4 Overseas Departments (Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique and Réunion), each equally making up one region since the law of 31.12.1982
4 Overseas Territories (Wallis and Fortuna Isles, New Caledonia and Dependencies, French Polynesia, and the French Southern and Antarctic Territories) having special status
and 2 Autonomous Regions (Mayotte and Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon).
France has the benefit of a temperate, rather agreeable climate.
Continental France is divided into four climatic zones:
• Oceanic and humid climate with cooler summers to the west of a line from Bayonne to Lille;
• Semi-continental climate with harsh winters and hot summers in Alsace, Lorraine, along the Rhone corridor and in the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central);
• Intermediate climate with cold winters and hot summers in the north, and in the Paris and central regions;
• Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very hot summers in the south of France.
Weather forecasts given out for each Department by local forecasters are available by calling 0 892 68 02 XX (XX = number of the Department) 0,34?/min or from the website www.meteo.fr
The forecasts are updated three times a day on average. The forecasts are for 7 days. They are more detailed as and when the actual day approaches.
Alternatively, very detailed average weather information on the main French cities can be found at:
www.weather2travel.com
