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Mid-June to Early July trip - Should I Start in France or Switzerland?

Posted by (San Francisco) on

Cross-posting this from Switzerland forum to get more insights!

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a trip from mid-June to early July that includes about two weeks in France and one week in Switzerland, and I’d love some advice on which country to visit first - especially based on weather.

Originally, I planned to start in Switzerland (flying into Zurich), then continue into France. This plan would allow me to end the trip in Paris and possibly extend my stay there.

But I’m second-guessing the order. I visited Paris in mid-July a few years ago and found it very hot. On the other hand, I read that last June was very rainy in Switzerland. So I’m wondering if I should visit France first, then Switzerland, to beat the weather. The downside is that if I end in Switzerland, I wouldn’t have the same flexibility to stay longer in Paris, since I’d be flying out from Zurich.

I haven’t booked accommodations yet, so I’m still flexible.
For those who’ve traveled France around this time of year, especially to the places I’ve mentioned—how was the weather? Would you recommend visiting France earlier or later in the trip?

Thanks so much for your help!

Edit:
In Switzerland, I’m planning to visit Geneva (2 days), Zermatt (2 days), and Appenzell (2 days), and I might spend a day in Mürren as well. I’ve already been to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen before, but haven’t seen Grindelwald or Mürren, so I’m hoping to explore a bit more of that region this time in case we don't get good weather in Zermatt and decide to leave a day early. I’ll be renting a car and I want to keep the itinerary fairly flexible - so depending on the weather, I might adjust my route or change how long I stay in certain places. That means I’ll likely need to make some last-minute cancellations or rebookings for accommodations, which I’m okay with. I just want to leave some room to make the most of the good weather days!

That said, please let me know if this is a bad idea. During my last trip, I was able to find accommodation in Interlaken just a day in advance - but that was off-season (early November), so I’m not sure if the same approach will work in late June or early July (depending on whether I visit France first, or Switzerland).

Posted by
419 posts

I've lived in France for over a decade (with many visits to Switzerland in every season for work and leisure) and, as with many places, it's impossible to foretell the weather at any particular time. July can be warm and pleasant, mild and pleasant, rainy and chilly, or hot and terrible. Roll of the dice.

My recommendation? Pick the sequence that makes sense to you logistically and financially, prepare for possible weather you may encounter along the way, and enjoy your trip.

Posted by
6262 posts

Check when the lifts open in the BO, some don't open until mid-June. You don't say where you're going in Switzerland or what your priorities are.
Lodging in the Alps books up several months in advance, so I would recommend firming up your itinerary and securing accommodations asap.
Note that Swiss cities have been getting quite warm in the summers. The Alps are usually quite pleasant.
Enjoy this beautiful country. No one is ever ready to leave the Alps.
Safe travels!

Posted by
29 posts

Thanks for your replies!

In Switzerland, I’m planning to visit Geneva (2 days), Zermatt (2 days), and Appenzell (2 days), and I might spend a day in Mürren as well. I’ve already been to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen before, but haven’t seen Grindelwald or Mürren, so I’m hoping to explore a bit more of that region this time in case we don't get good weather in Zermatt and decide to leave a day early. I’ll be renting a car and I want to keep the itinerary fairly flexible - so depending on the weather, I might adjust my route or change how long I stay in certain places. That means I’ll likely need to make some last-minute cancellations or rebookings for accommodations, which I’m okay with. I just want to leave some room to make the most of the good weather days!

That said, please let me know if this is a bad idea. During my last trip, I was able to find accommodation in Interlaken just a day in advance - but that was off-season (early November), so I’m not sure if the same approach will work in late June or early July (depending on whether I visit France first, or Switzerland).

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