My wife and I are planning a 7-10 day trip to Paris next spring and are looking for suggestions on when to visit. Based on our current schedules, we can go at the following times:
Mid-April
Late April>1st week of May
Mid to Late May

When would you suggest that we go? The idea of springtime in Paris has alway seemed rather enticing. I have checked some of the climate information that is available, but thought I would ask for suggestions here.

Thanks!

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I agree with TMorse6570 about September (best weather) and early April (fewer tourists).

Notes that there are lots of holidays in France during your proposed timeframes: April 16 (Easter Monday), May 1 (Labor Day), May 8 (Remembrance Day), & May 24 (Ascension). You can expect shops and some restaurants to be closed on most/all of these days.

If you like flowers - and Versailles gardens are amazing. I suggest late April - between Easter and May Day. This way you avoid most tourists, but the weather is likely to be better. Early April can still be quite chilly. Get a baguette, a hunk of cheese, and a bottle of wine for a fab picnic in Versaillles gardens - you can avoid the 'big house' all together of you've already been.



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I wish I were 1,000 miles away

Any time. For the flowers, you are better off going later in May. The hordes of tourists still won't be as bad as the summer. The Luxembourg Gardens and Tuileries are incredible (not to mention Giverny - Monet's home and gardens). If you don't mind chillier weather, April is fine. You will never run out of interesting things to see and do, whether you are outdoors or in.

I certainly endorse the idea of a picnic at Versailles (a little pate, roast chicken and/or quiche ain't bad either). Its something you will always remember. For another fab experience, if you've got the time and care to venture outside of Paris, rent a car or take the train to Chartres and have a tour of the cathdral with Malcomb Miller (most guide books mention him). No tour is ever the same and the windows are breathtaking.

My wife has vacations in the latter half of March and I was thinking of going to Paris. From past experience it seems that March is bit too early to get there. Do FTers have any suggestions about alternate destinations between 14-28th March? We were also thinking of Argentina but I am not sure how the weather would be in March. How about Italy? Is it warm enough?

Now look: you don't go to Paris for the weather. At any time of the year, Paris weather has a decent chance of being dreadful.

But Paris being Paris, gray weather means enjoying shops, lingering a bit longer in a restaurant, getting the the Orsay museum when it opens and heading directly to the very top to sense the feeling as the great old rail station fills with people, making the extra stop at a sidewalk café to enjoy a pâtisserie, finding an English-language movie in one of the theatres along the Champs-Elysées or near the Opéra, or doing one of leventy-seven other things. There's no other place on earth where you can have so much fun on a rainy day with your clothes on.

You should also note that temperature variations in Paris are a lot less than in cities in the northeast US. (For averages, see http://weather.yahoo.com/almanac/Paris_FR_c.html#9 )

[This message has been edited by wideman (edited 12-11-2000).]

Ah, Paris in Spring!

Tourists be ****ed--go in May. Even if the number of tourists is fairly high, your chances of decent weather are better, so those tourists will be more spread out.

The gardens, parks and walks will be that much lovelier with the nicer weather.

My wife would say "anytime" and I'm not going to disgree with her regarding this! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Each of the chosen times look to be just fine, IMHO! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Wideman - you have it right http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Paris is always wonderful, whatever time of year.

I second the recommendation for Chartres. The windows are brillant.

I would also recommend Sainte-Chapelle right near Notre Dame. The windows are incredible, especially of you can hit it on a summy day when you can just bask in the rainbow of colours streaming all around you. A truly relgious experience (even if you aren't)

I wish I were headed to Paris myself right now.

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I wish I were 1,000 miles away

The only time to avoid Paris is August when everyone is on holiday, or November which is strike season.


[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited 12-11-2000).]

I've experienced very raw weather -- and precious few blossoms -- in Paris in early April. May offers more warmth and flowers.

Thanks to everyone for their advice. After some discussion, we have decided to go in early May.

This is our first trip there and we are looking forward to it. Now if those airfares would drop a bit!

By the way, SCJ, you should post something separate concerning Italy and/or Argentina (if you haven't already). People responding to this were attracted by "Paris." Folks with info on Argentina and Italy might not see your question. By the way, March in Argentina is like October in the Northern Hemisphere. Temps probably in the high 60s and 70's

"I like Paris in the springtime, ..."

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Djlawman

I was in Paris the first week of May two years ago, and the tourist crowds weren't bad at all. Especially compared to the summer. (Not as minimal as when I went the second week of January, but that has its own drawbacks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.

I also lucked out - while Paris can be grey any time of year, we had glorious weather in early May; the flowers were wonderful. YMMV.

I'm going to Paris on the 28th of this month, so that will just have to be the excellent time to go. Actually, I've been there in several seasons, and the only trip that had any unpleasantries was once in July when we stood out in a very hot sun for 2 hours to get into Versailles, only to be trampled and stepped on by busloads of tourists. I've been there in the spring and mid-fall, and both were cool, pleasant, and not too crowded.

I understand August in Paris is the low season when many of the locals take off for holiday themselves. What is the city like then? Are there as many toursits as in July all trying to cram into fewer restauarants and museums making for longer lines and more headaches, or does the pace just slow down a bit?

What was it like this year in August? Hotel and apartment prices sure do drop in August. Does it make a difference where you stay? Hilton Paris vs. 2 star local hotel vs. apartment for a week? Do you get less service at a hotel with less staff rather than just a meet and greet at a local apartment?

And finally, how about family friendly hotels? 2 adults, 2 kids. Thanks

I vote for mid-late May. I have made the trip several times, staying 10 days and returning Memorial Day (Mon-Thurs being the lower fare days). You should, however, try to end your trip before the French Open starts - - the hotels tend to get crowded. The weather is usually fantastic, and it stays light until almost 10PM. If you plan on going to Giverney to see Monet's house/garden its a great time - the flowers there are absolutely gorgeous anytime in May.

If your main interests are museums and food, Nov thru Jan are best. The outside temperature seldom drops below 32F, almost all museums and restaurants are heated.

The tourist population is about 10-20% the summer crush, so theere are no crowds or lines at museums. Get a carte Orange, or whatever the correct one is, so you do not have to stand in any of the lines to purchase admission to the museums.

Many restaurants add a game menu to their regular menu. Reservations at 2 & 3* places are easily obtained.

OB one


August is the one month I would say to avoid Paris. Everybody deserts the town, with many going to the South of France, and the only people you will are tourists. April and May are great, and for real fun be in Paris for the Bastille(independence) day on July 14 of each year. There are great concerts at the Eiffel Tower and military parades up to the Arc De Triomphe.

I will be in Paris for a few days during the first week of May, and I know that May 8 (Thursday) is a holiday. Will almost everything be closed? The department stores, the Eiffel tower, museums, etc? Will the closures extend to Friday and Saturday?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jilz:
I will be in Paris for a few days during the first week of May, and I know that May 8 (Thursday) is a holiday. Will almost everything be closed? The department stores, the Eiffel tower, museums, etc? Will the closures extend to Friday and Saturday?</font>


Museums appear to be closed on May 1, but open on May 8th (at least the Louvre).

Depart stores usually close for one, and open for the other. So, May 8th will probably be open. At least Monoprix will be!

Thanks for the reply - I was a little concerned since my visit is going to be so short - a lot of closures would have been sooo disappointing.