One Week France, Mid Oct, after Paris
May 4th, 2015, 07:06 AM
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One Week France, Mid Oct, after Paris
We will be in Paris with friends in October. We have been to Paris many times and are looking forward to showing them around. They are so excited. We will be on our own for one week post Paris and originally thought we would go to Normandy but perhaps this is not such a good plan as the weather might not be very good in mid Oct. Provence would be easy, and we enjoy the area. Haven't been to Uzes. We do like cooking and wine. We haven't been to Carcassone, or Dordogne. Well, anyway, I'm brainstorming so appreciate your thoughts.
May 4th, 2015, 07:17 AM
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Burgudny may still be somewhat warm and nice and the vineyards will be a hub of harvesting activity - drive along the Burgundy Wine Road north and south of Beaune - a nice regional city and commercial wine center with wineries of its own to visit.
But yes Provence will be just nice at that time of year- Normandy may have decent weather at that time of year or lousy as IME it can have anytime spring thru fall.
If Provence take the high-speed TGV to say Avignon-TGV station and rent a car there - fares can be extremely low if you book well in advance at www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com - same trains on both - latter is said to be easier for foreigners to use. May overall be cheaper than driving from Paris and of course with just a few-hour train trip saves time and the cost of a day car rental - stay in Avignon the first night perhaps pick up car in town next day?
If you have not been to Les-Beaux-de-Porvence, Avignon, Arles, St-Remy-de-Provence or the Camarge then an Avignon area base would be great with so so many neat places including the Pont du Gard and Uzes area in close proximity.
But yes Provence will be just nice at that time of year- Normandy may have decent weather at that time of year or lousy as IME it can have anytime spring thru fall.
If Provence take the high-speed TGV to say Avignon-TGV station and rent a car there - fares can be extremely low if you book well in advance at www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com - same trains on both - latter is said to be easier for foreigners to use. May overall be cheaper than driving from Paris and of course with just a few-hour train trip saves time and the cost of a day car rental - stay in Avignon the first night perhaps pick up car in town next day?
If you have not been to Les-Beaux-de-Porvence, Avignon, Arles, St-Remy-de-Provence or the Camarge then an Avignon area base would be great with so so many neat places including the Pont du Gard and Uzes area in close proximity.
May 4th, 2015, 09:10 AM
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Ronda
Our two favorite regions in France are Provence & the Dordogne. We like Provence in June because Provence "feels" like summer. And the Dordogne in fall because the Dordogne feels like fall.
I have itineraries for both - e-mail me at [email protected] if you would like them.
Since you have lived near the Calif wine country for so long - I wouldn't go to Burgundy.
Stu Dudley
Our two favorite regions in France are Provence & the Dordogne. We like Provence in June because Provence "feels" like summer. And the Dordogne in fall because the Dordogne feels like fall.
I have itineraries for both - e-mail me at [email protected] if you would like them.
Since you have lived near the Calif wine country for so long - I wouldn't go to Burgundy.
Stu Dudley
May 4th, 2015, 04:50 PM
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Ronda,
We spent a week in Normandy in mid October, and the weather was spectacular. It was clear, sunny and in the low 70s
mid day. A sweater was in order for morning and evening. Everything was green and beautiful and the trees were filled with apples.
We spend a month or so in France every year.and tend to travel mostly in June, and mostly in France (for the last 45 years or so). We find Province not so appealing in the fall, as much of the greenery is burned up from the summer heat. The sunflowers are gone, the lavender is gone, etc. So, if beautiful country driving is something you really like, as we do, Province might be a little disappointing.
Normandy and Province are my favorite areas in France.
I don't know about the Dordogne in the fall,as all of our time there has been spent in June or early July, but I think it would be more appealing than Province in Oct.
I would,however, reconsider Normandy if I were you. It's within easy driving distance,there is a lot to do,and the driving in and around Normandy is very beautiful.
It's best if you like horses, cows, green fields, beaches,
markets, cheese,and very appealing towns!
We've gone back 8 or 9 times,and are going back again in June.
LynFrance
We spent a week in Normandy in mid October, and the weather was spectacular. It was clear, sunny and in the low 70s
mid day. A sweater was in order for morning and evening. Everything was green and beautiful and the trees were filled with apples.
We spend a month or so in France every year.and tend to travel mostly in June, and mostly in France (for the last 45 years or so). We find Province not so appealing in the fall, as much of the greenery is burned up from the summer heat. The sunflowers are gone, the lavender is gone, etc. So, if beautiful country driving is something you really like, as we do, Province might be a little disappointing.
Normandy and Province are my favorite areas in France.
I don't know about the Dordogne in the fall,as all of our time there has been spent in June or early July, but I think it would be more appealing than Province in Oct.
I would,however, reconsider Normandy if I were you. It's within easy driving distance,there is a lot to do,and the driving in and around Normandy is very beautiful.
It's best if you like horses, cows, green fields, beaches,
markets, cheese,and very appealing towns!
We've gone back 8 or 9 times,and are going back again in June.
LynFrance
May 4th, 2015, 06:32 PM
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Thanks for your input,Lyn. We are considering both Normandy and some place south. My husband wants to go ahead and make reservations in Normandy and then see what the weather is doing closer to October. I am trying to entice him with Stu's Dordonge itinerary �� I know last year was beautiful in Normandy but who knows what this year will be like. I know what you are saying about Provence - sounds like California! Our hills are very brown now.
