We are going to be spending two days in Geneva and then driving to Couchervel 1850 for skiing in March 2020. We would like to spend 5-6 days later in France where we would get good weather in mid march . We were deciding between the following options:-
1) Two days in Lyon and three days in Burgundy(based in beaune )Day trips to Dijon, Chablis, Auxerre, and fly out of Zurich
2) Lyon and Bordeaux
3) Provence(based in St remy ). Day trips to Aix, Luberon, Loumarin, Avignon, Pont du guard , L'Isle sur la Sorgue, We could extend our trip and spend two days in Nice and fly out of Nice .
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Nita
Posted by
Washington DC
27111 posts
The Wikipedia pages of most major cities have charts showing monthly average temperatures and precipitation statistics. I don't like that the period averaged cuts off in 2010, but it's a convenient place to begin your research.
I'd very surprised if the Riviera isn't your best bet. I don't know how much cooler Provence would be. Definitely Google for information on the mistral, which could be a significant issue.
March is very off-season for that part of France, and many sightseing attractions are closed multiple days per week at that time of year, so you'll need to check the websites of the places you're most interested in. Some may be open only 4 days per week, or possibly even 3.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4573 posts
I use a website like underground for historical weather data...temps and precipitation. Look back for the past 3 or 4 years for our cities of interest. Check open dates for museums or sites of interest. As stated, a lot reduce days and hours.
Posted by
Paris
6895 posts
Option 1 is risky, Burgundy (and the northern half of France at large) can be very rainy in March.
Option 2 is fine in the sense that cities offer activities even if the weather is a bit off.
But option 3 sounds best, the likelihood of sunny weather is highest (not necessarily warm because of wind, but sunny). Saint-Rémy will be quiet, but there is enough of a local population to have open restaurants, hotels, etc.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1603 posts
I agree that option 3 is your best choice. Our daughter & her family live in Provence, and we visited them one year in late February/early March. I did wear a winter coat in Provence. I believe we did have a lot of sunshine (but that could vary from year to year). We were there to visit our new grandson, but we did get out doing things, and weather was fairly pleasant. My husband and I also spent a night and 2 days in Nice. The weather there was warmer than Provence. We wore spring coats, and had lunch outside on the beach. We had sunshine both days. Hope this helps!
Posted by
Washington DC
27111 posts
Menton, on the coast very near the Italian border, is said to be the warmest spot in southern France in the winter.