Paris & Normandy — April 2026 (Off-Peak but Still Packed!)

Thanks so much for your trip report! So glad you had a great experience in Normandy. This is a good example of how useful the spend for a private tour can be! Diid the teen/s enjoy it?

To me the Louvre is better after several visits so you can avoid the severely crowded areas. Believe it or not there are some areas where you can be the only person in a room! Hard to believe when you look at the mass of heaving humanity in the area under the pyramid.

The teens absolutely loved the Normandy tour, so that was awesome. That's good to know about the Louvre. I loved Paris so much, and was worried it wouldn't live up to the hype. It absolutely delivered and I can't wait to go back.

I’m so happy the teens enjoyed it. Seeing where a major piece of history happened really can have a huge impact on their understanding of it!

Paris is just astonishing and I’m glad you’re going to return!

Thanks for your report. I do wonder though who or what gave you the impression that you were going to be in Paris during the off-peak season? Due to the Easter holidays, last week was very much peak season for Paris and many other popular cities in Europe.

With regards to the shopping, lots of teens love the shops in Forum des Halles, hence the crowds there. H&M, Sostrene Grene, Kiko Milano, Minoso, Zara, Mango, Stradivarius are just a few of the shops that teens tend to like. What was it your teens were looking for but could not find there?

Give us the links to the food spots you enjoyed when you have a moment, svp!

I was going to say the same thing. Schools across Europe are off for Easter break and most workers also get several days off at this time of year. Easter is Peak!

Yep, definitely not shoulder season, but sounds like you made the best of it!

Rachaeljg, thanks so much for posting this. That is so cool you ran in a race! Can you share a little of that experience? How did you arrange it, where, and how long did you run?

I love reading about Paris as it is my favorite place. Everyone shares things that make me want to go back.

@avirosemail These restaurants were all amazing:
- Le 975
- Superflu
- Au Virage Lepic
- Can Alegria
- Septime
- La Rapiere (Bayeux)
- Chantoiseau

@Lyndash The race was one of my favorite things about the trip! It was a 10k; I didn't want to ruin myself for the rest of my vacation. It went along the Seine; started in front of the Louvre! It was seriously epic, and I got a PR without really trying. It was Les 10km des Etoiles. I loved every minute of it!

Just as an FYI, Versailles has a separate English-speaking guided tour you can take. It goes through places not normally available to the average tourist including the king's quarters & the theater. It ends at the entrance to the Hall of Mirrors where, of course, the crowds are (the selfie folks are in full flock!). There is a cost for this but timed reservations can be made on line. The last two times I've been there, I have been able to get on the tour if there is room w/out res. Just ask at the main entrance. I usually visit Paris in October (fall is my favorite time) when crowds are usually less.

A few years ago, a friend and I had tickets for the first time slot of the day at Versailles. We got there about 20 minutes early and joined a small queue. It wasn't terrible, but it was in April 2022, so COVID was still at least a bit of a thing.

Another friend and I are talking about going next year. We will do the same thing. On that trip, though, we will go to the Hall of Mirrors immediately on entering and then work from there... that's a tip from someone we met at Versailles on the last trip... said he had the HOM pretty much to himself for a few minutes!

Thanks for sharing your trip report. And thanks for the restaurant recommendations.

I agree with Pam. The Louvre can take a while to grow on you. IMO, it is best done in doses to keep from being overwhelmed by both the crowds and the museum itself.

I agree with you about Galeries Lafayette. 40 some years ago when I was on a tight budget, I could always find great, affordable things to buy there. Now, even though budget isn't an issue, between the high prices and the crowds I only shop at the food hall and then take in the rooftop views.

In addition to the previously mentioned Forum des Halles, there is a vendor, who is usually at the Bastille and Edgar Quinet markets, that sells quality striped Mariner tops for about €20.

Understandably, Versailles being swamped by crowds can play havoc with one's enjoyment of the place. It would be a pity if crowds were not part of the Versailles experience , this unique historical place of the Bourbons in modern French history. It didn't seem to be so , so crowded 3 summers ago when I was there on a Sat.

I don't remember exactly but mostly likely when I got to Versailles as an essential part of the first trip to Paris in July 1973, the Hall of Mirrors was the # 1 or # 2 site I had to see, obviously.