May 4th, 2015, 09:21 PM
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Ronda
As you know, we spend a considerable amount of time in France. The Dordogne is at the top of our list of places we'll always return to. Can't say the same for Normandy - especially in Oct. Look at a world map. Normandy is pretty much the same latitude as southern Canada - so in Oct the days will be short & the weather "iffy" on an average. The last time we were in Normandy was in mid/late-June & it was quite cool and rainy. We didn't dine outside a single time - and we were there for 2 1/4 weeks.
I can understand the attraction of the WWII places. They are quite interesting - but there is so much more diverse stuff to do & see in the Dordogne than in Normandy. Actually, we much prefer "next-door" in Brittany over Normandy.
Stu Dudley
As you know, we spend a considerable amount of time in France. The Dordogne is at the top of our list of places we'll always return to. Can't say the same for Normandy - especially in Oct. Look at a world map. Normandy is pretty much the same latitude as southern Canada - so in Oct the days will be short & the weather "iffy" on an average. The last time we were in Normandy was in mid/late-June & it was quite cool and rainy. We didn't dine outside a single time - and we were there for 2 1/4 weeks.
I can understand the attraction of the WWII places. They are quite interesting - but there is so much more diverse stuff to do & see in the Dordogne than in Normandy. Actually, we much prefer "next-door" in Brittany over Normandy.
Stu Dudley
May 5th, 2015, 06:55 AM
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If you go to the Dordogne area be sure to pop by Rocamadour, an ancient pilgrimage site that is said to be the 2nd most visited place outside Paris after Mont-Saint-Michel - well not sure of that boast but many flock to the relgious mecca built into the side of a cliff - rising in tiers with ornate churches and sanctuaries - a very unique place even if you just look at it from afar - but better to climb up the ancient staircases as some pilgrims still do on their knees to worship whatever holy relic the main sanctuary houses.
Not officially in the Dordogne but just over the border.
Not officially in the Dordogne but just over the border.
May 12th, 2015, 10:02 AM
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Weather isn't determined just by latitude. The weather in October in Bayeux is different from the 49th parallel in Canada, say Winnipeg, for example. It's not as cold at night, for one thing. And it's not a particularly rainy period either, so I'm not sure what the concern about the weather is. Sure, it's not going to be hot, but it's not that cold yet (maybe 60F in daytime). Avignon may be about 10 degree warmer, and the chance of rain probably won't be that different. The weather in Dordogne isn't going to be superior to Normandy.
Where are you getting info about how bad weather is in NOrmandy in October?
Where are you getting info about how bad weather is in NOrmandy in October?
May 12th, 2015, 10:25 AM
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Bayeux
temps hi/lo
Sept 20/11, Oct 16/9, Nov 12/5
Rain in Oct 73.3mm, ave 23 rainy days
Sarlat-la-Caneda
Sept 24/11, Oct 19/9, Nov 13/4
Rain in Oct 55mm, ave 18 rainy days
Source
http://www.worldweatheronline.com
Stu Dudley
temps hi/lo
Sept 20/11, Oct 16/9, Nov 12/5
Rain in Oct 73.3mm, ave 23 rainy days
Sarlat-la-Caneda
Sept 24/11, Oct 19/9, Nov 13/4
Rain in Oct 55mm, ave 18 rainy days
Source
http://www.worldweatheronline.com
Stu Dudley
May 12th, 2015, 12:47 PM
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>>only better by the avg day high - about 9 degrees F<<
5.4F better in Oct. 60.8F in Normandy & 66.2F in the Dordogne. However, when it is 66 where I live, I'm outside in shorts & polo shirt reading a book under the umbrella. If it is 60.8 - I'm inside. I know - I'm a "softie".
It's mainly the rain - almost 50% more in Normandy. I have a refrigerator magnet I picked up in Normandy with a picture of a guy with a rain-slicker on, outside in the rain barbequing with an umbrella over the Bar-B-que. Titled "Barbecue normand".
Stu Dudley
5.4F better in Oct. 60.8F in Normandy & 66.2F in the Dordogne. However, when it is 66 where I live, I'm outside in shorts & polo shirt reading a book under the umbrella. If it is 60.8 - I'm inside. I know - I'm a "softie".
It's mainly the rain - almost 50% more in Normandy. I have a refrigerator magnet I picked up in Normandy with a picture of a guy with a rain-slicker on, outside in the rain barbequing with an umbrella over the Bar-B-que. Titled "Barbecue normand".
Stu Dudley
May 12th, 2015, 01:34 PM
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We were in Normandy in October in 2010 and had to buy polar fleece jackets! However, we did have a couple of sunny & warm days, too. Prior to Normandy, we were in the Dordogne for a week and it was starting to get chilly. My preference for October would be Provence or Languedoc, which would be convenient for Carcassone. Happy travels.
May 13th, 2015, 10:05 PM
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We have just found out that friends in Montpelier will be home in October and have we been invited to stay with them! They will take us to Carcassone, Pont Gard, Uzes. So to me it is a no brainer. he is from Normandy and said to think of the weather in Normandy as similar to Mendocino or Maine. It would be much less crowded in October.
Yes, don, St. Remy and Provence are lovely. Trip report?
Yes, don, St. Remy and Provence are lovely. Trip report?
May 14th, 2015, 05:48 AM
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Montpellier is one our our favorite cities. We're flying to/from there in 4 weeks from tomorrow to spend 2 weeks near Carcassonne and 2 weeks in the Gorges du Tarn. United has some good connections from SFO through Frankfurt.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
