Reminder of summer as France basks in warm sun

The south of the country has already enjoyed a reminder of summer this week - but most of France will bask in above-average temperatures and clear skies over the weekend.

At the start of Saturday, northern cities like Lille and Brest were warmer than normal, touching 15C at sunrise. It was cooler in the Grand Est and Massif Central, though skies were clear. By mid-afternoon, temperatures in the northern half of the country should reach between 19-22C. In the south, meanwhile highs of 29C are expected.

On Sunday, temperatures are expected to peak at between 21-25C in the north of the country, and could reach as high as 29C in parts of the south - though the Languedoc is likely to see clouds return, while temperatures are forecast to reach no more than 24C.

Average temperatures for this time of year are between 15 and 17C in the north, and 17-21C in the south. But, despite the warm weather, it is unlikely temperature records for the month will be broken.

Paris recorded a daytime temperature of 29C on October 1, 2011. While it will be warm in the capital this weekend, the mercury is not expected to rise higher than 25C. The highest October temperature, meanwhile, for Agen, in the southwest, was 32C on October 3, 1946. Highs of 28C are forecast this weekend.