Hi. Planning a trip for 2014 and, having encountered cold and rainy weather in the UK in May, want some input on the best time of year to do this.

We plan to see the Loire Valley (probably basing in Amboise) then drive to the Burgundy area (basing in Dijon, perhaps), and back to Paris.

To avoid the worst of the tourist crowds, June or September might be the best time to visit those areas.

I wouldn't plan a trip to France based on a weather experience in the UK. Is it only weather that concerns you? Or numbers of other visitors or seeing the gardens & vineyards at a particular time of year? What are the criteria?

We went to the Loire in September and it was perfect.

We like May or June - before the worst of the tourist rush, longer days and sites are open longer hours. Of course you may get rain - I have never been on a trip anywhere in europe (except southern Spain) of more than 5 days or so without rain. It's rarely full on downpours and a little water never hurt anyone unless they were camping or going to the beach.

June might be better for the Loire in term of great access to the Son et Lumiere shows.

Vineyards will look fine anytime from May through harvest.

Mme Perdue--

Primary criterion is weather. Not planning based on UK weather, but don't want to get that again, if possible.

We would probably go in either early spring or autumn as we want to avoid the worst of the crowds. Right now I'm leaning to autumn--say late September or October for the vineyards. That is, unless someone has other thoughts.

A few years ago, we did northern France and Belgium in September and the weather was close to perfect.

I'd go for June or September also. October is fine.