Loire/Auvergne - May or September?
 

We are beginning to plan a trip to the Loire Valley (around Tours) and Auvergne (Cantal) in which we will have gites and be after history, scenery, small towns/villages and a little very gentle walking.

One of the questions exercising our minds is whether to head for September 2012 or May 2013.

Average climate figures suggest there is not much to choose between those months, but is there any particular difference in the type of weather, visibility etc that the averages do not reflect?

May initially seemed more attractive (flowers, longer days) but it appears to have a series of public holidays: Labour Day, Victory Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost. Are those days marked by much upheaval in terms of heavier traffic, more tourists at sites etc?

Advice welcomed.

Michael

weather2travel.com

better warmer greener in September

I spent a lot of time in the past at

Chateau D'Esclimont awesome that time of year.

Well I'd go for May but make it later rather than earlier (the Loire can have mists in early May), September can also get suddenly cool.

Public holidays will enhance your break rather than spoil it.( Not Bastille day or the main holiday). Note that many of these breaks will be set on Thursday and people make the bridge and take friday off as well.

Thanks for prompt responses.

Michael, We spent two weeks plus in the Loire region this September. We stayed in gites near Angers and near Montrichard. The weather this September was unusually warm which was definitely a bonus. It was a delight to see the vineyards so full of fruit which you don't get to see in May. We often have been to the wine regions of France in May. We did have some rain during our time but most days were sunny and very comfortable.

We visited many of the chateaux but not Chenonceau, Blois or Villandry as we had visited those during our first trip to the Loire. Gardens and flowers were in bloom in Sept but it was obvious they were past their peak. It was wonderfully uncrowded in the area around Angers and noticeably more crowded in the Loire near Tours/Blois.

I know what you mean about May and so many holidays in France. It's better when Easter falls later in April. We've had to modify our travels to avoid being caught up those long May holiday weekends in France. May 2013 looks pretty heavy on holidays--which will only be worse if there is any public elections!! ;;)

Public holidays France 2013
Tuesday 01/01/2013 New Year
Thursday 14/02/2013 Valentine
Sunday 31/03/2013 Easter
Monday 01/04/2013 Easter Monday
Wednesday 01/05/2013 Labour Day
Wednesday 08/05/2013 Victory in Europe
Thursday 09/05/2013 Ascension
Sunday 19/05/2013 Pentecost
Monday 20/05/2013 Pentecost Monday
Sunday 26/05/2013 Mother´s Day
Sunday 16/06/2013 Father´s Day
Sunday 14/07/2013 Bastille Day
Thursday 15/08/2013 Assumption of Mary
Friday 01/11/2013 All Saints
Monday 11/11/2013 Armistice Day 1918
Wednesday 25/12/2013 Christmas

Have fun with your trip planning, Deborah

September won, booking tomorrow.