We returned from our hols to the South of France (Agde and Milau) last week and are now starting to think about next year. We don't want to travel quite so far, possibly up to 2 days drive (towing) from Calais, but definitely no more. We like places that have nice scenery, hills, lakes, mountains, with a few interesting towns or historical sites and some outdoor actvities suitable for children. Prefer flatter sites with good pools, and water slides would be great.
We don't know too much about the Jura but it looks a lovely area. Does anyone know what is the weather like here at the end of August start of September?
Any info would e greatly appreciated.
Sally.
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You can have a look here at historical records for most large towns/cities in France, (this link is to Lons le Saunier in the Jura) then look back at the date you want to visit, over a number of years. This is a more reliable source than 'we were there in 2007and it rained for two weeks' or 'we had hot sun every day for a month in 2008'!
As you know, we like the sun, and tend to follow the best weather - which is why for about the last six holidays we've ended up in and around the Languedoc/Gorges du Tarn area! Somehow that area seems to be a crescent of sunshine even when most of France is covered with cloud!
For our recent holiday we started in the Dordogne and had stunning weather, but the weather was forecast to become changeable so we moved south to the hills of the Haute Languedoc - temperatures in the high thirties - and then down to the Med - where we had temperatures in the high twenties to low thirties for the remainder of the holiday.
Will have a look at that. Thanks Val. You're right, if anyone asked us what the weather in the Loire is like I'd say just like England cos we were there in 2007 when it rained everywhere!
We do like the warm weather but preferred the coolness of the mountains at night. Made for a better nights sleep. It got very hot on the Med and the move to Millau area was very welcome. We'd love to go back to that area but with just a fortnight we're going to try to stick to somewhere a little closer and we want to explore other areas.
Well... we went to the Alps this year in August and it was wet... so we moved to the Jura.
You really can't tell imo... thats why we don't prebook, especially at end of August/beg of September there are plenty of spaces so I would just book the tunnel/ferry and follow the sun
We'd moved on to the Jura by then... we had really strange weather from 22nd July - 5th August... varied between 24-30 degrees and sunny to 12 degrees and bucketing down... sometimes between the morning and the afternoon. Biggest problem was not being able to plan LOL!
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We did not plan. You cannot in the mountains. |f the sky was clear in the morning we stayed on site on the lake, if it was cloudy we thought about going out. But tbh we did not go out much, the draw of the lake and beach was too much.
Mountains make there own weather.Famous saying in mountainearing circles.Also bear in mind the alps weather varies a lot,the swiss Valais area i.e Zermatt,Saastal has a quarter the rainfall of the Grindelwald area which catches much bad weather being the first major mountain area for oncoming westerlies.Height is obviously another defining factor,higher up equals colder.Ive been clambering around in the snow up valley in the morning and swimming and sunbathing down valley in the swimming pool in the afternoon.
We were camping in the Jura area a few years ago now at the end of Aug, early Sept. Stunning and good walks along the cross country ski tracks. On sites, like most of France, the many facilities are closing for the season. Not good weather though. We got so wet we left after the first week.
------------- What light? I'm still looking for the tunnel.
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Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I've never been to a really mountanous area before so had not factored in the idea of micro-climates and the very changeable weather such scenery brings. Might look at both areas, choose a couple of sites in each area, book the tunnel then decide exactly which one based on the weather when we get to France.
We've just got back from a trip to the Rhone Alps, we travelled through the Jura on route. We camped in Chatel (L'Oustalet)and La Clusaz (Plan Du Furnoy) both beautiful areas. The walking in Chatel was amazing...we got ski lift up to 2,466metres what a fantastic experience. After 4 days we travelled round to La Clusaz and did some lower level walking in the Aravis, again beautiful.
We have been holidaying in France for tha last 15yrs, this was definately one of the best trips.Definately going back to this region next year, but will gen up on the supermarket locations in advance, as the prices in the local stores was inflated, which reflected the clientelle.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Jura or Alps?
