weather beaujolais france

Our independent walking holidays start at the begining of April and its from this month onwards that the weather starts to have a marked difference to that found in the north of France or the UK.

France has a temperate climate (although there are wide temperature differences between summer and winter) and is largely influenced by Atlantic weather systems. Southern France benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate whilst eastern France is partially influenced by a continental air mass.

Beaujolais is at the junction between these different air masses and their respective influence depends on the prevailing wind directions. The western slopes of the mountains and summits receive more rainfall than the sunnier eastern slopes and valleys. Most of our walking or trekking holidays and the wine areas are found in the drier eastern areas.

Temperatures vary with altitude and so there will be a difference between average temperatures on our two different independent walking holidays, as the Ridge Walk takes place at higher altitudes. On the Medieval Village Tour temperatures could on average be a couple of degress cooler on the highest points than the averages given below, whilst those for the highest summits on the Ridge walk could be 3 - 4 degrees cooler. The wind at altitude is not such a factor as it can be in some mountainous areas in France or the Uk.

From April to October the Beaujolais is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather). Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its southerly position in France and the sun's strnegth means that you must protect yourelf against the sun even on overcast days.

Below you'll find a graph showing the average rainfall and temperatue values for the Lyon region. This is identical to low altitude areas of the Beaujolais. The higher Beaujolais hills will have an effect on these averages, as decribed above. You can also view a chart with the actual figures for the average weather conditions.