Mark

We're planning to go to Paris/Ile de France in May or June...previously we've gone in MNarch and November, so we're spoiled when it comes to crowds...but we'd like to see some gardens in bloom! To minimize crowds, should we stick to mid-May, or doesn't it matter?

Carol

I was going to tell you this has been addressed before, but I see the recent posts have skirted the issue for May-June. I haven't gone then, so I can't tell you if the line for the Eiffel Tower for example, is twice as long on May 15 as it is on June 15. Anyone else? <BR>I don't think it matters when you go. Paris is always Paris. The crowds are better in the winter, but you can't have eveything.

Harriet N

Nobody goes in May. Go in late June or July.

WOL

Au contraire, Harriet; the French Open is in May, and Paris gets very crowded then.

D. Carroll

Mark,<BR><BR>If your reason for going is to see gardens in bloom, try April. I was in April 17-26 April last year and I have some wonderful photos of the Luxemborg gardens and other sites around Paris in bloom. Crowds still weren't too bad but it was a bit chilly some days. It was gorgeous. I'm going again last two weeks of April this year.

alex

i would like a SERIOUS answer to this question too. The US Tennis Championships don't perceptively increase crowds in New YOrk; I doubt if they have any perceived effect in Paris; except perhaps for those trying to stay at the Ritz or eat at Tour d'Argent.

alex

For those snipers out there, I know that the US championships don't effect crowds in Paris; I was referring to the French Championships

Kay

I went in mid-May '00 and didn't find crowds to be a problem.

Beth

We were in Paris last year during the French Open and did not perceive that to increase crowds. Aside from the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, we did not find Paris crowded at all.