WilliamJin98

Hi,
I am planning a trip to France sometimes next year. Since I have never been there, any suggestions on when is the best time of year to visit?

Thanks

moxie

late May early June is great for cities

LoriNY

I prefer September in France. The weather is beautiful, not to hot, not to cold. And generally a bit less crowded.

Jolie

I guess it depends on what factors you're considering. For example, the months with the best weather will also most likely be the months with the most crowds, and also the most expensive. Also, France is a pretty big country. Are you only going to Paris, or are you planning to see Nice, etc.

For me, I've always gone in Spring or Fall, when the weather is not too hot or cold, but you don't have the full on summer crowds. This year, I visited France in late April and the first week in October (both times, Paris and Loire valley). The weather was slightly colder and rainier during my October stay this year, but that can change year-to-year.

elaine

I'd say June, July, September, early October if you mean 'best' in terms of likely weather (though Paris weather is fickle)

Those months are consequently more crowded than other months, especially June and July, so attractions will have longer lines. But, gardens will be in bloom.

elaine

oh yes, and June and July will have the most hours of daylight
But I love September

dln

I like September and early October. The weather is still warm enough to be comfortable, not sweltering, and the leaves are just beginning to turn, although the summer flowers are still in full bloom. It's the best of seasons!

Although, as it's been mentioned, France is a large country and what weather you enjoy depends on where you are. It can be long sleeves in Paris and shorts in Provence, all in the same week.

PalQ

It also depends on whether you're doing northern France and Paris area or southern France, noticeably more warmer throughout the year. Decent weather months for the south can include October and early November and March on but even they have a rainy season. Paris area, Loire, etc. suffer from depressing weather Oct-Mar or Apr, wet, cool, but mainly dark, cloudy and wet, wet, wet but never really cold, gray and in the 40s but very variable as it's greatly influenced by the sea. Even summers in Paris/Loire can be chilly though last several have been warm (global warming?) I remeber camping in Paris once in July in the 80s and the HIGH was in the mid 40S's- incroyable as they'd say in France, but tres possible. Like others say mid-may, June and Sept great for weather and crowds in north. Except for tourists August is surprisingly a good month for Paris as many natives are out of town on holiday, thus smog greatly abates as the traffic decreases and Paris is much more pleasant with the incessant traffic. In Aug many areas are turned into pedestrian preceints and they make an artificial plage (beach) on the banks of the Seine near Notre Dame. Parking is also FREE and even available in August in my experience. Tourists, however peak in August so long lines at Eiffel, Louvre, etc. But the air is the cleanest of any month i've read because of the smog, which at other months, esp on hot days can be unbearable with a hazy pall hanging over the sky. Even hotels are more empty in August than other months, at least business class hotels that dominate the scene as business types are on vacation. Yes the city loses a bit of its ambience as local cafes are closed for 'congees annuale' or annual vacation and neighborhoods are less vibrant as Parisians still, make like lemmings as they head for the beaches.
But to me you can't really go wrong any time in France!

Underhill

First, when NOT: July and August, which can be swelteringly hot (and in Paris, humid), especially when there's a heat wave. Otherwise, our favorite time is mid to late September, even early October. May and early June are also pleasant.

tedgale

"I remember camping in Paris once in July in the 80s and the HIGH was in the mid 40S's- incroyable as they'd say in France, but tres possible."

-- But I was in Paris in the mid-40s and the HIGH was in the 80s.

MaisonMetz

Another thing to think about is the length of the day. If you're planning a trip where you'll be driving in the countryside for the majority of the time, you may want to pick a time of the year with longer days, e.g., May or June. If it's going to be primarily a non-driving trip to cities - Paris, Lyon, etc., then the shorter days of the fall months are fine and may be more fun as city lights begin early in the evening.

mari5

We just returned last week from France..( The first two weeks in Nov).
..(four days of this was in Portugal!)
In France it was Paris 2 days, drove down to Annecy in the FRench Alps (through Dijon, and back) The weather could NOT have been more perfect...but then we like it a little chilly. Not a drop of rain the whole trip. Perhaps it rains more in Oct.
The leaves were an array of beautiful Fall colors and some fallen, falling, and some still on the trees. The countryside was a gorgeous GREEN.
Of course it DID get dark very early..around 5 or 5:30.
We were once in Paris the end of March and it so very COLD< wet, and rainy.(but still fun)
In the final analysis, I guess end of Oct. and April are great times...but truly there is no Bad time in France.

Scarlett

I personally avoid June, July, August and early September.
My favorite time of year to travel is autumn or spring.
For Paris- as late as November can still be beautiful or as early as March.
Actually, any time you can go, is a good time

cigalechanta

Depends where in France. I prefer provence in the summer because of the Lavender, sunflower fields and olive trees in bloom. I love Brittany in Summer, driving along the coast such a pleasure but Love the Dordogne and Normandy in the fall. The Pyrenees most seasons. I wish I could try are the areas in all the seasons.

dln

So william, are you going to tell us where you would like to visit in France? O

tully

Twice I've been the last week of May/first week of June. Had great weather altho' a couple days needed a light sweater. The long days are a highlight, felt like I got more bang for the buck. My very first trip to Paris I went in August for some inane reason...never again.

gradyghost

We were in Normandy/Bordeaux/Paris a few weeks ago (late October, early November). Normandy was windy, but mild, 55-60; mid to high 50's for the balance. And no rain at all!

hunnym

Having been to Paris many times during different seasons, I found that my favorite time to visit was this past summer, the first couple of weeks in July. The weather was unseasonably cool - I remember having to wear my heavier clothing much more than I expected. The reason this was the best time for me is the hours of daylight - it didn't get dark until 10:30pm or so! Gave us much more time to enjoy being outdoors.

mamc

If we are going to be driving and spending most of our time outside of the city, I prefer May and very early June because of the hours of daylight and the lovely countryside. If we are going to Paris, I prefer late September and early October, partly because of the weather and partly because of the food choices at that time of year. That said, I love the Loire and Normandy in June to see the poppies, Provence in June and July for the lavender and in August for the sunflowers. I have never seen the sunflowers in their full glory because we have never wanted to brave Provence in August.

sandi

Prefer Late-May thru June and Mid-Sept thru October.