We are debating whether to visit Paris in Feb for Valentines day (it sounds so romantic!) or wait until April or May when the weather is warmer. We have at least 10 days available. Would also like to visit the Provence area, but are not sure how much time we should reserve for going there or if we should forget it so we can have enough time to see everything in Paris. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I was in Paris in late February two years ago and the temp reached the upper 50's and even the mid 60's on two occasions, although that may have been unusual. However, all things being equal, I would certainly pick April or May as better months. <BR><BR>I'm the type that has to get out of the big city and would recommend Provence. I understand the TGV goes directly to Avignon so you can get there without wasting an entire day. Rent a car in advance of leaving the U.S. at Avignon and travel at your leasure, using Avignon as your base. Hotel reservations should not be needed. Good Luck

Paris is great anytime of year but I think the best thing to do in Paris is to sit outside at a cafe and drink (vin rouge or un cafe or cafe au lait.<BR><BR>February has somewhat less predictable weather but the museums and sights would be less crowded.<BR><BR>Enjoy. I agree with the other posters. Stay in Paris. With 10 days you have enough time to enjoy it.<BR><BR>

An old, experienced traveler put it best: the more you travel, the less you see. Slow down, savor, experience. Life is not a race; it is a meal.

We went to France this year in May..both Paris and Provence. The weather was still a little cool, but nice. I think it is possible to do both places in 10 days, depending on how busy you want to be. You may want to just soak up the ambience of Paris for 10 days (which is wonderful). We stayed in Paris for 5 nights and then took the train down to Avignon. You can book tickets on the sncf website and just pick them up in Paris. We then picked up our hire car in Avignon and followed instructions to our "gite" (like a holiday home) in the Vaucluse region. We stayed there for 5 days which is not really long enough I admit..but we did a lot of driving, exploring the country side every day. We didn't do the big cities (Aix, Avignon, Arles) preferring to stop in small towns like St Remy, Gordes etc. It's definitely possible to do both and I feel you get an impression of a France that is not just 'Parisienne'!

Been to Paris 2x; once in Feb. No problems! Try Le Grizzli restaurant for dinner some night. Not pretentious but very delicious. Eat outside, order a carafe of wine, and enjoy people-watching.<BR><BR>We lived in Provence for 4 months. I agree w/ another poster that St Remy is a great little village to visit (we lived 8 miles down the road from it and ate there often) Check out Les Baux, Aix (on a non-weekend day, when it won't be AS crowded). Avignon is just ok, not as big a deal as we'd expected. The Palais de Papes there is big but really empty.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!