mil2france

I am planning trip in December and was thinking of going to France, what do you guys think? I assume that Paris will be cold, what about Nice or Provence or any where we can go that would be warmer?

Plan:
Dec 27 - Paris
Dec 28 - Paris
Dec 29 - Nice
Dec 30 - Nice or nearby?
Dec 31 - Nice or nearby?
Jan 1 - Nice or nearby?
Jan 2 - Nice or nearby?
Jan 3 - Fly back to the States

Any suggestions??

Underhill

We spent 10 days in and around Nice last December and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Nice was sunny and cool; the area around Grasse, however, had lots of rain. Keep in mind that in December the days are short.

If this is your first trip to Paris, give it more than just 2 days! I'd break the trip into 4 days in Paris, the rest in Nice.

ira

Hi mil,

>Winter in France - Good idea or not? <

Odds are it will be better than where you are now.

Only 2 nights in Paris?

nytraveler

Southern France won;t be as cold as Paris - but will still be distinctly chilly. Frankly, in winter I would stay in cities where the weather doesn't matter. Cute hill towns rent that attractive in rain and 45 degrees.

mil2france

I have been to Paris couple of times, but my friend traveling with me wants to get a feel of it, so I we decided to spend 2 days in Paris. The other days we are pretty much open to exploring... Not sure where and I thought Nice would be a great place to base ourself and then explore towns nearby... Open to suggestions..
Thanks a lot.

mpprh

Weather here is too difficult to call.

Yes, I've had breakfast in the garden on 1st January - sometimes we have snow !

These pics are both December, but in different years :

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-067.htm

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-026.htm

Best chance of decent weather is Cote d'Azur or Costa Brava.

Bonne chance


Peter

tower

One of our nicest trips anywhere, was in the winter of '94-'95. We started and ended in Paris. Took TGV to Avignon, picked up a car (made sure the heater was working!). We based in St.Remy, and explored the Luberon, to Aix, east to Pont du Gard, south through the Camargue. The skies were a brilliant blue most of the time and the temps were quite tolerable, even for haughty Californians.

The crowds were non-extistent, and many times we were the only diners or sightseers, or at least among the very few. There was only one other guest couple at the Chateau where we stayed...the spooky Chateau de Rousson which has since been renovated, I hear.

We even braved a couple of picnics during the two weeks in the south. Nippy, but as I said, not uncomfortable. Snow flurries in Arles where we made the only footprints in the amphitheater. Traffic...thin. Our week in Paris was a great time to experience some places we had ignored or missed on many prior visits...Would I do it again? A resounding Yes.
You will enjoy, Mil2France...go for it!
stu

kerouac

Winter is a perfect time to visit Paris. I find the south of France dreadfully depressing at that time of year because they do not know how to deal with winter.

ira

Hi mil,

>my friend traveling with me wants to get a feel of it...<

I suggest 2 nights Paris, train to Avignon for 4 nights, return to Paris.

It will be a few degrees chillier in Avignon, but you will be able to visit the Pont du Gard, the Gorges de l'Ardeche, St Remy en Provence, Arles and Orange.

So even if the weather is against you, you will have three cities to visit.

If you feel more foot loose, you could cut a night each from Avignon and Paris and drive to Lyon for 2 nights before taking the train back to Paris.

We had a nice stay at http://www.hotel-lyon.fr/perrache.

Enjoy your visit.

qwovadis

www.weather2travel.com Climate guides

Paris is festive snowed 1 year around Xmas when I was there

Dress warm odds are great you will be fine...

After a few days train to www.lecalendal.com Arles

Then on to Nice was there last year it is great and

pretty warm though not beachy...

Otel.com betterbidding.com for good deals on Hotels off season

Promenade is my fav area Negresco is the best but

Meridien is nice there too... Aran Blu also good personal

experience in the past... Happy travels,

Leely2

My favorite place to go that time of year is Rome because it tends to be sunny and warm-<i>looking</i> even if it's not particularly warm.

However, I spent Christmas in Paris one year--lots to do indoors so weather wasn't a big concern. And another year I took nine or ten days in mid-January, spending them in Aix (was sunny and not cold), Carcassonne (snow first day, sun the next), and Arles (sunny but with a cold, bracing wind). As stu mentioned, crowds were thin/nonexistent in the south.

Go and have fun!

NanBug

We take 90% of our trips in the winter. We love it -- no crowds, cozy cafes, cheap deals.

Just pack layers and be prepared for any kind of weather.

As I've always said, I'd rather be cold in Europe than cold at home.

nz101

Totally agree with you NanBug, same with us.

mil2france

Thank you all! I just booked my flight and plan to spend 3 days in Paris and other days in South France. We will fly into Nice and from there we will just explore. I guess renting a car might be a better alternative than train.

mil2france

If you have any recommendation on hotels to stay in Nice or nearby areas, please let me know...

nytraveler

A budget would help to make recos.

CYESQ

Many travelers feel that getting an apartment is more fun with friends, more economical and more convenient than hotel rooms. Check out nicepebbles.com and ownersdirect.com to get you started and you can see what's available in the size you need. If you look for units either in old town or nearby old town on the Promenade des Anglais, you'll be in a good location for walking to all the cafes and shops. You can probably score something with a water view and a decent rate pretty easily this time of year.

Check out the public transportation before you rent the car. Nice has terrific bus and train service to the neighboring communities. Very convenient and allows everyone to have a little wine with lunch/dinner.

You're sure to get lots of good recommendations from other posters here. Have fun planning your trip.

denisea

I'm with kerouac-we spent the week of Christmas in Paris last year and loved it! Take an umbrella, scarf and gloves and you will be fine! No reason to avoid Paris in December.

gracejoan3

December in Paris is great. I will be there mid Oct to mid Dec and was there last year to mid December. I have also been there for Christmas and spent Christmas Eve at Violon d'Ingres(not any more, closed)and Christmas Day at Les Ambassadeurs.

I always stay in the western part of the 7th and it is great to walk across the Seing, past the top designer stores and to Rond Point. Beautiful decorations and you can always stop for something to warm your insides!!

a bientot..

Joan

SUMMAGOLD

we were in south of france for a few days in december and it rained the whole time. after that we took a flight to Paris for 7 days. it rained most days but there are tons to do in Paris indoors. Paris was magnificent even in the rain. Ive been to France in June also. Lets say I prefer June. either way, we thought France was so much better than being home in ny cold.