The temperatures of the Loire valley are about 1-2 degrees warmer than the south of England and the summers can get quite hot. However, due to Atlantic influences, it is not an unbearable heat and is often accompanied by pleasant breezes.

Spring and autumn are probably the best times to go, as the days are still bright and warm and there are fewer visitors. The Loire Valley is a popular destination with tourists, and the major sites, such as vineyards and chateaux, can become very busy.

In addition to foreign tourists, from mid-July to the end of August, many French city dwellers come to holiday in the countryside.