clemson91

Wife and I were in Paris last April and loved it.

We're going back in November/December with our 4 year old.

Booked 3 tickets through Lessno.com on Northwest. Total for the 3 tickets was $1693.04 although the e-mail they sent me indicated that the price is not guaranteed until the flights are ticketed (supposedly done within 48 hours)

Already checked the NW website and it shows our reservation, but no ticket numbers. Let's hope prices don't go up before ticketing takes place.

Staying in an apartment rented through vacationinparis.com. It's ID #2. Looks like a cute little apartment, not too far from the Eiffel Tower and Rue Cler. My four-year old will love the Eiffel Tower.

Just two quick questions:

How's the Paris weather in late November/early December?

Will stores and other businesses start to have their holiday decorations up at this time?

tod

Pretty much freezing I should think and definitely not for me! I wish you a happy stay & only wish I could stand the cold just to experience 'a white Christmas' (sometimes I believe Paris gets lots of snow) and I would love to watch the skaters in front of Hotel de Ville.

opaldog

We've been in late December and although the weather has been cold, it's nothing like Massachusetts where I live. It was damp and raw or brisk and sunny. Wear layers and keep your feet dry. We were there a few times in February and it did snow, but not alot (1 or 2 inches). We loved it. Anytime in Paris is a great time. You should also experience Christmas decorations and activity.

d_claude_bear

Ms. Bear and I spent a week in Paris in December a few years ago--and a second week traveling elsewhere in Europe. Although the weather was not particularly bad, the most striking differences from our other (Spring and Summer) visits are (1) it gets dark very early, and (2) all the buildings look gray in the low light, with no flowers, etc.

clemson91

Thanks for the responses.

We don't necessarily mind the cold, just hope it won't be wet the whole time. Maybe we'll get lucky (last April we were looking for rainy conditions with highs in the 50's but got bright sunshine all eight days with temps in the upper 70's and low 80's).

I know it gets dark earlier at that time of year, but it does everywhere in the northern hemisphere, even Florida.

We'll probably get an entirely different perspective on this wonderful city.

gomiki

I have been several times in November. Plan on layers. It can be raw and drizzly or sunny and nice. Don't miss the windows at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps decorated for Christmas. Your child will love them. Lots of animation and there are steps up to a small platform to see them up close.

Have a great trip!

nolefan1

We went last year over Thanksgiving...11/16~11/24. Yes, it was quite chilly and wet on most of the days we were there. Not driving rain storms but some drizzle. But we didn't care, we were in Paris! It will be a good contrast to see how the city looks during that time of year as opposed to April. Take hats, earmuffs, gloves and scarves.

The big Dept. stores had already decorated for Christmas on our visit. I think they turned on the Christmas lights on the Champs Elysee the week after we left.

Paris is pretty and great anytime of the year...have fun!

gomiki

Oh, I forgot the flocked Christmas trees on the Champs! Very nice.

seafox

I'm from Hartford CT and the weather in Paris that time of the year is the same as here - totally unpredictable. Odds are you will get a variety of weather...as others have suggested, dress in layers. Don't over pack, just bring a lot of things that go well together - black is always safe! Enjoy the christmas season!

dawnnoelm

hmmmm I will be there December 26- Jan 2. I guess layers upon layers for us. I just purchased winter coats on sale because we do not own anything that would be warm enough. (Southern California)...

StCirq

Yes, the weather is totally unpredictable, but likely it will be raw, chilly, and windy, possibly rainy.

Whoever said Paris sometimes gets lots of snow is incorrect. It occasionally gets a small amount of snow.

Anyway, it hardly matters. Go prepared, with hat and gloves and umbrella and layers. It's still Paris. It's still magic.

seafox

Be sure to plan on buying a couple of fabulous scarves in Paris. Practical and a great item to take home!!! And, insist that your wife plan on some extra luggage space so she can buy some really cool warm shoes. Walk the Rivoli toward Les Halles for reasonable cost shopping. Make the weather the fun part of your trip...an umbrella from Paris bought on the street for 5EU is a treasure!!!

CarolA

I have been once in early December and once over Christmas.

Maybe I am just lucky, but it never struck me as that cold. I took an "all weather coat" with a zip out liner and was fine. I don't want to haul the wool coat around, it's HEAVY LOL!

I did pack some long underwear and warm clothing, but it's not that bad...

kerouac

In this most recent season, the end of November was freezing (which it normally isn't), and we had no freezing weather at all in December inside the city of Paris (there was a slight frost in the suburbs for a few days).

We did not see one single snowflake or even any sleet this winter in Paris... yet.

kerouac

Oh, they also mentioned that this was the sunniest winter in 58 years... so don't count on it next winter!

The department stores will have the decorations up by the end of November and so will the Champs Elsy&eacute;es. The new lighting system was <b>very</b> nice last Christmas, and used 70% less electricity.

dawnnoelm

I was wondering about that snow thing... I had not read that in any of the weather research I had done. I got a few good warm coats on sale for myself and daughters.

Looking for warm boots. They love Uggs (U-G-L-Y) but they are okay on a 15 and 11 year old. Not on a 40 year old imo.