France is a country that has a similar population to the UK but twice the area and in many areas is can be very rural, especially if compared to the South East of England.

The north of France, where my parents live, has weather very similar to the UK.  Perhaps a little hotter in summer, and a little colder in winter.  As you move south the weather become generally much warmer although occassional extremes do occur.  For example, the south of France often has much heavier downpours of rain than the UK.  It just does not rain on so many days.