Paris, France....When's the best time to visit?

[Terry36]

I'm contemplating planning a trip to Paris next year and would like to hear your thoughts on when the best time is to travel there.

 

[gina2000]

April/May

 

[eliza61]

I'm heading there on the 25th of May for 6 days. Hoping for nice weather, I'll let you know.

 

[Kewz1]

We were there in July last year and it was great. We got to see the end of the Tour de France. Awesome!

Kristen

 

[mickeyboat]

We went at the end of October. It was a little rainy, but temps were comfortable for touring.

Enjoy!

 

[gina2000]

I think the thing to remember is that Paris, like most of Europe "goes on vacation" the last two weeks of August. If that is the only time you can go (and I've been there then), you'll be fine but it's not really the Paris of the Parisians.

 

[Forevryoung]

We went at the beginning of July last year and the weather was a bit cold and rainy (60's and low 70's) but it was a blast.

I highly highly highly recommend the Lenox Montparnasse hotel. It was a tad "out of the way" (3 metro stops from tourist areas) but a charming hotel where the staff was wonderful, the rooms were small but comfortable, and the price was fantastic for what we got (location/room). I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

There are two pastry shops right there and a supermarket and it's not in a touristy area so things are less expensive. Two different metro stations are within a block in either direction. Couldn't have been easier.

I loved Paris and can't wait to go back.

 

[Huggles]

Paris on Bastille Day (14th July) is a place full of parades and flags but also of crowds and sometimes closed metro stations. It is their national holiday and is a great experience but only if you don't mind crowds and a lot of closed shops and cafes.

Paris is great at any time of the year, it just depends on what you want to do when you get there. There are things to do when it is raining and lots of outdoor touristy things to do when the weather is better. Just go when it is convenient and make the most of your experience.

 

[Terry36]

Thank you all.

 

[quasar4legs]

Paris is great any time but I like May or mid to late September.
I prefer not to be in Europe during their summer school holiday season but I am not a fan of hot weather or crowds.
Tripadvisor have a very active group of 'Paris crazy' people who will be able to help you out with your planning.

Cheers

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Not March!! Cold and rainy. Been there, done that, won't be back... at least in the Spring.

 

[kirbydog48]

I'm going in mid-October!!

 

[goofyernmost]

1957

 

[LukenDC]

I have visited Paris four times, each time in March. Three of the visits coincided with warm weather. One visit coincided with rainy weather.

The nice thing about March is that it is right before the beginning of the high travel season. Hotel rates will usually be a bit lower than April - August and you still have a liklihood of decent weather.

Paris is fantastic---my favorite European city.

 

[Cat0727]

Last year I went the week of July 4, and the weather was absolutely perfect. Blue skies, 70s-very low 80s (w/ no humidity) all week.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

I've only been in late March/early April for each trip. The tickets were the cheapest, the weather was a little cold at times but there were hardly any crowds in any of the museums, so it made up for it. And you always look a little more chic in a swing coat and a pretty scarf.

 

[Pakey]

We went the last two weeks of September and had fabulous weather.

 

[stichlover87]

*

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

We went in December for 6 nights and it was a lot of fun. It was our first trip so we didn't have better weather to compare it to. It was cold enough for hats and gloves, but we weren't forced indoors because of the weather.

It lightly snowed in DL and rained most of the afternoon while we were there. It rained the morning we went to Versailles so it was very interesting to see the fashionable women parade around in heels then sink in the sand and mud. My only regret was looking at the pictures of our trip on the way back from Versailles and forgetting the camera on the train.

On NYE it poured all day and night but we braved it and stood near the Eiffel Tower and watched the fireworks. I can't wait to go back.

 

[EMom]

We've been twice, both times in mid to late April. (2 years apart) The first time, it was unseasonably warm and almost 90 degrees. ACK! Two years later, we had snow. Still, I love April in Paris. Less crowded, a bit less expensive and always gorgeous. We stay in the Rue Cler area, near the Eiffel Tower.

Except for August, I don't think you can go wrong.