This area is famous for having more than 300 days of sunshine a year!
The Languedoc weather sees far greater variation than the UK – long hot summers and crisp, bright winters. What you don’t get are the endless days of grey and drizzle. Even in the depths of winter, more often than not you will find bright blue skies and sunshine – warm enough to enjoy lunches al fresco
In the heart of the Pyrénées, this area is renowned for its micro-climate and the nearby village of Eus is reputed to be the sunniest in France. Whilst the Tramontana wind can blow for days down on the coast, the Rotja Valley is protected by the Canigou and we rarely get strong winds. It really is beautiful here at any time of year.
Spring
A spectacular time of year as all the fruit trees burst into blossom against a back-drop of the snow-peaked mountains of the Pyrénées. The Rotja Valley is a great fruit growing area. The main fruit grown here is apples but you will also find an abundance of cherries, apricots and peaches. This is the perfect time of year for walking and mountain biking – clear blue skies and warm sun, but without the intense heat of the summer months. You may get some spectacular spring rain but it doesn’t last for long and sunny days are never far away.
Summer
The Languedoc enjoys a long, hot summer. From May until October it is generally warm enough to swim in the rivers, lakes, swimming pools and sea. Lazy evening barbeques can go on until midnight enjoying the warm evenings and starry skies. The Côte Vermeille has many miles of uninterrupted golden sandy beaches to explore, with lots of places to sail and windsurf….. or you can simply relax and chill-out by the side of our swimming pool and enjoy the mountain views.
Autumn
Many local people claim the autumn to be their favourite time of year. As the leaves change colour the fields become a riot of colour and the intense summer heat eases into a very pleasant warmth. The perfect time of year for hiking and biking with superb views and a manageable temperature. The weather here is never boring – the mountains can produce some cracking storms and dry mountain paths can become torrents in a matter of minutes (and I speak from personal experience here!) but somehow this just adds to the beauty of the area when you know the sun will soon return.
Winter
The Languedoc enjoys greater extremes of weather than the UK. We are situated only a short drive from the ski resorts of Font Romeu and Les Angles and less than 2 hours from Andorra – it really is possible to ski in the morning and walk along the beach in the afternoon! The temperature can drop to well below freezing over-night, but more often than not it is hot enough to enjoy lunch sitting outside in the mid-day sun. All accommodation at La Châtaigneraie has heating making it suitable for year-round use. The main lounge and Capsole apartment both have log-burners – the perfect base for a cosy family Christmas.
