Best time of year for Provence
 

Despite a good deal of travel in France over the years, I have somehow missed Provence. I am thinking of going in October, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has been there during that month as to whether it is a good time weatherwise. I have heard that it tends to be rainy during October. Thanks, SUsary.

I hope you don't mind if I piggy-back on your question. I'd like to know how late in the Spring I can go to Provence before it gets hot. I live in Arizona and have plenty of hot weather,so I'd like to avoid temperatures above 75 degrees. Is early May too late to avoid temps in the 80's?

We were in Provence in the last 2 weeks of May 4 years ago, and the days were pretty hot and humid - 29-30 C (possibly 85-90 F) but the nights were cool - 12-15C. We were doing a lot of walks in shorts and t-shirts, drinking lots of water, and there was a heat haze that decreased the views a bit. I'm from Qld Australia so we're used to heat and humidity in Summer and this was ok. No rain then.

We have travelled to Provence for many years-in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Generally, weather is pleasant in Spring though towards the end you can start to get warmer days. Summers are hot and dry, nice and cool in the evenings. We even dipped in the pool one October when the weather hit 80 degrees though you can run in to Mistrals, wind storms, in the Fall. Temperature can drop 20 degrees in hours but little or no rain usually accompanies a Mistral.

A rain coat is helpful regardless of when you go but particularly for the Fall. As the Irish say there is no bad weather just a poor selection of clothing.

We were in Provence in late May 3 years ago. The weather was spectacular for the most part, cool (too cool to swim) and brilliantly sunny. For two days we had a Mistral - I was surprised as I assumed they were a winter weather feature. Otherwise, we found late May a perfect time. Several years ago we were in Provence in late September/early October. Again the weather was lovely but the days were shorter. For that reason, I would recommend May.

SUsary,
We were in Provence last Oct8-17. Daytime temps were in the 70's and evening temps were in the 50's - perfect we thought. There was a light rain the first day but after that it was clear and sunny. Also, one other benefit - no crowds.
JoeG

Su, one thing though to know, that in the month of October, alot of places close for the season in October, so check on your choice but you will have plenty to chose from should that one be closed.

Hi

as usual no guarantees with the weather, but ..........

I'd say May /June and September / October are the best times to visit. Its quieter and not too hot.

Today was cloudless sky, 25C, 25% humid, very little wind inland here (about 25miles from Provence). And if you are into sailing it was between 10 and 20 knots in Golfe de Lion.

Weather history here : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv...historical.htm

Regards
Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

Hi SU,
Hubby and I have been to Provence both in the Spring and in the Fall months.
Spring was absolutely beautiful with sunny days, cool nights. We did encounter the infamous Mistral winds one day while in L'Isle Sur La Sorgue. On another trip in October it rained probably every day we were there. Heavy torrential rains where we had to pull off to the side of road. To sum it all up, I would definately say that the month of May, and September would be your best month to visit Provence, so I have heard. Either time we had a fabulous stay in beautiful, magical Provence. Enjoy.
Francie

I'm not sure about the best, probably May or September, but I can tell you that late July and all of August are the worst. Then it is hot, humid, and very crowded.

I was in Provence -- the Cote d'Azur part of Provence -- in October a few years ago and the weather was gorgeous. In addition to that, there were some nice fall colors up in the mountains behind Nice.

A year later, when I was in western Provence -- the area around Arles -- it was in September and we had two days of rain, including a downpour in Arles.

Marthag:
I too live in the deserts of Az. We wer in Arles the first week of June last year and I recall being very comfortable. If I were to guess, the temps were in the mid 70's and dry. We walked and sat in the sun and felt comfortable. Perhaps it's our "desert breeding" that keeps us comfortable in what others would classify as warm-hot weather :-)

Everything said here is true-BUT-if you stay away from the crowded villages(they do not bother me) I prefer July and early August because that is the only time you can see the lavender fields and the sunflowers. At the end of august the harvesting is almost finished.

Hey SUsary. Obviously all depends on your luck, but we were there last October and had perfect weather. Sunny and warm - but not too hot - in the days, cooling down to chilly sweater weather at night. The fireplaces were going in the evenings, and we were poolside during the day. Can't beat that with a stick. And there were almost no crowds, even in the places like Gordes that are overrun in the summer. I think France in October is parfait!

SUsary,
I have been living in PA for few years, but I am actually from Provence.
mid-september/October are the months when most of the flooding are happening. It's not really rainey all the time but when it starts: it's really pouring down.

Marthag: You should get fair weather until June. Remember that depending on the area you are in, it can be very windy, and feel a bit fresher.


Celine