Best time of year for Normandy (and Paris)

Well, if that's the timeframe you have to work with, then I'm not sure what question remains. Mid-October through January, isn't the answer really obvious? Go as early in October as you can, since the weather will only going to get worse with each passing day. Sure, you might luck out and get a unseasonably warm, sunny day in mid-January, but there's not any way to know that more than a day or two in advance, and it's a not a good bet. The usual advantages/disadvantages about winter travel in Europe apply, of course: shorter daylight, fewer crowds (except possibly around major holidays), cold/wet weather, possibly lower prices, possibly limited open hours for some attractions...etc.

If it were me, I'd just go on the earliest day in October that you possibly can, and I'd expect the chance of wet/cold weather to increase with each day of delay. Go prepared for cold and wet, because there's a good chance you'll get at least some of that, and hope the weather gives you a break at least some of the time.

As to the specifics: I'm not sure I'd spend two nights there. I think MSM is best done by arriving there in the afternoon (it'll probably still be crowded even in October), enjoy the place as the crowds drain away late afternoon and in the evening, spend the night on the Mont itself, then get up early, enjoy a few hours more, then get outta Dodge mid- to late-morning as the tour buses roll up.

"I Love Paris"

Every time I look down on this timeless town
Whether blue or gray be the sky
Whether loud be her cheers or where soft be her tears
More and more do I realize

I love Paris in the springtime
I love Paris in the fall
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles
Ooh, I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles

I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I love Paris
Why oh why do I love Paris
Because my love is so near

Oh, I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I love Paris
My oh my do I love Paris
Because my love is near
Love is near
Love is near

If your interest in Normandy includes the D-Day sites, I'd consider the possibility that the van tours (which I highly recommend, as opposed to driving yourself around and probably not knowing what you're looking at) may well not be offered every day of the week during the off-season. I have no idea whether weekends would be a better bet than weekdays, but I think they might, since a lot of Europeans take short 3- and 4-day breaks over weekends. So I'd contact my chosen company to see what its fall tour schedule looks like.

I completely agree that in terms of weather, the earlier the better. Normandy is mostly coolish and dampish even in mid-summer. I'm enough of a weather-focused traveler that I'd opt not to go to Normandy even in October (there are many places in France where the weather will probably be nicer), but I'm rather extreme in my hatred of damp, chilly weather.

I was in Normandy at the end of September and our weather was lovely. It was warm (65degrees) and sunny. However, we were lucky in comparison to what would be typical. If that's when you can go, that's what it is. I've been to Paris in September, October and January. It was fantastic in the fall, and really quite fine in January. Larger cities are more "forgiving" of less than perfect weather. Really, the only difference is January was that we couldn't have the picnics we typically enjoy. We still were able to eat or enjoy a drink in the outdoor bistros. There are heaters and protective plastic walls often used.

As far as MSM, one night is enough. We stayed off the island for quite a savings and felt we had the same experience that people who stay on the island or on the shuttle route have. When we arrived to the area in late afternoon, the views of MSM from mainland over farmfields were stunning and continued to improve during the "golden hour". I have an amazing picture that I get many compliments on with sheep and farmfields in the foreground and MSM in the distance a bit. We spent some time on the island in the late afternoon/early evening when there were few people. We ate dinner on the shuttle route before heading back to our inn. That was a huge mistake. The restaurants were a mess due to the high volume of people and overworked servers and the food was the worst that we've had in all of France. We drove to the shuttle lot right away in the morning and were walking onto the island at about 8am. We slowly made our way to the abbey at the top arriving about 15 minutes before opening. We enjoyed our time in the abbey and probably left around noon. We stopped at a convenience store on the shuttle route to pick up picnic supplies and had a lovely picnic on the mainland with a view of MSM.

In terms of Normandy, we did the area on our own, BUT, my husband is a HUGE WWII buff and I research for our travels extensively. I think many people would enjoy the information that tours can provide and there were plenty going on when we were there. The Utah Beach museum is enormous. If you do a tour, you might want to return to the museum on your own. My husband did not have enough time there and we were there on our own. The museum in Caen is another place where you could spend a lot of time. We were there six hours and only left because my husband was trying to be thoughtful of me who after 3 days was a little "WWII worn out". I really enjoyed our time in Arromanches. We stayed in the little town in a BnB with a wonderful restaurant. You can still see the artificial harbor at Arromanches and there is a wonderful little museum with all kinds of information. The beach was very pretty with views of the Normandy cliffs a ways off. Point du Hoc is an absolute must see. The American cemetery is a must see for the impact. Graves of young lives lost stretching out quite a distance. My sons were in their mid 20s when we visited and to just think that boys (and I mean boys) their age were fighting in the war was heartbreaking. We liked driving around the area. I was not prepared for how really beautiful Normandy is. We also noted that there was still some villages with areas of rubble and other villages seemed to not be touched. To be honest, we went to Normandy for my husband and Brittney for me. We both enjoyed each area quite a bit.

EDITED to add, there was a museum with an Airborne jumpers simulation and extensive exhibits related to the jumpers. We wished we would have skipped it and spent even more time at Utah beach.

I agree with others that your best time, in your time frame, for Normandy is the earliest in October you can do. Be sure to see the famous tapestry in Bayeux while you are there, and take a peek at the cathedral/church there. After you do Normandy, then go on to Paris, because you can do the museums, churches, etc. there even if the weather is inclement. Peter

I did the RS Paris and Heart of France a few years ago starting in Paris on Sept 29. We got to MSM on Oct 5, so Bayeux/Normandie was Oct 6/7. It was rainy and windy for part of the time but not bad enough that I would not consider going back this time of year. I also spend about a week after the tour for more time in Paris so that would have been from perhaps the 10th to the 17th. It was cool but not cold.

In looking back over my notes, MSM was very rainy and windy and this DID impact my stay there. There are tons of steps up to and inside the Abbey and they don't have many handrails. I did go up to the 7A prayer service in the dark and rain but I would not do that again. The steps felt slick and altho none in our group fell I did see others slip.

The Beaches at Normandie were windy but not too rainy. They are so interesting that I would go no matter what.

By the time we got back to Giverny and then on to Paris it was cool but pleasant.

I realized after my first RS tour that I would always carry a waterproof jacket no matter what time of year. This worked well for France this time of year as it also provides wind block. I also had a cashmere sweater that I used a lot at the end of the trip. Mornings were chilly but by afternoon I was carrying it.

I agree with the others that I would do it as early in October as you can.
I'd do your Normandie days at the beginning as a good bit of that will be outside and save Paris for the end when you can duck from museum to church to museum if you need indoor activities.

Hello Vick,

for sure in october you have more chance of having some nice weather than in november/december. However, take into account that in Paris, accomodations are way more expansive in october, than in november and first half of december. For Normandy accomodations, in order to get good prices you should avoid french holidays called Toussaint (roughly between 1st and 11th november, exact dates changes every year).

Also regarding Normandy, it is a very rainy region, so even in october you might get a lot of rain there.

V.

Personally, from your time frame, I would pick October - the early the better. The later in the Fall you go, the better chance of rain; it probably won't be terribly cold but it will likely be quite chilly and could be damp.