Very early planning stages-help me pick a month!

Your time targets seem about right. March is a lot more iffy weather-wise. Depends on how long your trip is, but I think the best balance for weather/crowding seems to be the second half of April-early May, or mid- to-late September into early October. Of course, with weather it's always a roll of the dice, but I think these times are your best bet.

We've gone to France three times during mid to late September. It has been very nice. We liked being there at "harvest" time and enjoyed seeing the vineyards and grape picking and did some wine tasting. It has been nice in Paris during that time frame as well and we did some picnicing in Luxembourg garden.

Your time targets seem about right. March is a lot more iffy weather-wise. Depends on how long your trip is, but I think the best balance for weather/crowding seems to be the second half of April-early May, or mid- to-late September into early October. Of course, with weather it's always a roll of the dice, but I think these times are your best bet.

Thanks David-ideally, we would do 5-6 days in Paris and pick one other place to see, maybe towards the south (Nice? Marseille? I need to do more research!) I think 10-12 days is what I would aim for.

We've gone to France three times during mid to late September. It has been very nice. We liked being there at "harvest" time and enjoyed seeing the vineyards and grape picking and did some wine tasting. It has been nice in Paris during that time frame as well and we did some picnicing in Luxembourg garden.

Thank you julesmenssen, that sounds lovely! Did you find it to be crowded in the city in September?

We have been in France from early September to early October the past four years and have had no problems with weather or crowds. You may have some rain, but a rain jacket takes care of that. What you do after Paris depends on whether you are willing to drive. Driving is easy in France. Otherwise you need to take a look at rail connections. Any wine region will be rewarding.

We've done France in late Sept/mid Oct a few times and also visited Paris last year in April for a few days. Weather is always a crap shoot - where we were freezing 10 days before in Amsterdam with 3 layers of clothes on (in April), by the time we got to Paris, I was in my shirt sleeves and got a bit of a sunburn. Our late Sept/early Oct visits have almost always been perfect - we did hit the torrential rain/flooding they had back in 2015 in the south of France.

Crowd wise - maybe things were less crowded in April - but we visited some museums we hadn't before, so can't really compare that. We visited the d'Orsay for the first time on their open evening and it seemed very uncrowded (compared to what I've heard about it). We revisited the Louvre, but because we'd already been there before, we went to the less visited areas that we'd missed on previous visits.

For time of year, I'd still prefer Sept - I just find the weather much nicer (I don't like super hot, so autumn days are my fav). I will say, when we were in Nice in 2015, we were there mid-Oct and it felt like summer does at home - really hot. On the flip side, in 2012 we visited Northern France in mid-Oct and it was cool and windy.

I thought Paris was moderately busy in September, but not like I've heard in the summer. Lines were fairly manageable, if it rains, know that everyone is going to go a museum, so museum lines will be longish, that's where the Paris Museum Pass really helps. We didn't have problems finding a table at restaurants. Versailles was very crowded, but we choose a Saturday. So I'd pick a weekday if you are going to Versailles.

We will be going to France this September. It is our 3 year choosing September. The weather is the best, without heavy crowds. We went in spring several times the weather was much less predictable.

Thanks everyone-it looks like September might be perfect. That gives me a few more months to save up, too. :)

Sept and October are the nicest months in Paris. September is the most costly for hotels and such because it is so popular with both tourists and conventions. MUCH better time to be in Paris than early spring.

Sept and October are the nicest months in Paris. September is the most costly for hotels and such because it is so popular with both tourists and conventions. MUCH better time to be in Paris than early spring.

Thanks janettravels! That is good to know. I will have to be on the lookout for deals.

Thank you for not saying "my partner."

