tod

Kerouac we unfortunately did not have any fun like that! (This is 2005 I'm talking about).
Three of us Fodorites met for dinner at Pharamond and then set off for a Nuit Blanche experience. We headed down to Pont Neuf hoping to pick up the Vedettes de Paris for a night cruise but no sooner had the taxi dropped us off we found ourselves deserted in the dark and the boats all closed up!
Eventually we managed a cab to Pont de la Bourdonais hoping to get something there. Only the BatoBus was giving a discount ride and the queues were lengthy. By that time we were pretty tired so after watching Lady Eiffel do her magnificent sparkley thing we headed home.
Thanks for your tips on how to find "excitement". Maybe theres a next time?!

Kate_W

It sounds like you've decided not to visit here in May, but for the benefit of others considering a holiday then, I'd like to mention that May and early June are chock-full of statutory holidays: 1 May (May Day), 8 May (Liberation), late May (Ascension - in 2007 it will be May 17) and late May or early June (Pentecost - in 2007 it will be May 27/28). Some European countries share the same holidays. It's not that you shouldn't travel here then; it's just that you might be inconvenienced. There will be a lot of French families taking long weekends (therefore, trains and planes will book up, increasing fare prices, and stations will be crowded), some shops and restaurants might be closed and a few attractions might be closed. Also, this is a popular time for strikes. Try to avoid travelling immediately before, during or immediately after the long weekend and make sure that you budget enough days for your visit to accommodate the possibility of closures.

My Parisien colleagues tell me that June is often hotter than August in Paris.

Paris is fairly far north and so it stays light fairly late from May-mid October. Late September or early October would be a lovely time to visit. During the past two years we've been living in Paris, the temperatures have generally been in the range of 12C (morning or nighttime low) to low 20s C. My husband says it's similar to San Francisco. It does rain throughout the year, but in short, intense cloudbursts. Pack an umbrella and at least two pairs of comfortable shoes, in case one pair gets wet.

If you can spare the time, you might also consider a dash on the high speed train down to Provence during your visit. That way, you could be reasonably assured of having a decent dose of warmth. My husband and I visited the mountains north of Nice in late September. Nice was sunny and mid-20s. The mountains were about 15-25C.

Although it won't deliver heat, another fun side trip would be to go champagne-tasting. Check out my trip report from late summer:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34845706

djkbooks

I would point out, once again, that you can do very well if you are willing to spend the time and effort to shop like the dickens.

Weather is totally unpredictable, but more likely to be pleasant May-October. Way more pleasant than November-April!

If it were me, I'd be shopping flights with Kayak and 1800FlyEurope for various dates, and shopping hotel rates. There are dozens, or more, hotels, with hugely favorable rates way in advance, if you know what you're doing.

If you really want to grab terrific air fares and hotel rates, it can be done, but you're going to have to do the work yourself!

namaka

Hello again. After finally deciding on the fall months to visit Paris (Sept, Oct), I got a flight Aug 21-30 on United for $553.00. So now for some August questions-

I am guessing that the apt I get should have AC during this time?

Since it is the end of August, do you think the things will start to open/re-open after all the Europeans vacation?

Anything special happening or not happening?

djkbooks

You'll find a multitude of websites with "what's happening" in Paris for your dates with simple websearches or a search on this forum.

Some places are closed for two weeks in August, some for the entire month. Mostly family restaurants and smaller shops. The Access Guide is a good resource.

It could be chilly or sweltering, or in between, in August, a few days of one, followed by a few days of the other. You just never know...

Only a small percentage of apartments have A/C, and just because they do does not mean the place will be significantly cooled.

namaka

Thanks djkbooks. I did a search for Aug. last night and didn't really come up with anything, so I just tried again and got lots of info.

I will be sure to get A/C and although I realize that it may not be super cool, just having it will be enough. I am a unusually cold person, even when most think it is hot. I live in Nor Cal where temps are often over 100 degrees in the summer so I should be ok. For me it's better too hot than too cold.lol!

woodstockguy

Here's another way you may be able to take advantage of off season flight fares. If you book a flight leaving for Paris in late March but returning in April, you might still get off season rates. I've done that a couple of times - the weather is a bit tricky, but nothing like winter.

clsavocat

Well, I can't advise on this, I've only been to Paris in June. It can be cold and rainy then, or it can be very hot! However, we are going to be in Paris on March 8 through 11 this year, and I'm hoping for mild weather. I had no choice because it had to coincide with my daughter's spring break, but I hope we'll enjoy ourselves a lot regardless! We did get pretty good deals on airfaire. We will be visiting museums etc. so will be inside a lot! I'm a little worried about the weather, though.

clsavocat

Just wanted to report that we were in Paris from March 7 through 11, and the weather was incredible! It was perfect! They had planted lots of gorgeous, colorful annuals all over, and trees were in bloom! Even worked up a sweat running up the steps of L'Arch de Triomphe!