Would you like to know what the summer weather is like in Normandy? I can easily describe it in just one word: schizophrenic.
You wake up to sun.
Then by the time you've made coffee and want to sit out in the garden, it's drizzling. Then the sun comes back out for a few hours, followed by a two minute shower.
Sun.
Rain.
Sun.
Rain.
Sun.
Rain.
Then, almost every evening, bright sun and blue skies.
It's pretty fabulous.
By contrast, the summer weather in the south of France is more consistent. And by consistent, I mean it's either all or nothing.
Mind-numbing heat for weeks on end that sap your energy and your appetite. Errands must be run early in the day and salads, ice cream and glasses of cold rosé become your best friends.
Strong winds, not mere gusts, but winds, that blow for days.
Violent thunderstorms that dump buckets of rain and knock out power, then disappear as quickly and dramatically as they arrived.
It's beautiful, it's the south of France for heaven's sake!
But it's not for the faint of heart.
I'm discovering that extremely hot weather doesn't suit me anymore. Maybe if our house in the south of France had had central A/C and a swimming pool, then the heat wouldn't have bothered me so much. But those are luxuries that we never had, so it's hard to know.
What I do know, is that for me, summer in Normandy is perfect!
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28 comments:
Oh, that first picture made me gasp, it's that gorgeous. Please, send over some of your rain --eastern US is frying, grass all brown, temps around 100. No fun!
Beautiful photos! I agree - when you have comforts of cool air and water..one can deal with almost anything...but alas..we are all not so lucky. In Southwestern France...summer is a bit similar to the north..warm sunny days...intermittent rain...winds..but I agree - so nice!! We're loving France too...especially being able to eat outside as much as we do!
Absolutely fabulous Jennifer, I think you have found your true home in France, this is just by your posts that I have read...An amazing place to live.
Sounds like Seattle summer... only you have more sun. And fun French stuff.
I could sure use some of that madness, the rain part in particular.
That silly weather makes for a lush countryside, and therefore for tasty milk - i.e. cheese. It is also excellent for all plantations and mushrooms.
Emm
Thanks, I took that photo in our garden yesterday.
I've been reading about the heat wave you're having. Sounds awful! I hope it breaks soon! Hang in there.
AMB
I'm so happy not to be suffering through another summer in the Languedoc!
We love eating in our garden without wilting from the heat.
Anne
Thanks! We really think we made the right decision by moving.
SE
It is a lot like Seattle! It also reminds me of northern California weather. And yes, we have more French stuff.
:)
spacedlaw
The cows seem very content here, and the delicious cheese is proof of that!
It's still a bit too cold for me, but you're right about the weather being schizophrenic and wonderful! I'd just like to be able to wear a skirt or summer dress more often.
I would most likely opt for Normandy weather too, given the heatwave that is holding Italy hostage. We live up north, at higher altitude, so it isn't so bad like in other areas. Rain isn't such a bad thing if it comes and goes (sure helps out with the water bill which is just outrageous in summer!).
We were tired of the schizophrenic weather in the west of Ireland, so we moved to Charente. The weather here seems to be a nice compromise between the wild Atlantic wind and rain in Ireland (it literally almost never stopped) and the deep South of France, where the constant heat would kill us. Beautiful photos, thank you.
So glad to see you're so happy with your move and your changeable weather. It looks gorgeous!
We've just got rain in eastern U.K at the moment - a two year drought was solved in just one month. I don't like it too hot but the rain is getting just a little tedious :-( Still I've got your photos to cheer me up. Thankyou.
Fabulous pictures. I'll have to visit France again soon.
Ever since I was a child I have dreaded our Australian summers...too, too hot! Sounds great where you have moved to..
Beautiful writing, beautiful pics! So glad to have found you.
Dawn, from Choosing The Better Life
chickster
I know what you mean. I'm loving it right now, but I wonder if I'll be craving more sun by next summer.
Rowena
Hope the heat has broken!
You must have a big garden?
puppyfur
I love the Charente! We almost moved there, but came to Normandy and fell in love with this region.
Thanks for stopping by to comment.
Mlle Paradis
Thank you. :)
We are very happy, indeed!
Sharon
The year I moved away from Seattle, Washington, there had been 100 days of rain in a row. 100 days!
I'm hoping it doesn't get that bad here, but if it does, we always have the south of France to escape to.
Christine
Thanks! Hope you get back soon.
Anon
I hope you're close to the beach? Or something? :)
Dawn
Glad to have met you too! I look forward to reading more of your island adventures. Take care!
Summer in the south of France sounds like summer in Michigan lately. It's going to be 100 in Ann Arbor today! I agree with you, I prefer the chilly north. Ireland last summer was perfect. We'll be in Sablet next week, but at least there's a pool!
Well in honor of summer...There's something for you over on my blog, I'm spreading sunshine
Liza
Hope you're having a wonderful time sitting by the pool in Sablet. :)
(it's raining here today)
American Mom
Thanks so much! Sorry it took me so long to respond to this...
Great to see someone else appreciating Normandy's very normal weather...to an English person anyway! Many people don't understand why we don't want to move further south than Normandy...we tell them we're not moving for the weather, we're moving to France, because we love France!
Vive
A perfect answer!
Our friends in the south thought we were crazy for moving north, but we're so happy we did!
Wow, every photo is stunning. Summer in Normandy looks so beautiful
Louise
It is! You should come and see it!
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