the proceeds of an insurance policy containing any false, incomplete or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

OREGON: IMPORTANT NOTE: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or knowingly presents false information in an application for insurance may be guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

TENNESSEE: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefit.

TEXAS: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in state prison. 

VIRGINIA: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefits. 

WASHINGTON: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefits.

NEW YORK*:  Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information, or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto, commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime, and shall also be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars and the stated value of the claim for each such violation.