plambers

Hi all. For 2016, want to take family to France. For kids (11 and 13) it is first time. Thinking Paris, Dordogne and Provence for 2.5-3 weeks.

Was initially thinking late June but late July to mid August really suits our needs better.

Have always heard that Paris in August was awful-good restaurants closed etc. but lately am hearing that this has changed.

What are pros and cons of August travel in these areas? Thanks all.

traveller1959

August is the main travelling time for the French. This means, in Southern France it is peak season. Expect incredible traffic congestions on the autoroutes (especially on Saturdays), skyrocketing prices, crowds at the tourist attractions and fully booked hotels. Also, Provence will be VERY hot. It is worst between mid-July and the last weekend of August. We usually avoid that season and travel either in May/June or September/October.

Jeff801

I like Paris in August. There are more than enough open restaurants, all the tourist attractions are available, and the city is less crowded than in other months.

In Provence, you will find very crowded roads and very warm temperatures. 35 degrees is a common reading. Traveller1959 understated the crowding on the autoroutes. In the absence of a toll booth tag, made available by some rental car companies, you can expect to lose between 30 and 45 minutes at each toll stop on the weekends. That could be worse on the first, third and fifth weekends of August. Because the Assumption holiday falls on a Saturday, the third weekend is three days long, and traffic will be even worse then.

You might be better off in Northern France for that time period. There is a new Joan of Arc Museum in Rouen, Alsace is lovely at the time of year, and Normandy and Brittany have much to see and do. And, the driving distances are shorter and offer many alternatives to the autoroutes.

mamcalice

I agree with the recommendations above to avoid Provence and the Dordogne in August. Paris isn't more crowded than at other times but to avoid mobs in the South, consider going as early in the summer as you can. Or, alternatively, follow Jeff801's suggestion and stay in Northern France.

nytraveler

Agree south will be incredibly crowded and hot. Also NOT everyplace has AC - so make sure your lodgings throughout france do have it - or that it's not necessary (staying in a casel n the Loire perhaps).

I too would do norther France at that time - will still be crowded but not SO bad and the hat more bearable.

And remember Paris can be very hot too - not all the time but upper 90s is perfectly possible - we;ve had that even in June.

StuDudley

An acquaintance who owns a B&B in the Dordogne, stated that in late July & early August you can walk from one bank of the Dordogne river to the opposite bank & stay out of the water by stepping on all the canoes.

Don't go then.

Stu Dudley

plambers

Ok-mid June in Dordogne and last week of June in Provence and first week of July in Paris it is! thanks

Michael

If anything the Provence is warmer than the Dordogne. Switch the two around.

plambers

Michael, that makes logistics tough, doesn't it? . We were going to fly into Talouse and then drive to the Dordogne for a week and then drive to Provence and take the ATV to Paris from Avignon.

How would we do the flights if we did Provence first? Both houses will have pools too.

Michael

Fly to Marseille, and take the train from Brive-la-Gaillarde back to Paris. It's not the TGV, but it is quite fast. Buy the tickets three months in advance and you might pay as little as 20€ per person.

StuDudley

>> Talouse<<

Toulouse

>> drive to Provence and take the ATV<<

TGV

As I recall, you were trying to arrive in Provence as late into June as you can, so that there would be a better chance if catching the lavender in bloom.

Stu Dudley

FrenchMystiqueTours

Where are you flying into to Toulouse from? Are you coming from somewhere within train distance? Can you fly into Marseille or Nice?

Pvoyageuse

"Because the Assumption holiday falls on a Saturday, the third weekend is three days long"
No, it will be a 2-day week-end as usual.

plambers

Sorry Stu-we are going ATVing in Costa Rica in a few months so getting my terms confused!

We were going to fly from the US to Toulouse and do the Dordogne first and then Provence then Paris. Want to see the lavender in bloom-saw the poppies last time.

txtree

I still haven't done a trip report on our visit to Paris and the Dordogne last summer (I'm so far behind on TRs!), but we went in late July and early August. Although I was quite worried about the heat, it turned out to be rather chilly and rainy for us in both places. We were wearing sweaters in the evening and long-sleeve shirts during the day, plus rain jackets on many days. The kids went swimming but I never got warm enough to want to take a dip. So I think you just never know about the weather!

Christina

The whole issue about Paris in August being awful and "good" restaurants being closed is mostly by people who spend a lot of money, are picky about where they eat, and want "name" restaurants. Otherwise, why would you care, you aren't going to starve, plenty of restaurants are open, even if some are closed. I don't think it's changed at all, actually. Some are closed, I just don't get why people are so upset about that, there are hundreds of restaurants in the city.