Would love to send my darling husband to Paris next year. We did the Rome tour with Jamie in October 2013. So very nice. I have such a difficult time ambulating seems like Paris would be good for him alone. I was there 30 years ago in July {Bastille Day included}. It was warm but fine. What would you experts consider maybe the 2 best months to visit Paris. I know it rains quite a bit in the Spring. Thanks for whatever you may impart.
Kathy in Chicago
Hi, Kathy. September and October are lovely times to visit Paris. Taxi rates are reasonable, if that would make it easier for you to join him for independent travel. You can see other recent posts in this France Travel Forum about the most accessible ways to get around the city.
Hi Kathy, I agree with Laura... Sept and Oct. But you need to reserve a room as early as possible if he'll be staying in a hotel as those months book up early... especially Sept.
June and Sept are lovely months for Paris.
Also May, I think.
You're getting a pattern here -- late spring and early fall, avoiding the extremes, being prepared for some rain of course.
Hey Kathy,
I am retiring in 10 days and have already booked an apartment in the Marais for the month of October. I love Paris in the fall when the leaves are turning and the color that brings to the city. It is usually easier to get restaurant reservations and in many eateries you won't need a reservation. Still lots of tourists but it just seems calmer and it is still warm enough for outdoor activities (Nuit Blanche, for instance). As people are saying, September is a very active month with the fashion shows and the conventions and rooms go fast. By and by, next year I intend to rent an apartment for the month of July to be there for Bastille Day and the end of the Tour de France on the Champs (maybe go to where the Swedes congregate near the Place de la Concorde; always has looked like a lot of fun!).
I agree with mid-September to October. As another poster indicated, Nuit Blanche is to be taken advantage of; google the dates, usually the first weekend in Oct. many long opening hours, free entrance to museums, great stuff. The weather can be variable, I have had to purchase light mittens for the middle of October, not a problem, but bring some along with a warm fashionable scarf.
I have visited Paris a number of times in September & October. This year, in November!
Enjoy Paris.
If you're in Paris in mid-September, be sure to look for the Journees du Patrimoine (Heritage Days). It is usually the third weekend in September. Not only are most museums free, also many government offices are open to the general public on those two days and some have special exhibitions, also some foreign embassies open their doors. Many of these government offices and embassies are in palaces. I was able to visit the National Assembly, the Hotel de Ville and the Luxembourg Palace (all Wows) and the Russian Embassy (another palace, and a special exhibit including fabulous Faberge eggs). Yes, you may have to stand in line for an hour to get in, but it's well worth it.
September is the best month and also the month when hotels and apartments are hardest to book. Prices are also high reflecting its popularity -- although there really are no cheap months except maybe August and January and February.
Stayed in paris may 5th thru May 10th 2014 . Weather perfect most days only 1 day of rain & it did not rain all day . Keep up with the weather channel or any weather app. You can also google 2013 weather of any day or week. Paris is magnificent any time spring or fall would be lovely. If you love the cold it is beautiful in the winter . The crowds were really not bad in May . Had paris pass for museums before we left & bought Eiffel tickets ahead using VIATOR. No one was ahead of me at louvre on a Friday afternoon! Longest line was sainte chappelle around lunch, they close for long break google all times. Louvre opened later on Friday night & was somewhat empty about 6pm. Lines at notre dame went fast , this is people with paris pass did not stand in line to buy tickets. Versailles slowest day is Wednesday so we took train & line with paris museum pass was long but went quickly. Giverny was the worst I saw because it very small area in Monet 's garden . Find some way to get there early (early train to veron) because it is beautiful but after 12pm a nightmare of a crowd. You will need light trench or jacket with a hood for spring & something to layer @ night.
