The Saône et Loire department is at a geographical and climatic crossroads. It is subject to the oceanic influence on the relief, and on the West of the department with abundant rain in winter, and the westerly wind dominating. It is subject to the continental influence on the plains and the valleys, with hot and stormy summers and also abundant rain at the end of the spring and summer. And finally, the southern influence on the Saône valley with drought in July and more than 2000 hours of insulation per annum.