Well, I'm convinced that August is probably the right choice. And it's closer so, why not! Thanks guys. And I considered an airbnb but considering it seems like it's being cracked down on in Paris, apparently, makes me very wary of using it as an option.
I found a hotel for 88 dollars a night in Paris that seems very decent according to the reviews. I'll look st airbnb's but I'll be cautious thinking about it based on what I've read. Though obviously I don't know first hand

<i>And I considered an airbnb but considering it seems like it's being cracked down on in Paris, apparently, makes me very wary of using it as an option. </i>

Good call. I used to enjoy renting apartments in Paris but now I stay in hotels. I try to comply with local ordinances when I travel. For what it's worth, I have found reviews on booking.com to be pretty accurate.

Do get a hotel instead of an apartment because of the illegal apartment issues, but anyplace that is quoting a price in US dollars would also be suspect to me, or are you just converting the price?

>> I'm convinced that August is probably the right choice

Good call. If it was me, I would choose August too, because November is considered the worse month in France: cold, raining, the golden foliage has finished, but the Christmas decorations haven't lighted up yet.

In Paris, don't miss the Orsay Museum which hosts several exquisite painting of Van Gogh, and the Montmartre area which was connected with the artist too.

Budget food: croissant + coffee for breakfast, many bakeries/cafes sell this combo for just 2E, and croissant in the morning is such a deli. You can buy sandwiches in boulangeries (bread shops) which often have fresh bread and healthy, tasty sandwiches. Don't buy it in supermarkets. On the otherhand, salads and cheeses and wines in supermarkets are good enough. Crêpes stalls on streets is a nice option too.

Stcirq I looked at hotels on Expedia which has the price in dollars but then I followed my top choices up by looking at the hotels main website and the prices seem to match up when I convert the euro price to dollars from there, so I think it's okay. I'll book the rooms from the main site instead of Expedia or some other third party website because it's direct and if I had any problems I feel like it would be better if I had booked through the hotel directly.

And furryfluffy that is some great advice about food. Thank you. And yes I am very much looking forward to the Orsay!

I never use Expedia. The one time I did, for a flight on Spirit Airlines , I got royally screwed. I use booking.com for all hotels. Yes, you can figure out what it costs in US dollars, I think (doesn't matter to me because my currency is euros), and you can cancel ahead of time, etc., but yes, booking through the hotel websites is a perfectly fine idea, too. I like booking.com because I get 10% off on all bookings for being a "genius member," and I book a whole lot of hotels in Europe and 10% adds up for me.

aha! a fellow genius! Hi!

I'd use booking.com as well

I live in these parts. I don't like November. One of the things about northern Europe is that is so very much an indoors based culture in the winter months.

menachem, we are bonded in several ways, I think

Well, I'm glad that the op has decided on a good month that will work for him/her --

But I do have to disagree with menachem that November isn't a good time to visit a city in northern Europe!

I do a lot of travelling in those dreary months of the year -- November, February, and March -- and I love it. I also visit many places in northern Europe -- Montreux by Lake Geneva, Paris, and Brugge in the last few years, as well as many spots around Bavaria, where I live.

And I love to wander the streets! I haven't ever had a problem wandering and window shopping and popping in here & there. It's all fine with me. Of course, I spent 20 years in the military, and I know how to dress for the weather, but that's a pretty easy and quick education.

I far prefer visiting in the waaay off-season months. I personally don't ever travel in the deep summer when kids are out of school unless there is a music festival I absolutely must see.

Anyway, just mho.

s

Ha, I'm a genius member at booking dot com too. Yes it has plenty of advantages: discounts, sometimes you can stay over check-out hour, sometimes the Wifi is only free for genius etc.
I have 2 accounts there and both are genius, I just traveled too much ^^

Pofie: about budget foods in France , some minor tips: only eat croissant in the morning and never in the afternoon - croissant out of oven for more than 4h is not tasty anymore. For crêpe stalls on streets, only eat crêpe that is made in front of your eyes (watching them do it is also a pleasure), not the stack of crêpes that was prepared hours ago. In restaurant, the Dish of the Day (Menu/Plat du jour) is often cheaper than other dishes and made of ingredients of the season.

About accommodation, I think hotels are better for you than airbnb or appartement, because it's your first time abroad, the hotel receptionist will be helpful for you in case you need help.

Also, if it's the first time you flight, try to sleep as much as you can on the airplane, it'll help with jet lag. Ask for a seat next to airplane window if possible, that seat is easier to sleep. Once you land, a nap of 20 mins will help with jetlag - I read a research which said that, and I applied it.

About whether to go to Arles, you can take a look at train ticket from Paris to Arles, normally 3 months in advance is the time to buy. If the ticket is not too expensive, why not.

I'm sure your trip will be wonderful.

Pofie: You'll have an amazing time in August. My first time in Paris was in July and August, when I was 23, many years ago. If you're a morning person, I recommend getting out early when the city is waking up, storekeepers sweeping their shops...
Highly recommend Auver-sur-Oise-- seeing his tiny room, walking the fields that he painted, his simple gravesite ... they gave me chills.

If you're looking for a cheap, clean, comfortable and safe hotel in Paris, I'd recommend (and I know others would too):
http://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/

Patrick - stop recommending our little hotel!

I'm afraid that I may have to bookmark that, Jamikins

That is very reasonably priced indeed...

Did you feel safe walking around the area? Is there food nearby?Or is it more of metro access only neighborhood?

I barely got back from Paris and I already want to go back I honestly thought I was done travelling for a bit!