Talking About the Weather in French

Talking about the weather (le temps) is a classic topic in French conversations — just like in English! In this lesson, you’ll learn how to describe different kinds of weather, ask about it, and understand what French people mean when they say “Il fait beau.”

Talking About the Weather

Asking About the Weather

As we can see from the table above, we can use the expression, Quel temps fait-il ? to ask about the weather in French.

The construction of the answer then depends on the type of weather we are describing.

Using Il fait…

We often use il fait followed by an adjective to talk about general weather conditions — literally, “it makes.”

For example, Il fait beau.

Grammar Tip:
In French, il doesn’t refer to a person — it’s an impersonal “it” that we use for weather. Il fait beau literally means “it makes nice (weather)”, which explains the use of faire (“to make / to do”).

Using Il y a…

We use il y a (“there is / there are”) when we describe things you can see in the sky.

Note:
You can combine this with beaucoup de to say Il y a beaucoup de nuages → “It’s very cloudy.”

Using Il… (without fait or y a)

For rain and snow, we use just “il” + a verb.

What Is the Weather Like in France?

France has a wide range of climates, so the weather can vary a lot depending on where you are. It is usually described as having three main climate types: Mediterranean, continental, and oceanic. The mountain regions also have their own climate, especially at higher elevations.

In the south of France, the climate is Mediterranean. Summers are often hot and dry, while winters are usually mild. This is the part of France where you are most likely to hear phrases like Il fait chaud — “It’s hot” — or Il fait du soleil — “It’s sunny”.

In the central and eastern regions of France, including Paris, the climate is more continental. Summers can be warm or very warm, while winters can be cold. These areas can also have significant rainfall during the year.

In the west of France, including areas near the Atlantic coast and Brittany, the climate is oceanic. This means the weather is often mild but changeable, with plenty of rainfall throughout the year. In these regions, phrases like Il fait gris — “It’s grey” — or Il pleut — “It’s raining” — may be especially useful.

The mountain regions of France, such as the Alps and the Pyrenees, have colder weather at higher elevations. Snow is common on the mountain peaks, especially in winter. In the mid-ranges, the climate can be closer to an oceanic climate, but elevation makes a big difference.

Weather is also a useful topic for small talk in French. Just like in English, people often mention the weather to start a friendly conversation. You might hear or say Quel temps aujourd’hui !, which means something like “What weather today!” or “What weather we’re having today!” It sounds natural as a simple comment on the day’s weather.

Learn More: Weather in France

Forecasts:
The weather forecast is la météo — you might hear “la météo dit qu’il va pleuvoir” (“the forecast says it’s going to rain”).