Seasons in French: How to talk about the colorful seasons

Seasons determine the pace of our existence. They serve as a soothing reminder that in nature, everything is constantly renewed, and everything goes as intended, despite any challenges that may arise. It is no wonder that seasons hold great significance and symbolism in many cultures around the world. This article will help you learn the seasons in French and how you can use them in your conversations.

Seasons in French: Vocabulary and example sentences

It is essential to learn French grammar, vocabulary, tense formation and sentence structuring to achieve fluency. In French, “season” is “saison” (plural “saisons”). In the table below, there are four major seasons in French:

English	French
Summer	Été
Autumn / Fall	Automne
Winter	Hiver
Spring	Printemps
The rainy season	La saison des pluies
The dry season	La saison sèche

Summer in French

Countries	Summer months range
France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco	June-September
Canada	June- September Été indien : Octobre
Haiti	April-October
Vanuatu	November-April(Southern hemisphere)
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Around the equator	July-September with some variations
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Southern hemisphere	November-March with some variations

French summer words

English	French
Hot	Chaud
Sunny	Ensoleillé
Dry	Sec
Thirsty	Assoiffé
Gelato	Glace
Swimming	Baignade
Beach	Plage
Vacation	Vacances
Flip flops	Tongs
Heat	Chaleur

Fall in French

Countries	Fall months range
France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco	September-December
Canada	September-December Beautiful fall colors during the “Été indien” (October)
Haiti	No fall, per say
Vanuatu	No fall, per say
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Around the equator	No fall, per say
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Southern hemisphere	No fall, per say

French fall words

English	French
Leaves	Feuilles
Orange	Orange
Cooling down	Rafraîchir
Harvest	Moisson
Pumpkin	Citrouille, potiron
Mushrooms	Champignons
Forest	Forêt
Wind	Vent

Learning months in French can help you carry out basic conversations. You can also develop the confidence to inquire about changing weather conditions with the locals and prepare proactively for the extreme weather.  

Winter in French

Countries	Winter months range
France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco	December-March
Canada	December-March (later in Northern Québec)
Haiti	November-March
Vanuatu	May-October (Southern hemisphere)
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Around the equator	October-June with some variations
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Southern hemisphere	April-October with some variations

French winter words

English	French
Cold	Froid
Snowing	Neige
Freezing	Gèle
Ice	Glace
Frost	Givre, gel
Scarf	Écharpe
Gloves	Gants
Snowman	Bonhomme de neige
Christmas tree	Sapin de Noël
Fireplace	Cheminée
Snowshoes	Raquettes

You must also learn basic French greetings to make these seasons more exciting and memorable. For example, learning to say good night in French can allow you to get closer to the people you like and adore.

Spring in French

Countries	Spring months range
France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco	March-June
Canada	March-June
Haiti	No spring, per say
Vanuatu	No spring, per say
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Around the equator	No spring, per say
Most of the French-speaking African countries — Southern hemisphere	No spring, per say

French spring words

English	French
Flowers	Fleurs
New life	Nouvelle ville
Birds	Oiseaux
Gardening	Faire le jardin
Sunny, but cool	Ensoleillé mais frais
Green	Vert
Breeze	Brise
Renewal	Renouveau

Examples of sentences using seasons in French

L’été (summer)

• Dans ma région, l’été est chaud et humide (In my region, summer is hot and humid).
• L’été est ma saison préférée. J’adore la plage ! (Summer is my favorite season. I just love the beach!).

L’automne (fall/autumn)

• En automne, je vais souvent ramasser des champignons. (In fall, I often go mushroom picking).
• Manges-tu des châtaignes en automne ? (Do you eat chestnuts in fall?)

L’hiver (winter)

• Je trouve que la neige embellit toujours le paysage. (I think snow always makes the landscape nicer).

Le printemps (spring)

• Quelle est ta fleur printanière préférée ? (What’s your favorite spring flower?)

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Frequently asked questions

What are the names of the four seasons in French?

In French, the four seasons are “le printemps” (spring), “l’été” (summer), “l’automne” (autumn/fall), and “l’hiver” (winter). Each season brings its own distinct characteristics and is an integral part of the cultural and natural rhythm in France.

What are some seasonal foods in France?

Spring (le printemps) brings delicate flavors such as asparagus, strawberries, lamb, and fresh herbs like tarragon and chives. Summer (l’été) highlights vibrant produce like tomatoes, zucchini, peaches, and seafood such as oysters and mussels from coastal regions.

Autumn (l’automne) introduces hearty dishes featuring mushrooms, pumpkins, apples, and chestnuts, alongside game meats like venison and wild boar. Winter (l’hiver) offers rich indulgences such as truffles, root vegetables like turnips and parsnips, game birds such as duck and pheasant, and comforting stews like cassoulet and pot-au-feu.

How do the seasons affect tourism in France?

Spring (le printemps) attracts visitors eager to explore gardens in full bloom, historic landmarks, and cultural events with moderate weather and fewer crowds compared to peak summer months. Summer (l’été) sees a surge in tourism, especially in coastal resorts, major cities, and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, with long sunny days and a bustling atmosphere.

Autumn (l’automne) appeals to wine enthusiasts embarking on vineyard tours and cultural travelers enjoying the tranquility of autumnal landscapes and local festivals celebrating regional heritage and culinary traditions. Winter (l’hiver) draws winter sports enthusiasts to the French Alps and Pyrenees for skiing and snowboarding adventures, while cities charm visitors with festive markets, cultural events, and holiday traditions.

Conclusion

The seasons in France offer a variety of experiences and activities throughout the year. Whether you enjoy the summer heat, autumn colors, spring blooms, or winter sports, there is always something to appreciate. Expand your vocabulary related to French seasons and feel free to talk about them with locals.

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