Planning a trip to Paris in January...looking for advice from people who have been there at this time. What is closed, what is worthwhile, etc. Planning on seeing Paris and Loire Valley area, and day tripping to Normandy for D day stuff. Perhaps cross the border to Brussels?

I'm topping for you Jodi... I've been in late November; Very nice. Nice enough weather! Socially/culturally, EVERYTHING is open, theaters, opera, restaurants, etc.

Why would you hesitate?

SuzieC, Oh, the tickets confirmed, no hesitation, just looking for some advice in planning the non-Paris aspect. I love little out of the way villages but am unsure wht will be worthwhile in the winter and would hate to waste any of that precious time.
I'm topping for you
Uh, I don't understand what you mean by this, elaborate?

jodi - by "topping", Suzie just meant that she was responding to your post, which would bring it back to the top of the list of posts, kind of like I am doing now...

I went to Paris in January many years ago and had a great time, but I didn't go outside of Paris...sorry I can't be of more help.

Karen

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We visited France in Feb. a couple years ago. Paris was quite chilly and wet. Be sure to take layers as Parisians keep their buildings a lot warmer than we are used to. I would have died wwearing a turtleneck. Instead I wore crew necks with scarves that could be taken off. We were able to get really cheap flights to the south of France so we flew into Nice and then rented a car and a week later flew out of Perpignan back to Paris. The weather there was a whole lot better than in the north. However we did run into the Tremontaine which is a horrible wind like la mistral.

We spent a great week in Provence a few years back, in early December. Our good luck was to have weather that was balmy and springlike.

I don't think winter is a good time to visit the Loire Valley--so much beautiful vegetation will be dormant, such as the gardens at Villandry. You might consider Burgundy as an alternative.

We went tp Paris in February and June the same year. February was much more enjoyable (no crowds). Everything was open. We did not venture out of Paris, except to Versailles. Also went to London in February, delightful. Weather was not bad at all. Layer.

Underhill,
Why Burgundy? I was thinking Loire would be nice if only to see the chateaux, but I realize the landscapes will not be what it would be in springtime. I welcome any advice on Burgundy or Belgium.