OFF SEASON IN PARIS

Old May 24th, 2001, 05:36 AM
  #1  
noname
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OFF SEASON IN PARIS

What is considered off season in Paris. I'd like to go at a time when it will be the least crowded (if there is ever a time when Paris isn't crowded!!!) and when hotel rates will be down. Thanks, in advance, for your help.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 06:04 AM
  #2  
Rex
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I haven't actually been there then, but surely mid-January to the end of February are as "off" as it gets, I would think.

Remember that Paris is quite far north, compared to most of North America.

Best wishes,

Rex
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 06:06 AM
  #3  
XXXX
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Last year I managed to get really good deals at the end of April start of May $186.00 per night for 2, breakfast and dinner included at the Millenium Opera Hotel a 4 star establishment and $350.00 airfare, the hotel was not busy. You just have to keep an eye open and check hotel individual websites for deals, most finer hotels will have a deal like this at some point during the year. I was always told that spring was the best time in Paris, the weather was wonderful.

 
Old May 24th, 2001, 06:24 AM
  #4  
aaa
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There are quite a few trade shows in Paris in January and February even though the weather is cold. November is more quiet and it is easier to get a good price then. The crowds are much smaller then, also.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 06:34 AM
  #5  
janice
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I always travel off season - I stay in the US during the summer, and run to Europe as often as possible between October and March.
I've been in Paris in the winter, and I'm very fond of it - quiet and not very crowded. (at least to me - but I'm used to cities)
Yes, it can be quite cold - no colder than Chicago or New York, but I don't really mind cold weather or short days, and I feel that the cost savings and lack of crowds makes up for it. I can highly recommend November, and most of March as being a decent compromise between the dead of winter and the crowds of the summer season. Paris is wonderful no matter when you go...
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 07:11 AM
  #6  
Aimee
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I went in early-Feb. 2000 and LOVED it. The weather was similar to NYC, quite chilly, and often rainy, but it was worth it. I went with a female friend, and we knew what to expect in terms of clothing, so the weather wasn't a problem. Also, we rented a 2 BR apartment in the 6th arrondisement, for about 1/2 price through a service called Chez Vous (see www.chezvous.com). It worked out to about $100/person/night for a gorgeous place with a fabulous bakery right downstairs. We walked to everything except Montmartre from the apt. and didn't wait in a single line all week. And the cafes have heated outdoor sitting areas so you don't have to miss that quintessential Parisian passtime just because it's cold or rainy. Good luck.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 07:12 AM
  #7  
elvira
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I've been in Paris every month, I think, except December. March-October is tourist season (keep in mind that we baby boomers are now child-free and can travel anytime we want; many of us are in jobs where non-summer vacations are encouraged; lots of us are retired); I like November and late February for weather and thinner crowds (there are ALWAYS tourists in Paris!). Honestly, I've never found 'off-season' hotel prices in any of the hotels I've frequented; maybe chain hotels have such discounts. Where the money is saved is airfare.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 07:18 AM
  #8  
s.fowler
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December can be cold and drizzly or it can be cold and sunny. It's the luck of the draw!

I have seen off season rates for some of the smaller hotels. But at the 2-3 star level the prices are reasonable to begin with. It would depend on their advance bookings I imagine.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 07:53 AM
  #9  
mimi
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Went to Paris the last week of Oct. and the first week of Nov. Was able to fly from my city for $328, including taxes etc. when normal rate is over $800. Then found that the four star Holiday Inn at the Republic was offering rooms for $115. that were listed at over $300. We found Paris was not crowded compared to summer or Spring and we did not wait in lines for museums. It was easy to get restaurant reservations and we had beautiful weather, some days wore just a blazer. Watch for the sales. We also saw that all the little hotels had rooms to let and some as low as $80 for a three star.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 07:54 AM
  #10  
Austin
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The off season for tourists is the on seaspn for business, and hotels are at their most crowded and expensive then with trade fairs visitors
There are trade fairs almost all the time in the "off season"--even weekends which was unheard of just a couple of years ago.
I spent a week in Paris last November and while it wasnt crowded with tourists it was crowded with business visitors from all over the globe
Low hotel rates and specials are most available in the tourist season from June 15 through August--check it out on any hotel representative website
The trade off is that time is also the time for the highest air fares

