Le/la/l, vs au/à la / à l,

Question

Still not answered: for seasons under what conditions we & do not you use à with definite article. Examples do not clarify

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Shannon and Rose,
You cannot say -
à l'hiver/le printemps/l'été/l'automne prochain ou dernier
l'été/ l'hiver/le printemps/l'automne/dernier ou prochain is sufficient to express 
last or next winter/spring/summer/autumn
This is true when you are talking about a specific temporal season.
But if you were talking about what you do in winter ( in general) or in the spring, summer or autumn generally, you would use -

En hiver, je fais du ski = In winter, I go skiing 
En été je vais à la plage = In summer, I go to the beach
Au printemps, j'aime  jardiner = In the spring, I like to garden
En automne, je m'occupe de ma maison = In the autumn, I look after my house

I hope this answers both of your queries.

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

Hi Rose Marie, 
I am not sure that I understand your question but if you're looking to say 'in winter', 'in the spring', etc. please take a look at the following lesson -
En/l'/au with seasons (French Articles and Prepositions)
Let me know if we can help any further.

Shannon Goyda · Answer

I believe the person above is referring to the same thing
that’s causing me confusion. The lesson says that you can use the following:

l' + [été/automne/hiver] + dernier /
prochain
l'/à l' + [automne] + dernier / prochain

Can you not also say “à l’été dernier” or “à l’hiver
dernier” ?  Is this construction only
reserved for automne?

Thank you!

Adrian Boutel · Answer

Cécile says "You cannot say à l'hiver/le printemps/l'été/l'automne prochain ou dernier", but the example quoted by Shannon G from the lesson says "l'/à l' + [automne] + dernier / prochain". Which is correct, please?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

Thanks for questioning my reply, Adrian. 
Having double-checked with some colleagues in France and with our AI assistant, you can say -
à l'automne prochain/dernier 
Although French speakers prefer to say 'last summer' without the preposition à, it is acceptable, hence why it has been included in the lesson.
Hope this clarifies matters.