May-June weather in the Dordogne, Brittany, Normandy
Jun 2nd, 2010, 07:47 AM
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May-June weather in the Dordogne, Brittany, Normandy
We're planning a 3+-week trip to France for spring, 2011. Our tentative itinerary is
Paris
the Dordogne
Brittany
Normandy
I had originally planned to do this in May to take advantage of fewer people, cheaper prices. But the more I learn about the weather in May, I think I might slide it to June. Stu Dudley, in his Dordogne treatise, says he's had bad weather in the Dordogne even in June.
I looked up the climate information, but that doesn't really tell you about sunshine. It's not that we require perfect weather, but I just enjoy travel so much more when it's at least occasionally sunny.
So what do you France experts suggest?
BTW, we are using frequent flyer miles for this trip so need to set the rough parameters of the trip early.
Paris
the Dordogne
Brittany
Normandy
I had originally planned to do this in May to take advantage of fewer people, cheaper prices. But the more I learn about the weather in May, I think I might slide it to June. Stu Dudley, in his Dordogne treatise, says he's had bad weather in the Dordogne even in June.
I looked up the climate information, but that doesn't really tell you about sunshine. It's not that we require perfect weather, but I just enjoy travel so much more when it's at least occasionally sunny.
So what do you France experts suggest?
BTW, we are using frequent flyer miles for this trip so need to set the rough parameters of the trip early.
Jun 2nd, 2010, 09:36 AM
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I suggest you go in May if that's when you want to go because going in June isn't likely to make one bit of difference weatherwise, and it's prettier in May with all the orchards in bloom.
The worst weather we ever had in the Dordogne was 21 solid days of rain out of 25. So Stu had bad weather once in June too? What does that tell you? Nothing at all. I've had 70 F weather in February in the Dordogne, and below freezing in March, and sweltering May afternoons and everything in between.
The worst weather we ever had in the Dordogne was 21 solid days of rain out of 25. So Stu had bad weather once in June too? What does that tell you? Nothing at all. I've had 70 F weather in February in the Dordogne, and below freezing in March, and sweltering May afternoons and everything in between.
Jun 2nd, 2010, 09:52 AM
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>>So Stu had bad weather once in June too?<,
Yep - last week of June & first few days of July '97. It was the first time we stayed in a gite. Rained most days & cloudy all days. The heater in the Gite was working overtime. I had to purchase a sweatshirt. Mud everywhere. We then went to Provence, and it was still too cold to dine outside.
In mid/late June last year it was quite nice. We were there for 2 weeks. No rain at all, almost all sun - but not too hot. Not warm enough to dine outside about 1/3 of the nights.
We were in Brittany in mid-June of '01 for 2 weeks, and there was a heatwave for about 4 days. Then it turned colder. I think June 6 '44 had pretty bad weather. Ike postponed things for 1 day.
Stu Dudley
Yep - last week of June & first few days of July '97. It was the first time we stayed in a gite. Rained most days & cloudy all days. The heater in the Gite was working overtime. I had to purchase a sweatshirt. Mud everywhere. We then went to Provence, and it was still too cold to dine outside.
In mid/late June last year it was quite nice. We were there for 2 weeks. No rain at all, almost all sun - but not too hot. Not warm enough to dine outside about 1/3 of the nights.
We were in Brittany in mid-June of '01 for 2 weeks, and there was a heatwave for about 4 days. Then it turned colder. I think June 6 '44 had pretty bad weather. Ike postponed things for 1 day.
Stu Dudley
Jun 2nd, 2010, 11:32 AM
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And this year we've had snow in May - unheard of in the Dordogne, then 30 degree (Celsius - hot!) then cold and rainy.
In 2003 we had the incredible heat wave, hotter in August, and for most of the rest of the year, than in the last 500 years. The next August people left early to go home because it was so cold. So you can't tell.
May or June are both fine. June does start to get busier as you move toward July.
In 2003 we had the incredible heat wave, hotter in August, and for most of the rest of the year, than in the last 500 years. The next August people left early to go home because it was so cold. So you can't tell.
May or June are both fine. June does start to get busier as you move toward July.
Jun 2nd, 2010, 11:42 AM
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Just returned from Dordogne and the weather was sometimes cool, sometimes warm, sunny, cloudy,a little rain, but nothing that kept us from doing anything. Have been to Normandy,Brittany in May as well a couple of years ago. Cool, some rain, one day a flood, other days nice weather. I like to go end of May places as it usually works well. You can never tell about the weather! Happy travels!!!!