AH
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 11:01 AM
  #11  
Christina
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February is not offseason in Paris; in fact, I think I've read it is the second-busiest hotel month (after September). I most frequently see off-season (or low-season) rates in July and August in hotels (especially after 7/14), and in many hotels, not just chain hotels--sometimes I've seen low season rates in early November or late February for some hotels, but not as commonly as July/Aug. I would not plan a major vacation at all based on that, though, as it is not ubiguitous at all and even then the discount is only 5-10 pct. However, you can get good hotel deals in August. You would save more money looking for cheap airfare, which is winter/early spring. Paris is more crowded with tourists in July/Aug, also. Hotels in Paris do not plan their rate structure around tourists, necessarily, but more around business travelers, I think.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 11:25 AM
  #12  
Paul
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If you really want off-season go in the first two weeks of December. Very few tourists at all but the down sides are the short days, possible wet weather and cold temperatures and the reduced opening hours of many of the "attractions." The restaurants are open and welcome business and stores are busy due to the Xmas rush. A very interesting time to be in Paris. There is plenty to do. As previous folks have noted November is an off season also. We have been in Paris often; mostly in the fall, winter and early spring. It is a good time. If you like seafood incld. oxysters it is a great time of year. This year will be there in late July. I wonder how we will react to the tourist crowds, heat, no oysters and the long days.
Good luck and have a good trip.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 12:23 PM
  #13  
Louis
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I've been in Paris every month of the year except for summer (June, July, August) and it's been my experience that November and January are about the least crowded times. There are alway crowds at the museums, stores, monuments, etc., but very little in comparison to the other months.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 12:30 PM
  #14  
Thyra
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We always have great luck the last weekend in March. Weather is usually a really mixed bag, some days hot and downright sunny, somedays overcast and some days freezing rain. However we don't see too many crowds the airfares are good at that time and the hotels are reasonable.
The only thing you need to remember is to leave BEFORE spring break hits the US, usually around the 2nd week in April depending upon the year.. any location in Europe will be flooded with back packers.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 01:15 PM
  #15  
Jane
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I've been in Paris in mid Feb 2001 and late May 96. My expectation was in that in Feb, it would almost be a "ghost town" since I had heard that it is their off season but I found Paris in Feb to be still crowded with other tourists. Lines to go up the Eiffel Tower were still about 2 hours, the Louvre was packed, as was the Musee D'Orsay. It wasn't as crowded as my trip in May but still busier than I expected. My brother went in December 2000 and had a similar experience. But as a previous poster has stated, Paris at any time is wonderful. Mid Feb wasn't too cold (but I live in Minnesota so ANYTHING would be warmer) and the air/hotel rates were a steal!
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 02:12 PM
  #16  
Capo
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From Seattle -- and, I imagine, from many other cities -- airfares to Paris are lowest during the winter months, so that ought to be a clue as to when "off season" in Paris is. In February of 1996, two friends and I decided to go to Paris because we found a very low airfare on Northwest. While it wasn't a bad trip, it was my least favorite visit to Paris due to the weather, which was cold and damp the entire time we were there. While I wouldn't say I'd never visit Paris during the winter again, it certainly wouldn't be my first preference, no matter how inexpensive an airfare I might find.
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 04:28 PM
  #17  
StCirq
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IF you're lucky weatherwise, late February and early March can be great, cheap times to visit Paris. I'm often there at that time of year, and every few years I luck out and the weather is truly spectacular - but of course you can't count on that. End of February you're more likely to get cold weather, but beginning of March you're more likely to get loads of kids on early Spring Breaks. Still, in a good year at that time of year the buds are coming out and the afternoons are warmish and there aren't great crowds. If Ididn't have kids still school-age, though, I think I might opt for early November, when the airfares are low and there aren't many tourists. One good thing about early March, though, is you still get the benefit of relatively long periods of daylight, with sunset happening around 9 at night.
 
Old Jun 5th, 2001, 05:25 PM
  #18  
Kathy
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I was there in December, 1996. It was wonderful! No crowds, and I couldn't beleive the warm weather! However, as soon as we left, the mercury dropped to record lows! No way to tell what the weather will do...
 
Old Feb 16th, 2002, 06:29 AM
  #19  
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