Paris in Nov
 

Hello!

Just got back from my holiday in barbados!! oooh it was wonderful toasty weather :)

Now i am planning our trip to paris and i don't know what i need to take? Will a leather jacket be enough or do i need to pack overcoats?
Is it rainy in that month?

Thanks!

Ash

Paris is always rainy, and you can pretty much count on rain in November. Pack the leather coat if you like, but be prepared for cold and rain as well.

I have been in Paris in November when it was bitter cold with ice storms. Last year at the end of November it was rainy and quite cool but not biting, but there were also a few days when the sun came out and warmed things up to the point that we were removing our coats (mine was leather). Best bet is to carry a collapsible umbrella and dress in layers.

Going by my last November visit to Paris, I'd take a raincoat and umbrella (one for each person - it's too difficult to share). I'd remove the raincoat's zip-out lining, however, and prepare to "layer" my clothing, e.g., T-neck, sweater, as needed, depending on the temperature. As has been noted, you probably can count on rain.

HI, we were there in March which also can be cold rainy and raw. Whether you are a man or a woman, I suggest a long wool (altho cashmere is the warmest) scarf/muffler. If you need it, it can be wrapped around several times and is a lifesaver!! If you don't need it, it stays in the hotel room.

I've been to Paris 2x for Thansgiving, and my husband and I both took long wool overcoats. When it was cold, it was very, very cold, so we were grateful for them. When it was nice(i.e cold and sunny, not bitter and damp) we just let them hang open to catch a breeze and wore only a thin sweater underneath.

A long coat is nice for sitting outside on benches, in cafes, etc. because it keeps your legs and bottom warm.

The long snuggly scarf suggested by SocialWorker is a must. It gives you that "je ne sais quoi" flair and blocks out the wind and rain. It can be wrapped around your shoulders if you are sitting in a drafty spot in a cafe, and tied babushka-style around your head if a sudden bitter wind threatens to freeze your ears off. This past trip, I bought a gorgeous one while I was there as my souvenier.

A chic hat will also keep you warm while looking oh so cool. On both trips we did encounter at least one heavy rainfall, and just wore our hats instead of dealing with umbrellas. We ended up ducking into the sewer tour to escape the rain, and really enjoyed it.

I like to err on the side of being too warm, because I can always leave layers in the room, as SocialWorker suggested.

Hi BlueSwimmer--I did not know if subash was a man or woman but since you are obviously a woman and a kindred spirit about the importance of layers, I will tell you of my other "can't be without" item for that time of year and travel. I have a wonderful black merino wool shawl. When it is folded, it barely takes more room than a sweater. It can be worn alone in place of a jacket, if it is not too cold or draped over the coat you are wearing and still look very stylish. Needless to say, it was also great to snuggle up with any time I felt chilly!! That shawl along w/my pink cashmere scarf made my trip to Paris a pleasure even on the rawest days b/c I never felt a moment of discomfort. I had taken a longish black microfiber jacket that functioned fine by itself on the warmer days and was a terrific base for my above named items on the cold raw days.

Socialworker-

Shawls rock!

Your pink cashmere muffler is making me want to jump up from my desk and run over to Loehman's, where there is a dusky lavender cashmere scarf/shawl (about 18 inches wide) on sale for 40 bucks. I have been coveting it for two weeks, but denying myself the pleasure since I already have the scarf I bought in Paris, plus my beloved pashmina shawl, which I also wear around me when I read in bed at the hotel on trips:)!

This is the mixed blessing of working less than two minutes from Loehman's.

When we are in Europe, even my DH, who would never wear a scarf at home, loves to wear his scarf in that French style that looks sort of like a neck brace.

When he also puts on his beret (he's bald, needs wind coverage and loves berets)I call him "Guillaume the Super Frenchman" (in a bad French accent in which super sounds like su-pair). He looks so stereotypical, all he needs is a bicycle with a baguette sticking out of the basket.

People who go in summer don't know what they are missing!

Is the weather in Paris in late November much different from that in London during that period? We spent Thanksgiving in London last year, and though damp, the temperature was perfect. We were never cold, and never needed more than a jacket. I hope it is no colder in Paris.

crepes, it is probably similar and how you perceive it may well depend on where you are coming from. Because we live in the "North Country", the average temperatures in Paris tend to be warmer than what we are leaving behind and we never feel like it is all that cold. If I was living in Tampa or Galveston, I would likely feel differently about it.

Thanks fly, I wondered if that might be the case. I am way down south in New Orleans, but am very hot natured, so London temps were great for me. My mother, on the other hand, may be a different story. She has gotten very cold natured in her old age! I will make her take an extra layer.

Yes...we'll be in Paris for 9 days over Thanksgiving. I've been away from "cold weather" (the Mid West/Chicago) for over 30 years now. (Now in SF). I'm concerned. For "conditioning" I plan on doffing my clothes and standing on the shoreline at Chrissy Field facing the wind for at least 2 hrs per day for 5 days prior to our flight. Maybe running into the Bay for good measure. On the other hand, I'm 60...so I'll probably have a dibilitating stroke or something. If you don't hear from me on or around 11/18, call 911 and send them to Chrissy Field. Tell the authorities I'll be what some of the less informed passers-by believed to be the new "ornamental structure" on the beach.

crepes, I'm sure there's some variance from year to year, but the November I visited Paris, the Loire Valley, etc. was VERY cold and damp, e.g., rain and temps in the 40s.

hola :)

thanks for the info everyone.

just to end the confusion, I (Subash) am a guy. My wife (Ash) just uses my Fodor's account to post (see how she signed the post :).

thanks all :)

Thanks for the post. We are going to be in Paris over the thanksgiving holiday and were wondering the same thing. I have to say though that we are excited to have an excuse to order another bottle of red wine..just ot keep us warm :)

We loved Paris in November. Like others said: light coat with layers, scarf, gloves.

My friend and I were both so glad we took our boots! The streets were wet much of the time but our feet stayed warm and dry. Just make sure they're well broken in before you go.

Have fun!

It was cold and damp when we were there, and now, my wife refuses to travel in that month again.