mariah

Im considering visiting Paris in March next year. I was wondering what the weather would be like, the hotel rates (would they be low)and would the tourist attractions be available, as its not a peak period?<BR><BR>thank you

Nikki

I have been to Paris twice in March. It was cool both times, and one time very rainy. That didn't stop me from enjoying it very much, however. Most tourist attractions are available, but some, which depend more on the weather, are not. Giverny was not open, but all the museums in Paris were. The water taxi (batobus?) was not running on the Seine. <BR><BR>It is the theater and concert season, so such things are probably more available than they would be in the summer. I went to the ballet at the Palais Garnier, which was a great experience. <BR><BR>Two restaurants I tried to go to were closed for renovations, which might (or might not) be due to being "off-season", but there were hundreds of others available. <BR><BR>I don't think the hotel rates were lower than usual, but the airfare certainly was.<BR><BR>

elle

We made a quick trip to Paris last March and found the weather to be a mixed bag.<BR><BR>We had one-and-a-half warm, sunny days, one day that was overcast and just a little chilly, and one day of drenching, bone-chilling rain.<BR><BR>Our hotel rate was the same as it would be at any other time of the year. Our airfare was more expensive than it had been in April and May of the previous years (probably more of a statement on the global economy and state of the airline industry). There were long lines at Versailles and the Musee d'Orsay. Several of the restaurants were wanted to visit were fully booked, although we did manage to obtain a table at Chez Maitre Paul on a Friday night without reservations.<BR><BR>So if March works best for you, I'd do it, but I wouldn't expect any out of the ordinary bargains or breaks. There may have been less American tourists in Paris at that time, but there were still plenty of tourists--including a lot of Italian teenagers, who apparently were on some sort of spring break.<BR>

Julie

Hi - I've been to Paris twice in March and was very fortunate with weather. (And I flew for about $375 from Chicago to Paris round trip.) We were able to sit outside at cafes and enjoy the people watching and most attractions.<BR><BR>As for the tourists, I would check into when Easter is next year. Most of Europe will have 1-2 weeks off around Easter, which could affect the number of European tourists in Paris. And you probably will not find any deals around Easter as well.<BR><BR>Have fun!

Christina

I view Paris hotel rates quite a bit and I've never seen lower rates in March. Parisian hotels that offer rate discounts usually do that in mid-July through August (most common period I've seen), then maybe Nov/early Dec. or mid-Jan through Feb.<BR><BR>www.123france.com is one site that frequently lists rate promotions (although most seasonal rates are posted and you can get them by booking yourself, but this website is good to gather info). Out of curiosity, I checked some typical 3-star hotels in popular areas for discounts and found:<BR><BR>In the Latin Qtr (5th):<BR>CLAUDE BERNARD has 6% off in August (plus one night free out of 3 nights)<BR>ELYSA LUXEMBOURG has August discounts but you must ask what they are<BR>MINERVE has 10% off 1/15-3/1 and 12/1-12/24<BR>HOTEL DE LA TOUR NOTRE DAME has 25% off July and Aug (until 8/29)<BR>OBSERVATOIRE LUXEMBOURG has 19% off 11/16-12/28<BR><BR>in St-Germain (6th arr):<BR>AVIATIC raises rates 22% during salons (most of Sept-Oct) and holidays<BR>ARAMIS ST-GERMAIN has 10% off 11/1-12/26 except during trade fairs<BR>DAUPHINE has 15% off 11/1-12/27, 1/3-1/20 and 1/28-2/19<BR>DELAVIGNE has 17% off 7/15-8/31<BR>EDOUARD VI has 20% off July/August (and about 17% off for a Fri-Sun stay all yr)<BR><BR>In the 7th arr:<BR>CADRAN has extra 10% off in February (and says 100% off all yr for that site)<BR>ACADEMIE says "up to" 40% off at some times during Nov-March,July,August<BR>JARDIN d'EIFFEL says to "ask" about specials during low season of Nov-Feb<BR><BR>So, there aren't any that consider March a discount or low season. July/Aug are best for hotel deals, as I thought. If you want hotel discounts in winter, you should go in February, or maybe November (Nov. weather is similar to March).

ann

I was in Paris last March and loved it. The weather was cool and rainy some days, warm (60s) and sunny others. But the grass was green, there were buds on the trees, flowers in bloom - especially flowering shrubs and bushes. It looked very spring like. It was light out until 6:30 or 7. There were certainly plenty of tourists around but it wasn't overwhelming. I was back again this past July and though the weather was better it was packed with tourists and had a different feel. We felt we liked it better in March. And getting dark a little early (in July it's light out till after 10pm) gives you more time to enjoy the city of lights with the lights on. As for the actual weather, that's always a crap shoot. I was there two years ago in July and it was cold and rainy the whole time. At least in March I was dressed for it. You can still sit outside at cafes since they have these gas heater devices that really do keep you warm even if the air is cool. Lines at museums, etc were shorter than in the summer but I don't recall anything not being open. Go whenever you get the chance, but I would definitly pick March.