Hah Barbra. I kind of dislike calling him my boyfriend as I am a grown woman with children, but I hate "my partner" even more LOL. I will round him up to my husband in certain situations since he's been living with me for 4 years now, but we aren't married so I guess that is what he is :)

September and October are nice because you can escape the heat and it is not too cold yet. You will also have less tourist which is always nice. The last time I visited Paris was in April and while there were crowds it was not extremely busy. The risk in not visiting during the summer or peak season is that some attractions and sights might be closed for repairs. However, I doubt visiting it would affect you much since you are visiting towards the end of peak season. This post is helpful and covers a lot of your questions about weather and sites. How are you traveling? Are you backpacking France
If you have 5 days in Paris you might think about adding a day trip as well. Paris is a great place to discover some smaller areas around the city. My personal favorite day trips from Paris are Versailles, Provins, and Mont Saint Michel

Thanks myvagabond life-I think we will do day trips if we end up spending 5-6 nights in Paris. Those are good suggestions! I have not decided on mode of transportation but I like trains. Would rent a car once we leave the city if the places we decide to go are better seen by car. Still in early planning stages! :)

We just spent the end of April, all of May and early June in Paris and had mostly good weather. It it is more showery than in the fall generally and can be quite changeable but you might get a break here. We have found October perfect -- cool and clear and we now avoid November as the last November we spent in Paris we didn't have a single nice day -- it was gloomy and overcast and drizzly or pouring every day.

I also agree with the others that in terms of weather, September is a better month to be in France than March. But in terms of crowds, I feel that cities like Paris are always crowded! It is just a bit less crowded in September than in the summer months. It is all relative! Enjoy yourselves in Paris and do consider doing a day trip while you are there like one of the other posters recommended. Versailles is great and relatively close by to Paris too.

Penn

In 2015 I spent the second half of April in Paris and everything was in bloom, especially the fragrant lilacs. Weather is always hit or miss. I had one or two days with drizzling rain, some days I needed a fleece jacket, some days I was in sandals and short sleeves. I went back to France in mid-June for nearly two weeks from Chamonix to Cluny to Burgundy to Alsace with a car, exploring some of the many villages, chateaux, cathedrals, abbeys, churches and weekly markets. The weather was mostly warm, no rain, didn't need AC or heating (except for a couple mornings in Burgundy).

I don't know if hotel rates change significant in Paris from September to October, but it's worth checking. Maybe you could start with the countryside and end in Paris. Something to think about - the 3rd weekend in September is Les Journées européennes du patrimoine/ European Heritage days. I was in Paris once for that weekend, got to visit some of the fabulously sumptuous interiors of buildings normallly closed to the public - Luxembourg Palace, Hotel de Ville, Assemble Nationale. There are others too. Paris will be very crowded that weekend with lines to enter but an opportunity to see what few tourists ever can.

If I had to pick one month to travel, it would be September. The rush is over but the weather is still sunny and nice, rarely too hot. The only exception would be for a beach vacation which is probably best in July or August.

Pretty much anytime works for Paris but I'd avoid the summer. It can be hot and air conditioning isn't standard. Plus many travelers that time of year makes flights and lodging more expensive. There will be more rain in the Spring.

Mid September is beautiful anywhere. Early October would be fine for anything south. I was in Provence and Riviera mid/late September last year and it was very nice. The previous September I went to Brittany, Normandie and Loire and it was beautiful.

I just got back from my June trip to southwest France and it was mostly nice. I camped and it rained a lot. For some reason, I could have done the trip without a raincoat. Every time I was outside, it didn't rain. When I got in my car or tent, it started pouring. I wanted to get there before it got too hot and I succeeded. The weather was cool but comfortable (lows about 55, highs about 70). The campgrounds were just opening, however, so I don't feel I got the full flavor of camping in Europe.

I went to Burgundy/Alsace/Champagne last May and felt it was too early in the year. The weather was still quite cold, the places were mostly empty and the grape vines were barely starting to get leaves. It would have been great in September during harvest season.

Thank you everyone for the lively discussion! And heads up about September events. I think spring would be lovely too, for different reasons (flowers in bloom etc) but I will probably aim for late September/early October and see what airfare deals I can get. Unless something amazing pops up in April, and maybe I will be tempted to go early ;)