What is the weather like? Also, I have found two package deals that are available for March 2002, 5 or 6 nights air/hotel for $570 or $650 out of Austin, TX. Is this a good deal? I could fly on AirFrance for $444 but then I would have to book my own hotel. Would I be able to find a 2-3 star hotel for two people under $60 a night in Paris for these dates? Thanks for any help or ideas!

Weather varies; last time I was there early March, I did not take a winter coat, but a raincoat with lining and layering pieces, eg, cotton t-necks, silk underwear. One day it was warm enough to sit at outdoor cafe, but the other 8 days it was too cool.<BR>Check out a copy of Cheap Sleeps in Paris to see if you can find a 2 star for under $60, and perhaps you will get some recommendations on this site. I like to book my own hotel b/c I get to choose the location; pkg. deal probably save $$, tho.<BR>

march is very cold and rainy. go another time.

I disagree with John about not going. The weather is always sporadic. Somedays are nice, others more wet. It does tend to be pretty cold though, if you are from TX especially, you may freeze!

We've been to Paris in March twice, found it less crowded, cool/cold, sometimes damp. Even with the rains and flooding from last March, it did not rain on us but sporadically. I'd gladly return at this time, especially since it is more affordable. I've been monitoring www.go-today.com for their 6-night package (from Jacksonville it is $529 + tax for a nice 2-3* hotel). Better 2-3* hotels seem to average $75 up for this time, from those I've researched.

As others have said, the weather can change from one day to the next, though it probably will be rainy at least part of the time. I certainly wouldn't let that stop me from going to paris though. If you get cold, go inside, warm up with a hot chocolate, stop for a glass of wine ! Also I lived in Tx for years and have been really cold there too!

I agree, March is a great time to travel in that it is not tourist season you can enjoy the attractions with less crowds. The weather in Paris is always rainy here and there.

If your main deciding criteria is whether you can do it cheaper on your own, then I would forget it, there are very few hotels less than that rate in 2-star category, let alone 3, and you'll spend a lot of time looking and trying to figure out locations/quality. Many of those packages haven't added in all the taxes, etc, though, whereas AF's figures probably include them. Is it possible you can find a hotel less than $60 somewhere in Paris? yes, of course, if you aren't picky and will stay on the edges in a 1-2 star, you might find something for $50 a night, but boy is that cheap for a double. I know of no 3-star for that rate in Paris, although there might be one in the 10th, 12th or 13th arr.

I've been to Paris twice in March and both times the weather was beautiful more days than it wasn't, with just one or two cool rainy days each trip. In '99 I took a photo that we used for our Christmas card that next December and we were all in shirtsleeves. And I truly believe that even if it's cold and rainy, there's noplace better to be than Paris. But we'll see if I still think so when I get back from my next trip in 3 weeks!