My wife and I are planning to spend about three weeks in France this autumn, beginning in Nice and ending in Paris. Our open times are between roughly September 10 to November 20. We would love suggestions from any "veterans" as to which end of that time range we should favor. Thanks.
Posted by
Marseille
150 posts
The beginning of September in France is known as la rentrée and is when the summer holiday period "officially" ends and people go back to work or school en masse. The prices for touristy places go down, and there are fewer crowds. Also the weather is still likely to be quite warm and pleasant. So personally I'd recommend September. November will be noticeably colder in comparison.
Posted by
Lawrenceville, Georgia
693 posts
Agree with Ian from Marseille - also consider that the daylight hours are getting noticeably much much shorter. I'd opt for September 10.
Posted by
Redlands, Ca, USA
358 posts
I prefer going to France in late sept or early oct when there are less tourists around.
Posted by
Diamondhead, MS
132 posts
We've gone to Europe the last 2 Novembers. Early November. (Florence/Rome 09) and (Germany/Paris 10). This last year we had a fair bit of rain. But 09 was great. It seems a lot of rates, go down in November. I haven't experienced a lot of long lines or crowds. Some things are closed but not many. It is a bit cool so you need warmer clothes. And the fall color both years was a plus. Regardless of when you go. Have fun.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
I'd go before daylight savings time ends, which this year in France is October 30th.
Posted by
Albuquerque, NM, USA
25 posts
Mike, I have made several trips in both September and November and find - for all the reasons others have given you, but mostly the daylight and weather- much prefer late September. Have a great visit!
Posted by
Marin, CA
527 posts
I have always had lovely weather and no crowds in Paris in September. Only issue I've had is hotel space during the Fashion Show week but it was a last minute trip. Longer days in September than November too.
Posted by
OP
los angeles, california, usa
77 posts
Great replies. Thanks so much. We've been leaning towards the last five or ten days of September through October 10th or 15th, and that seems to be close to the consensus. But Karen has raised a new concern: when is Fashion Show Week??? And does it affect any other areas besides Paris? Again thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Paris Fashion Week started today & goes through next Wednesday. My daughter told me.
Posted by
Marin, CA
527 posts
There's more than one season I believe. My daughter was living in Milan and met me in Paris and said that she'd just seen all the tall extremely thin models in Milan the previous week for the Italian shows. I wouldn't worry about it and hotels though. I flew into Paris eight days after deciding to go so it truely was a last minute but great trip. We were saving the Louvre for a rainy day but never had one.
Posted by
Lebanon
711 posts
Fall is a wonderful time to visit France. We always go to photograph from the end of September to the middle of October.The vineyards are in beautiful color. We always start in Paris as it will be warmer in the South.If you time it correctly you might be able to go to a vendage...the last picking of the grapes.This is so interesting .