France in early June - how far south to go to get the sun?

[chipperchick]

We are planning to drive to France for a holiday with 2yo and 4yo for first 2 weeks of June. We are looking at Charente area (around Bordeaux, or St Jean d'Angley), or considering the long drive down to Languedoc coast (nr Pezenas/Bezier).
We really want to be warm and be able to swim lots in outdoor pools. Have tried searching for weather info, but still unsure if it's likely to be nice in Charente area? Or if it's really worth the extra drive to get more sun?

Hi, you have chosen a lovely part of France. We are going to St Jean D'Angley for the second time this August.

The weather is not guaranteed at any time in this part of France, but it has a micro climate so does get a lot of sun. For more guaranteed sun you would need to head further south.

A point to be aware of is that Monday 4th June is school half term, so things may be busy, more expensive and already booked. You would be better to go after that. I can highly recommend the fab place that we are staying in which is so well geared up for young children.. www.bestfrenchgites.co.uk

If you want any more info let me know.

Good to know St Jean d'Angley is nice! Is there much to do with kids round there if weather isn't great? Looks like a bit of a drive to Royan or Les Palmyres zoo...Thanks

A great indoor pool in St Jean. We didnt head to Royan or the zoo but its about 45 mins, so not too far.

In good weather St Jean has a lovely river where you can hire pedalos. In Cognac there is a large park with paddling pools, inflatables and a river with boats. I would highly recommend a trip to St Savinien. There are handmade boats to drive around a lake, all the boats are different and it is such a pretty place.

We didnt go out too much as the children were so happy on the gite complex!!

Normally the weather in early June is absolutely lovely - the best time of year to visit in my opinion.

You don't even need to go as far as St Jean D'angely (though it is nice); You could save yourselves an hours drive and stay near Fontenay le Comte in the South Vendee. Bring sun tan cream though - we regularly get 28-32 C in June.

You won't need an indoor pool (we swim outside from 1st May) but do check that there is a heated pool as it is still the beginning of the season and the pools can be Brrrrr.

We stayed in Cognac last year and went Paleosite for the afternoon. That was quite good fun.

It can easily be 30+ in Languedoc in early June (& late May come to that) - be prepared!

I can recommend \link{http://www.frenchentree.com/languedoc-roussillon-holiday/displayarticle.asp?id=25007\ the African Nature Reserve at Sigean} if you do go to Beziers - it's less than an hour away. (But we went on one of the 30+ days, I was wilting in the walking part though the others were OK)

Thanks everyone for the tips! I had no idea it would be so warm in the charente in June - the weather sites seemed to suggest it would be low 20s if we were lucky, so it's seeming like a good option!! And that maybe the south might get too hot for us...

Ruthie thanks for info on St Jean, sounds nice. And pleased to hear that zoo is within easy reach, I remember it from when I was little! Is the countryside pretty round there too? For some reason I have in my mind its a little flat (rather than rolling vineyards etc you get nr Bordeaux)

Frenchfancy - I don't know the south vendee, so if you have any tips on where to stay with gites for 2 families on same site (and yes, a heated pool sounds good!), would be most welcome

Portofino just saw Paleosite website - looks amazing! DH is going to be very excited! And the kids might enjoy it too :)

If you mean 2 families holidaying together then www.vendee-vacances.co.uk is your best bet.

And if you go there you can do a day out at the puy du Fou - which IMO is the best family day out in France.

I also visited st jean d'angely last year in april and it was lovely and warm. we stayed at the same place as Ruthie www.bestfrenchgites.com and it was the best family holiday we have ever had since the kids 'arrived'! they didn't really want to leave site but we went to an animal park, a puzzle chateau (a nice house with loads of games) and some lovely beaches. Plenty to do and lovely sunshine plus a brilliant place to stay.