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Weather & Income in Haute Pyrenees


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We are looking at properties in the Haute Pyrenees to set up Gites and a Restaurant but need to know what the weather tends to be like, Is it as wet in the summer months as some people say? The area looks like there is plenty for holiday makers to do, is it really popular both summer and winter?

 

Any information gratefully received

 

S&S

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Hi S&S and welcome to the forum.

I'd hate to see you throw your money down the pan so it may be a good idea to rent somewhere in your chosen area for a year so that you get to know it well, its good and bad points/places, how much rain, sunshine and snow there is and what the holidaymakers (all nationalities) want!

Renting is generally cheaper than the UK in most rural areas of France as it is more normal to rent rather than buy (for the French). For a long let go to a French immobilier (or look at small ads in local papers) as long gite rentals (especially UK owned) are expensive. As a tenant you have more rights than UK tenants, sign longer contracts and can't be chucked out so easily, but have to give longer notice (and occasionally the properties are not too great so have a good look round)

You can never do too much research. Best of luck.............helen

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I should have said, we are already renting in the Haute Garonne and looking at various areas in the Midi Pyrenees. With that in mind, any advise from people already in the area will be gratefully received

 

S&S

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I should have said, we are already renting in the Haute Garonne and looking at various areas in the Midi Pyrenees. With that in mind, any advise from people already in the area will be gratefully received

 

S&S

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We live in N Lot so only just in Midi Pyrenees

Wet when it rains

Hot in the summer

Very dark at night

We are at 464m so have different weather to the next town less than 2 miles away but 200m lower

What else do you need to know ? BTW Midi Pyrenees is a big area where the population is not very dense so this Forum can only offer v limited info

John

p.s suggest that you take at look at the various weather sites online

 

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Hi  S&S

 

We’re in the South of the Hautes Pyrenees.

 

Yesterday, it was 26 degrees, clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. It has been like that for most of October, although I must admit that this year is exceptional. The snow has just started to fall in the mountains, and hopefully our local ski station will open about mid November, with the other stations opening by Xmas. During the winter, it’s normal to have a mix of weather. Crisp, sunny days with blue skies and sunshine, or grey, wet days. What we don’t have, is the biting cold wind that makes England cold. Here, if its cold, its because you are surrounded by snow – dress up warm and its wonderful! Snow should stay around til April, in the mountains (above 1,500m), melting through May and June as temps warm up.

Summer weather can be mixed too. It’s rarely cold (below 20 degrees), but we do get grey and wet days mixed in with hot, sunny days. Hot days are mid thirties. July and August brings the thunder and lightning storms. Usually last about an hour, around about 6pm each evening. Good for clearing the air.

Autumn is beautiful – this year has been amazing as the weather is so good. Still waiting for many of the leaves to turn red!

 

Income – high season in this area is July, August, Xmas and New Year, and February. June and September are also very busy. Low season is May and October, other months are mid season. In high season, everywhere is full – all accommodation, restaurants etc. If you haven’t booked in advance, you don’t get in! Low season produces very few tourists, and mid season brings people to the area, so if you are good, you’ll get the business! Restaurants in our town come and go very quickly – they seem to be around for the high seasons, then disappear on the mid/low seasons and a new one appears next year.

 

Property – you need to find a business in a ski resort if you want to benefit from the winter tourists. People don’t like to drive on a winters evening, so you have to be close to them. Being 15 mins out of the mountains will be too far! Isolated properties in the mountains also suffer from being snowed in for weeks on end. Buy at an altitude below 800m (the normal snow line) or in a ski resort where roads will always be kept clear.

 

As you are looking to run a gite and a restaurant, perhaps you should consider combining the two and running a chambre and table d’hotes. Find a big house – offer accommodation to 10 – 15 guests, serve good food every night, and you will have a business than can be comfortably run by two people, and can support a couple or small family.

You can always expand into a restaurant later when you have studied the demand.

 

I have also sent you a pm

 

Regards and good luck,

JP

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