"300 days of sunshine per year"

So how much hotter is the weather in the Roussillon, compared to the cold and wet climate in the countries of northern Europe? Well, the Roussillon's temperatures vary more than the UK's - with far higher maximums, especially in summer, but minimums that are, in winter at least, just as cold.

Summer in Roussillon can be hot at times - with temperatures in the mid-30's in July (and the mid-40s in 2003!). May, June and September offer the best weather. The Mediterranean is warm enough to swim in from May until September.

It's something you notice most in winter – the Roussillon is much sunnier than the UK. Which means that, even as temperatures drop to freezing in February - you don't have to suffer that awful low grey ceiling of cloud that hangs over Britain for most of the winter.

Rainfall is also lower in Languedoc Roussillon - especially in summer - where the sun can beat down for weeks on end without a drop of rain. Autumn, however, can be very rainy, but rather than miserable British drizzle, it tends to serve up sudden, torrential rainstorms.