Duras is a quiet town set away in the South West of France in the picturesque Lot-et-Garonne department. It has four distinct seasons throughout the year and does not experience any particularly extreme weather. Late French writer, Marguerite Donnadieu, took the writerâs name Marguerite Duras from this French town where her fatherâs house was located. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Summer
Summer is typically the hottest time of year in Duras with average temperatures reaching a warm 21°C in July and August, ideal for days out and achieving that sun-kissed-skin look. Summer is also the driest time of year with only 42 millimetres of rainfall throughout the whole of June.
Autumn
Autumn is typically slightly cooler than summer with the average temperature dropping down to a cool 9°C in November. However, September and October tend to have comfortable temperatures around 18°C. Not only is autumn cooler than summer in Duras, but wetter as well, with up to around 86 millimetres of rainfall in November â" one of the wettest months of the year.
Winter
Winter in Duras is typically the coldest season of the year with a mean temperature of 6°C to 7°C throughout the winter months. January also has 86 millimetres of rainfall â" similar to November â" but rainfall is still rather moderate with precipitation levels hitting above 50 millimetres in December and February as well. As weather in Duras can be wet and cold during the winter months, visitors are recommended to check out the weather forecast before their stay and to come prepared.
Spring
Spring in Duras is, thankfully, a time when the weather begins to warm up once more with more sunshine and less rain! Temperatures reach up to about 16°C in May â" the hottest month in spring â" and the mean temperature hangs around a cool yet comfortable 11°C in March and April. Although spring is a drier time of year compared to winter, Duras still receives its fair share of rainfall, with up to 75 millimetres of precipitation in March â" the wettest month at Durasâ springtime.
All in all, the town of Duras is a pretty and unspoilt part of France and an ideal holiday destination for those looking for a peaceful break and a chance to relax. Durasâ main attraction is the beautiful Chateau de Duras. If you choose to visit and explore the castle, it will bring you to a number of ornately decorated rooms and pretty interior courtyard. For all you lovers of wine, Duras offers a fine selection of wines â" a visit to the Maison du Vin is a great place to start! Duras is an ideal place for one to sit at a small table in a French caf© and participate in the well known and loved past time of people-watching, sipping at whatever drink takes your fancy.