Jun 5th, 2010, 05:15 AM
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I reiterate that weather in May and June can be all over the place. This year we've had balmy weather in early April, wet and cold the rest of the month -- then May was continued cool, "gentle" weather with quite a bit of moisture, and very few warm days. First week of June, though has been fabulous (in the mid-to-high 80s today), but thunderstorms and a cooling trend over the next couple of days, back down into the high 60s and low 70s.
The best thing about the area, though, is that cool and damp weather hasn't slowed any of our guests down. They have still gone hiking, visited caves and castles, gone to markets and bastide villages, undeterred and even profiting from the gentle temperatures and occasional showers (or even downpours). The only guests who suffer are those who've come all the way to the Dordogne to sit by the pool everyday and read novels.
The best thing about the area, though, is that cool and damp weather hasn't slowed any of our guests down. They have still gone hiking, visited caves and castles, gone to markets and bastide villages, undeterred and even profiting from the gentle temperatures and occasional showers (or even downpours). The only guests who suffer are those who've come all the way to the Dordogne to sit by the pool everyday and read novels.
Jun 5th, 2010, 06:14 AM
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Last week we had planned to spend 4 days on the Normandy coast and changed our plans because the weather was forecast to be damp and drizzly. It was, and we were happy to be in Paris instead, with many more indoor opportunities. May is notoriously variable. If you don't want to be damp, go in high summer.
For what it's worth, we spent nearly 3 weeks in Italy last month and most days were at least overcast, if not positively rainy. It's been a weird weather year though, all over Europe.
For what it's worth, we spent nearly 3 weeks in Italy last month and most days were at least overcast, if not positively rainy. It's been a weird weather year though, all over Europe.
Feb 6th, 2012, 02:54 PM
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I think the point others were trying to make was that what the weather did last year has no impact on what the weather will do this year. The best you can do is search websites that show averages for things like temp, precipitation and sunshine. The weather in May in 2011 was sunnier and warmer (on average) than it was in June 2011. That has no impact on what it will be like this year.
Feb 6th, 2012, 02:59 PM
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we were in sarlat last may (first week i think) and had lovely weather...we even braved the pool. no rain, lots of sunshine- we have 3 BBQs in a week and ate outside at numerous restauramts 
Have fun- (Sarlat good for market)
Have fun- (Sarlat good for market)
Feb 6th, 2012, 05:15 PM
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In May 2010 we had snow on <i>les saints de glace</i>
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623282383670
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623282383670
Feb 6th, 2012, 06:46 PM
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<<Could I ask if the weather was good for the time you went?>>
Sure you can ask, but the answer is meaningless with regard to YOUR plans. I've spent 20 springtimes in the Dordogne and seen everything from snow and ice to torrential river-flooding rains to cloudy days and freezing nights to T-shirt weather day and night.
Make your plans and then deal with the weather as you get it. NO one can help you figure out what it's going to be like.
Sure you can ask, but the answer is meaningless with regard to YOUR plans. I've spent 20 springtimes in the Dordogne and seen everything from snow and ice to torrential river-flooding rains to cloudy days and freezing nights to T-shirt weather day and night.
Make your plans and then deal with the weather as you get it. NO one can help you figure out what it's going to be like.
Feb 7th, 2012, 06:55 AM
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Another voice saying that anyone else's weather is meaningless - it's changeable here. Don't count on last year's weather particularly, which was the warmest spring in 50 years and the sunniest in 100 (or the reverse, can't remember)
If you really want to have a look at the weather, check Weather Underground, which will tell you the exact temperature for the time you are considering, over the last 5 or 6 years. Still doesn't mean that it will be like that when you are there,but better than someone else saying 'I was there and it was nice' or 'I was there and it rained.'
http://www.wunderground.com/travelplanner/index.asp
If you really want to have a look at the weather, check Weather Underground, which will tell you the exact temperature for the time you are considering, over the last 5 or 6 years. Still doesn't mean that it will be like that when you are there,but better than someone else saying 'I was there and it was nice' or 'I was there and it rained.'
http://www.wunderground.com/travelplanner/index.asp
Feb 7th, 2012, 10:01 AM
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Though it is probably pointless, for our trip last year we had lovely weather in Paris, the Dordogne and Brittany, some rain and wind in Normandy. We ended in Belgium where it poured in Bruges. The weather seems to make a lot of difference in how much I like a place; I was disappointed in Bruges.
