France in Feb - Help needed
Dec 9th, 2012, 03:15 PM
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France in Feb - Help needed
Hello
I am visiting France in Feb for about 2.5 weeks. I only have a rough idea, and would like you to help me to see if the days allocated to each city is reasonable.
Paris - 4 days - is it enough to cover most tourist spots? Also i will come back to paris for another 2 days on the last lag of my trip
Dijon - 2 days
Lyon - 3 days
Avignon - 2 days? though people suggest 1 day is enough
Marseille - 3 days
Paris - 2 days
I plan to travel by TGV during those towns, and I read with TGV tickets, you need to buy in advance, how many days in advance is it? Can I buy them when I get to France, say 2 days in advance of my next trip? or you think it is better to buy online to be 100% secure?
I have never been to Europe during winter, and here in Sydney, we get about 15 deg during winter....I know it's gonna be cold in Feb, but how cold are we talking about here??
with accomendation in paris, my first choice will be the latin qtr, it just seems close to most tourist spots, wherelse would you suggest?
It would be great to hear from you guys about advice/tips.
I am visiting France in Feb for about 2.5 weeks. I only have a rough idea, and would like you to help me to see if the days allocated to each city is reasonable.
Paris - 4 days - is it enough to cover most tourist spots? Also i will come back to paris for another 2 days on the last lag of my trip
Dijon - 2 days
Lyon - 3 days
Avignon - 2 days? though people suggest 1 day is enough
Marseille - 3 days
Paris - 2 days
I plan to travel by TGV during those towns, and I read with TGV tickets, you need to buy in advance, how many days in advance is it? Can I buy them when I get to France, say 2 days in advance of my next trip? or you think it is better to buy online to be 100% secure?
I have never been to Europe during winter, and here in Sydney, we get about 15 deg during winter....I know it's gonna be cold in Feb, but how cold are we talking about here??
with accomendation in paris, my first choice will be the latin qtr, it just seems close to most tourist spots, wherelse would you suggest?
It would be great to hear from you guys about advice/tips.
Dec 9th, 2012, 03:23 PM
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I would add a day to Avignon and subtract one from Marseilles.
Regarding TGV tickets, buying them online doesn't have anything to do with them being "secure." The absolute cheapest tickets are available online starting 3 months out from your travel dates, so you should be buying them NOW. If you wait until you get there, you will pay top dollar (euro) - as in 2-3 times more in many cases than what you'd pay tomorrow. The closer it gets to your travel dates, the fewer discounted tickets are available. Go to www.voyages-sncf and don't click on the British flag - that will reroute you to the expensive RailEurope site. There are many threads here on Fodors explaining exactly how to buy the cheap (PREM) tickets online.
If you can find decent train connections, I'd consider going straight to Dijon after you land, so you don't split up your 6 days in Paris.
The Latin Quarter is near some sites, far from others, as is any place in Paris. I've never stayed there, and tend to avoid it, but many people seem to enjoy it immensely.
For weather, just check forecasts starting about a week out from you travel dates as well as historical weather information. No one here can predict the weather. I've been in Paris in February in a snow storm and also in shirtsleeves.
Regarding TGV tickets, buying them online doesn't have anything to do with them being "secure." The absolute cheapest tickets are available online starting 3 months out from your travel dates, so you should be buying them NOW. If you wait until you get there, you will pay top dollar (euro) - as in 2-3 times more in many cases than what you'd pay tomorrow. The closer it gets to your travel dates, the fewer discounted tickets are available. Go to www.voyages-sncf and don't click on the British flag - that will reroute you to the expensive RailEurope site. There are many threads here on Fodors explaining exactly how to buy the cheap (PREM) tickets online.
If you can find decent train connections, I'd consider going straight to Dijon after you land, so you don't split up your 6 days in Paris.
The Latin Quarter is near some sites, far from others, as is any place in Paris. I've never stayed there, and tend to avoid it, but many people seem to enjoy it immensely.
For weather, just check forecasts starting about a week out from you travel dates as well as historical weather information. No one here can predict the weather. I've been in Paris in February in a snow storm and also in shirtsleeves.
Dec 9th, 2012, 04:19 PM
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You may be lucky and get warm weather - in the upper 40s - or you may get freezing weather (zero centigrade) and snow - perhaps lots of snow. Lyons and Dijon are likely to be similar. South may be a little warmer. Best bet is to look at the forecast 3 or 4 days before you go.
You will probably need a warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, sweater and waterproof boots with a non-skid sole - if you want to be safe.
You will probably need a warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, sweater and waterproof boots with a non-skid sole - if you want to be safe.
Dec 9th, 2012, 07:21 PM
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Thanks for all your replies. I will definitely check out the weather few days before my flight! I am excited to see snow!!
