[Muenchener]

My 13 yo son, having climbed sporadically since he was small and got into indoor bouldering more regularly this year, has now decided he wants to go to Font.

YYFY.

We're tied to school holidays, so I'm wondering when to go. Easter used to be the traditional time, but I assume it's horribly busy these days? Whitsun too late? Summer I assume is pretty much out. I suppose Autumn half term or over Christmas *could* be good if one got lucky with the weather, or could just be rain, snow & damp the whole time.

My last visits were in the mid-80s, when the bivvy spot at Cuvier was not too full even at Easter.

[fried]

Depends what he (you) wants to do. All year is perfect, the summer can be excellent if you're not trying to push your grade and just cruise round some easy circuits. The campsites are half-empty, don't know about the gites, nice for sun-bathing, swimming etc. Easter is packed everywhere, so book in advance, however if you want a bit of quiet it's easy to escape the crowds. Autumn would be my choice, but as always you have to rely on the weather.

[nai]

Easter - yes busy but avoid the honeypots and it can be ok climbing wise.  Book 6 or more months in advance if you want a gite or campsite.  Weather could be anything.

Whit - quieter, generally warmer, much much wetter this year.

October half-term would be my preference and not just because it's next week. The Forest is at it's most beautiful in Autumn colours.

You can pretty much choose a venue to suit the weather as long as it's dryish don't fret too much about temps.  In you current situation just go at the earliest opportunity (but if that's Easter start looking for accommodation right now)

[T_B]

Why not summer? Unless you're trying to climb 8As summer is great. Maybe we've been lucky with low humidity but if you select your problems carefully and obviously don't climb in the sun then it's great. We went at both Easter and August this year and got more done in the summer, including things I failed on at Easter. Plus it was really quiet and swimming in an outdoor pool after a day climbing is a lot nicer than pacing around a gite wondering where will dry quickly the following day. I'd never go in the winter, but October half term is often very good though can be hot so Brits looking for excuses and having a good moan about the temps may be a problem.

(Friction is as much to do with humidity as heat per se. Plus I found the Frictionlabs chalk is noticeably better than standard stuff in the heat.)

[andy_e]

The Forest is at it's most beautiful in Autumn colours.

+1. Going tomorrow for ten days. Psyched.

[dave]

Basically it's good all the time if you alter your expectations and type of problems/crag choice to cater for the weather/conditions, except when it's all wet.

We went last year at Easter and it was great.

[spid3rz]

I'm also tied to the school holidays! I have done Easter and October a few times and as of this year the first two weeks of the summer holidays. The forest was empty and I got loads done... I would definitely recommend the summer (only downside was the extortionate ferry prices), just pick your problems carefully :D

[honroid]

I teach and follow the school holidays too. I have been October - when it rained, Feb - when it rained, Christmas - when it rained... I think Easter tends to be the most stable conditions. Rainfall graphs definitely show October to Feb having most rain by a long way. I like the Easter hols for font as the weather is better, you can have amazing sunny days but also find cool temps early on which help with harder sends and with skin preservation. Also you can have days at busy crags and then duck out to quieter venues on the weekends. It gets busier at weekends for sure. To be honest, I like the forest when it's busy anyway. You can always head to less well trodden venues or even just head a little way from the beaten track at more popular places. Most people don't go exploring that much!
Whatever you decide, enjoy!!!