Hi everyone,

We are starting to plan a trip to Paris and Provence for next year and am trying to decide when to go. I've searched the topics and there is a thread from 2008, but I was wanting more updated info. Would love to be there during a beautiful time with light (was in Paris last December….very dark), but we want to avoid lots of crowds. Was thinking maybe the end of April and first of May. The '08 thread said that June was not crowded. Is this still true?

Thanks everyone for any info.

Some people have particular thing in minds they want to see, and I'm sure you know that the month affects what is in growing season or blooming. So if your idea of PRovence must be lavender in bloom, you cannot go in Spring (poppies aren't in bloom then, either, in April at least, and of course not sunflowers). I think being crowded is relative, actually, and partly depends where you go. I've been there several times in July and crowds never bothered me in particular anywhere, anyway. Except once at a morning market in Isle sur la Sorgue, actually, but that's about it.

Where are all the crowds you are fearing, in what kind of places? Because that might make a difference as to how much of a concern it would be. I don't stay in some of the most popular tourist spots, that's true, but I visit some of them. I"ve even stayed in Roussillon and it is very popular with tourists, so there were enough people walking around the town (especially during the day), but it didn't particularly bother me in any way, it wasn't walk to walk people so you couldn't move. I had no trouble getting a place in a restaurant right in town.

Crowds don't really materialize in huge numbers until European start their vacations in July and especially August - when a flood of Italians and French and others flood into Provence, said to be the # 1 tourist area in Europe for summer vacations.

The classic Provence seems to be the Arles-Avignon areas as there is so so much to see and do there - Les Baux; St-Remy; Uzes; Nimes; both Avignon and Arles; gthe Pont du Gard, the Camargue, etc all neatly lying within a very compact area.

there will be enough other tourists there in June to you will see others out at night, etc. but not nearly the mobs of mid-July thru the end of August (last weekend things clear out dramatically).

Our first visit to Provence was in early to mid April, and it rained lightly about half the time. May might be better, but it sleeted in Paris last May and late May at that. So you just have to pick a time that works for you that is not in July or August!

We were there in June last summer and did not find it too crowded.

Yeah for the classic Provence experience of Lavender, sunflowers, warm days and light out late you'll need to go in summer. I was there the first week of July last year and it was PERFECT. The lavender fields were in full bloom, it was light out till about 9 or later in Provence (well after 10 in Paris), it was warm but not what I call hot. Crowds of course depend on your definition but they didn't bother me at all.

Here's my trip report with link to photos - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...swiss-alps.cfm

We have found late May to be ideal in both Paris and Provence. Great weather, lovely green and things blooming, perfect time to visit Giverny. However, for lavender and sunflowers, follow isabel's advice.

I would time it for the very end of June to take advantage of things blooming and less chance of rain and cooler weather but before the crowds descend in july and august but I doubt the crowds are like on the "cote".

We were very happy with a visit to Provence in September.

See http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-europe.cfm

Best to avoid the Grande Vacances between the middle of July and end of August, when the whole of France goes on vacation, prices go through the roof and Provence becomes extremely hot.
Best time are shoulder months of May/June and September/October, as winters are very cold and many places of interest will be closed.

Priorities must be decided first.

In terms of natural beauty, the rapeseed fields are fantastic starting in May. Sunflowers and lavender are best in July.

In terms of human activity, most festivals are concentrated in July and August. However, there are so many festivals in France that you can find plenty of them during any month of the year -- you might want to check what is on during the month you prefer to visit.

My own preference for wandering around the country would probably be September, after the kids are back in school. It is still gloriously warm summer, but most of the crowds have completely evaporated.

You do realize the OP hasn't been back to the thread since starting it a month ago?

(Was topped by an advertiser)

We visited Provence this past latter half of April. Other than a few days of rain we enjoyed our time there and the lack of crowds and had good weather about half of the time. Of course as others have said, do not expect to see flowering fields.