Michael, my concern is since i am there over winter, not sure if all tourist spots will be open? but i am going to bring some books to kill time in the cafe if it rains or snows.. =)
StCirq, thanks for the advice on TGV. I will definitely check out the posts later. The reason I picked Latin qtr is after reading quite a few posts, they suggested it's a reasonable good area. Since I travel by myself, there is always the flexibility... what other areas will you suggest?
Michael, my concern is since i am there over winter, not sure if all tourist spots will be open? but i am going to bring some books to kill time in the cafe if it rains or snows.. =)
StCirq, thanks for the advice on TGV. I will definitely check out the posts later. The reason I picked Latin qtr is after reading quite a few posts, they suggested it's a reasonable good area. Since I travel by myself, there is always the flexibility... what other areas will you suggest?
Dec 9th, 2012, 07:29 PM
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Why would you be concerned about things being open in Avignon? It's a big city, full or permanent inhabitants. If you were going to some tiny town in the Lubéron or Bouches-du-Rhône that might be a concern, but Avignon? Nah! And I'm not even sure what you mean by "tourist spots." Museums? Historical sites? They're open year round. Any decent guidebook will tell you what's open when, year round.
As for areas of Paris to stay in, if you're young, you'll probably enjoy the Latin Quarter, as it's traditionally where all the students hang out (starting quite a few centuries ago with Abélard and Eloise). But the 6ème, 4ème are also very popular, and if you want to be a bit adventurous and save a boat-load of money, you might choose the 11ème or 13`eme, or 20ème or another of the outlying arrondissement, where there's much more diverse culture and much much cheaper prices. It might take you 15 minutes on the métro to get into the center of the city, but you could save hundreds of dollars and see something other than the cookie-cutter Paris that most first-timers see.
As for areas of Paris to stay in, if you're young, you'll probably enjoy the Latin Quarter, as it's traditionally where all the students hang out (starting quite a few centuries ago with Abélard and Eloise). But the 6ème, 4ème are also very popular, and if you want to be a bit adventurous and save a boat-load of money, you might choose the 11ème or 13`eme, or 20ème or another of the outlying arrondissement, where there's much more diverse culture and much much cheaper prices. It might take you 15 minutes on the métro to get into the center of the city, but you could save hundreds of dollars and see something other than the cookie-cutter Paris that most first-timers see.
Dec 9th, 2012, 08:03 PM
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Hehe, I am first timer to France 
I was just worried that due to it's winter, off peak season, maybe some places will not be open. I guess I simply worry too much! Thanks!
Only one little concern about Latin Qtr, I read that it's filled with more tourists than the parisians, that some posts mention it doesnt really feel so paris. I will definitely look into the 6 and 4th. "boat load" of money, it's first time hearing this phrase! I am not sure if I am this adventurous, since I am female, traveling alone. It's better to stay in the city centre to be safe.
I was just worried that due to it's winter, off peak season, maybe some places will not be open. I guess I simply worry too much! Thanks!Only one little concern about Latin Qtr, I read that it's filled with more tourists than the parisians, that some posts mention it doesnt really feel so paris. I will definitely look into the 6 and 4th. "boat load" of money, it's first time hearing this phrase! I am not sure if I am this adventurous, since I am female, traveling alone. It's better to stay in the city centre to be safe.
Dec 9th, 2012, 08:34 PM
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<<since I am female, traveling alone. It's better to stay in the city centre to be safe.>>
No, it's not at all true that it's better to stay in the city centre "to be safe." You will be safe almost all over Paris. In fact there are far more pickpockets and scammers in the tourist areas of Paris than in the outer arrondissements. And that's not to suggest that Paris is not a safe city - it is, but of course there are more rip-off artists in the "tourist" areas than elsewhere.
No, it's not at all true that it's better to stay in the city centre "to be safe." You will be safe almost all over Paris. In fact there are far more pickpockets and scammers in the tourist areas of Paris than in the outer arrondissements. And that's not to suggest that Paris is not a safe city - it is, but of course there are more rip-off artists in the "tourist" areas than elsewhere.
Dec 10th, 2012, 02:55 AM
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i believe you could cut a day off Dijon, in addition to Marseilles. Add it to Provence/Avignon.
As for an area being too touristy--first you are concerned about the time of year and things not being open and then that there will be too many tourists. ;o). I am never sure why people don't look around Paris and see that people really do live there all the time, go to the markets where tourists are supposed to abound, walk around just like, well, tourists.
The Latin Quarter will also have an abundance of young people that might make it an attractive area for you to be.
As for an area being too touristy--first you are concerned about the time of year and things not being open and then that there will be too many tourists. ;o). I am never sure why people don't look around Paris and see that people really do live there all the time, go to the markets where tourists are supposed to abound, walk around just like, well, tourists.
The Latin Quarter will also have an abundance of young people that might make it an attractive area for you to be.
