Best month for Paris?

I would think September is best for weather,, not roasting hot like you can hit in July and August , but not rainy yet either.

I know August has good rates for hotels, often hotels are discounted from mid July through August.

No crowds in Feb-March or November.

Pretty Christmas lights in December, plus hot mulled wine and roasted chestnuts on the street. .

The gardens look great in May,, I would love to see Giverny gardens then( although of course they are nice most spring,summer and fall months) .

Sorry, I'm no help at all,, LOL , see I could find something good about any time in Paris,, but I guess I personally would prefer warmer drier weather,( Paris is such a walking city !) so I perhaps would avoid months Nov-March. May , June and September would be my first choices, but those are not the inexpensive months either.

I have been there in December and in October. It was fun in Dec with snow on the ground. Since I, too, love Paris I would say almost any month is great for gay Paree. You have been there, you know.

Several years ago I read that the French take the month of August as vacation. I have wondered how that might affect travel.

I think that any month in Paris is the best! We were there in January--it was chilly but the crowds were light, our apartment rental on Ile Saint Louis was inexpensive, and we didn't have to wait to get into any museum. Since you have flexibility, I'd go whenever you can!

I nominate May. I'd avoid August. But any month is grand.

Popular music notwithstanding, April is often cold and wet (though there are beautiful days too).

Thank you for all the insight. A friend of mine said that October can be quite windy outside of Paris. I wanted to know what you wise travelers had experienced. Thanks, I appreciate your point of view. Virginia

Virginia – you are living my dream retirement. I’ve been to Paris in June (weather was nice, average crowds), late September (first trip, wonderful, chilly), and early October (weather cool in a.m., sunny, rained 1 day, crowded). Leaving soon for a trip in May. Please report back and let us know what you decide and how it goes. Bon voyage!

I was there previously in May and it was very chilly. As a matter of fact, we wore jackets everyday for the first 2 weeks of May all over France.

I'll be there again in 2 weeks. I'm sure hoping that it's not freezing and/or freezing rain. Anyone have an idea of what mid-March could be?? Because it was so chilly in May I'm worried about having to really bundle up in March. (And I don't like the cold).

I was just there mid-Feb., and the weather was almost the same as my area near Portland, Oregon - a little gray but not much rain. It was mostly in the 40's days and nights. We felt comfortable with it, but,perhaps, those living in a warmer, sunnier climate might find it cold. Virginia

I have experienced Paris mid-March twice and both times the weather treated me differently. The first time warm, balmy weather greeted me each day and made my walking around the city so very enjoyable. The second time I was greeted by rain pouring down and wind that drove it sideways at me soaking me from head to foot. I was walking from the Left Bank to the Louvre and within a ten minute span experienced soaking rain and then a beautiful rainbow over the Seine and sunshine. It is a crap shoot with the weather, but hey, you're in Paris, put up an umbrella and soldier on! Crowds are less, apartment rentals were less expensive, and you were actually able to see things at the Louvre without a crowd pushing you aside as they swept through on a whirlwind tour to see the "highlights". Give me March anytime!

I've found September to be marvelous, warm but not muggy, June and July can be rainy and/or muggy and crowded but heck it's Paris so who cares. April is a crap shoot as is May and when I was there in December it was gray and bitterly cold, purple lips and frozen hands even in gloves so I'd skip that one unless you're going for Christmas.

My first visits were in Sept/Oct and I had mostly very good weather. My last visit was early June, also good weather for the most part. I liked June better because the days were longer.

Airline fares are usually highest July/August and lowest Jan/Feb and there are good reasons for that.

For weather, go to the weather underground http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp
and enter the city and a date range, you will get the historical data (highs, lows, rain, wind, etc) for each day for the last 11-12 years. This will give you a pretty good idea of what you can expect any time of year.

From hotel websites, I have gathered that low season is Nov/March, except for the 2 weeks around Xmas/New Year which are also high season.

Having visited Paris as an adult 24 times over the past 57 years, a month each visit for the last 12 years, I feel confident in recommending either May or September. each for a different reason. The weather is normally slightly better in September and the strawberries are the best. However May is delightful. This year we are going 4/15 to 5/15 because of a family wedding conflict.

One strong recommendation, read Polly Platt's book "French or Foe". It explains the French - no excuses or rationalizations, simply a clear explanation of their customs and manners. I have never experienced the reputed rudeness following Polly's advice. It's a thin book, not in the travel section.

I vote for September and then you can head out into the countryside (say the Burgundy region for example) for the annual grape harvest.

What a great idea for retirement.

I agree with Perry; April in Paris....ideally after Easter and sliding into May. Is it about the weather - or - is it about a romantic trip. Fall in love again, and again.