Decided to bring forward my next EU camping trip in 2027 from mid-June to early July to May 2027 instead, in the hope it will be cooler, as it is way to hot now to be enjoyable for me and the dog.
Today in the Freiburg, the temperature was 29degC at 10:30 when I took the dog out for a quick morning walk!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We learnt that lesson some years ago, so now we go to France in May. However this year we were there from 8th-29th May. The first half it was cold, same as UK, chilly wind, cloud, some rain, we huddled in the van reading. The second half after we had fled to the Med was boiling hot, we huddled in the shade reading.
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 19/6/2026
We learnt that lesson some years ago, so now we go to France in May. However this year we were there from 8th-29th May. The first half it was cold, same as UK, chilly wind, cloud, some rain, we huddled in the van reading. The second half after we had fled to the Med was boiling hot, we huddled in the shade reading.
Yup, May 2026 was crazy weather in the UK too - cold and miserable and I even thought about putting the heating back on, then very hot for a few days, then back to seasonal average; some days with all 4-season in one day!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
It's hard to know what the weather will be like these days at a particular time of the year.
We were in France this year from late April to early June and like franbee, experienced the full range of temperatures from cool to heatwave (well over 30 for several days). However, even when it was cool, it was warmer than home, so we didn't feel so bad!
Actually, we'd gone earlier in the year as we were heading further south in France, so hoped it would be cooler for the dogs.
Just can't really predict these days.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
dk add ten on to that just over the border into the Auvergne.
Dogs as always are coping well with a mixture of river swimming and A/C
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 19/6/2026
dk add ten on to that just over the border into the Auvergne.
Dogs as always are coping well with a mixture of river swimming and A/C
Mine does not like water, however, he is happy being indoors with the air con on.
Keeping the air con on during the day and we habinate inside.
Did not wake up until nearly 09:00 as it was so cool and nice with the air con on!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I think it came as a bit of a shock to me many decades ago, on an early trip just how much hotter France can be than the UK. You really don't have to travel very far south from the Channel before hitting temps that are extremely rare in UK, even with the weird 'Global warming' influence of past few years, I'm REALLY not talking the far south on the Med!
My experiences of France have largely revolved around Le Mans (only 100 miles or so south from Chanel ports!) (the 24 hour motor race is our magnet!), and D-day events on the north coast, but have been skiing on the Italian border where we sunbathed in 'not a lot of clothing' on top of a snow covered mountain in the tail end of 'Winter'!
One of our 'fond' memories (bit cruel really!) was when we splashed out on a (to us, expensive!) grandstand seat at the Le Mans 24hour race in early June, which was a bit extravagant by our normal budget standards, but were SO GREATFUL in hindsight when the temps hit 'silly' mid to very high 30's! We were under a roof that provided shade, and there was a much appreciated breeze blowing over us through the open walled Grandstand. We were looking down across the track to friends who didn't indulge in the expense of a grandstand seat and were on terraces in the full sun, we watched them 'roast' in the inescapable direct sun - they visibly 'burnt' (emulating cooked lobster!) before our very eyes, and disappeared before the race even started at 3pm, turned out they were just about avoiding heat stroke and couldn't stand it any more! It was an exceptionally very hot year, but we've had plenty of other 'toasty' years as well, so don't take for granted that it will be comfortable for delicate English constitutions!
Looking at today's weather for Europe, high 30's into low 40's even in northern France, looks like my idea of a literal Hell!
A tent in those temperatures would be intolerable to the point of a health hazard! A caravan/MH would likely not be comfortable, but at least the walls are insulated, the windows will have reflective blinds, and the usually white body would reflect a lot of the suns heat.
My dog and I will spend most of our time over the next few days in the rather uncomfortably hot burbs of London, revelling in the 'chill' of A/C'd rooms at home! Early morning walk for the dog before the pavements reach paw searing temps, and she'll have to settle for a dash into the garden in the afternoon instead of her usual walk. She's not overly bothered by heat, despite having a thick double coat on account of being a long coated Border Collie, but I fear for her paws on too hot paths, and as she's now an old girl of 12, I see no point in stressing her unnecessarily!
We tend to go early June and early Sept, and haven't faired overly well with weather over the past 4 or 5 trips, so this past fortnight has been most welcome, albeit "on the limit" towards the end! (Weather apps declaring c. 32deg on La Loire).
(We arrived at night on the 3rd, and got home last night (20th), and the first few days were a tad cloudy/cool, (needed hoodies on when cycling) but then it got sunnier/hotter each day.
Our in-van thermometer showed 47deg when we got back one day. Every day after that, it showed "Hi", so we've now learned it must stop reading at 50 deg!
Needless to say, we quickly open the van up and we switch our two mini oscillating fans back on when we get back (No A/C!), but it took a good few hours of being sat outside before being comfortable to go back in! Showering and eating later than the norm, but we just about adapted ok.
Managed to plan and squeeze in a 3-week trip in May 2027 which is not easy due to work and other committments.
Just need to plan for the dog's worm treatment by checking the French public holidays.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
May can be tricky as they close down for Ascension Day, then again for Pentecost. This is a time when booking is more necessary as those weekends can be busy. Ask me how I know.........
Next year Ascension day is 6th May, always a Thursday, when many French take a long weekend, and Pentecost is 16th May with 17th May being a public holiday.
I have checked the public holiday dates for the Netherlands, Germany and France, and have sent them an e-mail to enquire about booking a pitch in May 2027 for 6 nights each.
I always book in advance, and get frustrated with EU sites as they do not accept bookings until after the New Year with their new rates, and some as late as about a month before Easter!!!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We went to the same couple of regions of France for the same 4 weeks every summer for years from mid June to mid July. We have experienced every type of weather imaginable except snow! We have had very cold, rainy, blustery weeks, dull, overcast but pleasantly warm weeks, hot, sunny weeks and scorching, overly hot weeks with temperatures in the high 30s. It is just luck of the draw what you get. Hopefully May will be just right for you next year.
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 21/6/2026
May can be tricky as they close down for Ascension Day, then again for Pentecost. This is a time when booking is more necessary as those weekends can be busy. Ask me how I know.........
Next year Ascension day is 6th May, always a Thursday, when many French take a long weekend, and Pentecost is 16th May with 17th May being a public holiday.
… and don’t forget May 1st (Labour Day)and May 8th (VE Day).
We were in France this year from late April to early June, so got them all!
Fewer supermarkets close for the full day nowadays, most open for the morning but you can’t take it for granted!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Too hot!
via mobile 19/6/2026 at 4:43pm
Showering and eating later than the norm, but we just about adapted ok. 
