Paris & The Heart of France: April or October?

I have not taken any RS tours, but I have been in Paris and the heart of France in April and October. Between the two, I would pick April by a narrow margin. I'm not looking at the rainfall charts, but in my experience there was more rain in October.

On the other hand, October was also lovely, but with a heavy, but kind of romantic, downpour in Paris. Either way you can't lose.

We were in France last year in October and November for 26 days. Only rained on us 3 times and only once heavy for an hour or 2......Loved October.
I know, it may not be that way next year but I love fall and seeing the leaves change in France was a dream.

Hi rjohn, I took this tour the first week of May 2009. The tour was great and I enjoyed it very much. Weather-wise, May was cold and rainy. It was sunny the day we went to Guleon, not so much the rest of the trip. In fact, I think it rained every other day. I could have used a winter coat in Normandy (we had our scheduled picnic on the bus!)

I've been to France several times in May and once at the end of September/beginning of October. I much prefer the weather in October. The fall colors were beautiful!

Whatever you decide, hope you have a great trip!

For slightly better chance of good weather I would say October. I almost always try to travel in the fall (Sept/Oct) if at all possible. Spring weather in Paris is often unsettled and a greater chance of rain but, in Paris, rain isn't always bad. We had a bit of rain when I was there in May one year and I enjoyed how wonderful the city looked and smelled right after a rain. Now, considering the other areas of France that this tour goes to, Normandy weather is often cold and damp in April. I think you would be happy with either but, given the choice myself I would choose October.

I took this tour last Fall beginning on I think Sept 29. We had good weather except for MSM while the tour that left just before ours had lots of rain. I have not been in April but Oct was great. I loved having some leaf turn in Paris at the end (I stayed a few extra days). Giverny was gorgeous.

This is a fun tour. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Chances of better weather are in October. But of course it can happen that you go in April and it is nice and sunny and you go in October and it's raining. We are talking chances.