We visited France in October of 2021. We spent five nights and six days in Paris and five nights in the Dordogne Region for a Yoga and Wellness retreat at Chateau de Bardouly. The weather was great but we did need a light jacket or sweater in the evening. We did not experience long lines but the Louvre was filled with a crush of tourists as well as the Paris Opera House. We also visited Josephine Baker's Chateau des Milandes. We spent one night in Bordeaux and visited Bergerac as well as Saint-Vincent-de -Cosse. It was a great trip and we can't wait to visit again. Your channel help me to buckle down and improve my French and your book was extremely helpful. Thank you.
Wow what a nice trip!! The yoga retreat sounds heavenly and looks like you got around and saw so much. So happy my content (and especially my eBook) is helpful ;-)))
Your video is a perfect summary! This is exactly what I would have recommended! Avoid school holidays if possible. End of May to end of June or beginning of September for sunny holidays. Early May or late September can also be suitable if you visit the south-east of France. Definitely, January or March are the best for skiing. In February it's way too expensive and it's crowded.
I’ve been to France many times - all over the country and at different times of the year. However - never in July or August. We like September the best. One thing to remember is that the weather can vary a lot from region to region. We went to Paris and Provence in April for our honeymoon. Paris was gray and freezing, Provence was warm and sunny (perfect spring weather). We were surprised how cold Paris was in April. One advantage of the September is that you can still enjoy the tail end of the great summer produce.
Yep, we have an old saying "En Avril, ne te découvre pas d'un fil." (In April, don't take off any cloth), which is often very appropriate for Paris and other continental climate regions.
We live in Phoenix, AZ and the hottest months here are July and August. We travel during those months to escape the heat. We are visiting the Normandy and Brittany areas for 6 weeks in July and August. I know this is a bad time to visit for crowds, but it's when we choose to travel. I'm hoping the weather in these areas will be nice and coolish. We travelled in Provence, in mid-June 2018, and we got to experience the mistral, hot temps and the cicadas. We had a great time, but would definitely do it again in September or October. Thank you for all your helpful information about France. I've been following you since our first trip to France.
My parents traveled to Europe almost every year and they always went in September and early October. They did go to Germany one year for the Christmas markets. In fact, my mom has already booked her trip to come and see me in SW France in September!
hey! sorry, i know you posted this a year ago but am currently doing some research as I am planning on visiting France for my first time in early October! Is there often much rain during this time? If yes, is it enough rain to deter you from going out and doing things? I'm planning on being in Paris, Nice and Lyon. Thanks!
@@alanahorsley3171 For Paris, I have find that there is some rain in early October, but not every day and not necessarily pouring rain. Of course, there is no guarantee, as a major storm could roll through. But so far when I’ve gone, there has been maybe a day or two of rain, and then the rest of our 10-day visit has been nice. Just bring an umbrella and dress in layers. I haven’t been to Nice, but I have been to the Spanish Mediterranean coastline in October, and the weather was beautiful - sunny and warm but not too hot - so I’d imagine Nice will be similar. Lyon will likely be nice as well.
Hi Diane....our French vacation happened nearly a decade ago now! We came from Canada to Arles and boarded a river cruise on the Saone from Arles to Lyons with lots of stops along the way. It was the last few days of August and the first few days of September. The weather was WONDERFUL, neither too hot nor too cold and only one intermittently rainy day the whole time. There was so much to see and do, but one thing I did miss and wish I could have seen was the blooming of the lavendar fields around Arles. We were too late in the year for that. :( I loved every minute of our cruise/tour experience and would return to France in a heartbeat if I could
I love Lyon! I've spent June and December there for several years, especially love the Fetes des Lumieres in December. Yes, it's crowded and expensive but the city is lit with colorful exhibits and everyone walks around all evening. It's my absolutely favorite place in the world and I'm looking into moving there permanently in 2023!
Unless you're specifically looking for summer/winter activities, hands down the best months to travel to France are April or October. Businesses are still open, but weather is not extremely hot or cold (and, having lived 5+ years in France, I can say from personal experience that a summer "canicule" heat wave is brutal and to be avoided at all costs). The holiday season is definitely beautiful (especially in the east with their Christmas markets) but it's also very crowded.
We did Paris in February and again in March - was was lovely. Stayed at St Christopher's Inn | Hostel in Paris Canal, hand to the subway system and very walk able to places
I agree with your recommendations - although it kind of pains me to let that information out 😉 I'm heading over on the 31st for most of June (1-29) to work on the house. I don't usually like to go that close to summer as I spend the last couple of days in Paris (COVID test). Also, I'm in Central France (Dept 86/ Vienne) so it does get warm and I don't have air. But, yes, the spring and fall are my usual and favorite times to visit. I've only been in July once and that was for my birthday, 14 July ( so nice of the country to give me a party😀). Thank you for your videos - I absolutely love them and the topics you discuss💗
Mid September twice: Paris & chantilly were perfect, Avignon was warm and relaxing. You’re right on the children in school. We were able to book fun accommodations at reasonable prices,
I have been to Paris in June and October back in the 80s for work, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Most recently was March in Brittany, we stayed in Vannes for just under 3 weeks and explored all over Brittany.
I was in France during September & November. In Normandy, based in Rouen. Other than one Saturday in Paris when it rained all afternoon, couldn't have asked for better weather. Even went to Deauville & Honfluer in the beginning of November and it was lovely.
@dark wizard Cool, you will need a jacket/light coat/windbreaker; or perhaps a lined trench coat and a windbreaker. Expect gray days and at least on shower in the afternoon.
My husband and I were in Nice in April . We fell in love with it . We are leaving Texas hopefully in 2 years to settle there . Very scared but excited . Our biggest thing is making friends and hoping that Nice will be fit what want long term . Any tips would be great ! Love your videos
I had the chance to visit France 5 times but all were on duty or training n every time I travelled to France was always in August/September but as it was on duty, the company decided the time. My first visit was in 1983 n my last visit was in 2000. I love France n I miss it so much.
I've visited the Côte d'Azur several times in late June and once in September. Late June was great, the weather was very summery, there was a wonderful buzz and happy vibe in the various towns along the coast but not overwhelmingly crowded (except perhaps Monaco, but don't let that put you off, it's a fascinating and beautiful place to visit even with crowds), it was easy to take day trips to les Îles de Lérins and find very quiet beaches, in short it is a beautiful time to visit. In September the weather was still beautiful and it was certainly less busy which is great if you want a more relaxed atmosphere and it made visiting a town like Saint-Tropez which can be a bit of a nightmare in the summer, so much easier and enjoyable - and that beautiful September late afternoon sunlight shining onto Saint-Tropez's pastel coloured buildings and beautiful blue sea is a beauty I will not easily forget.
I was in Paris for 8 weeks (September-October) in 2020. September was beautiful - a trifle warm for my taste, but lot of sunshine and warm evenings. October suddenly turned into gray and drizzly weather - just like Hamburg! 😆 I would like to back in April-May for my next trip - springtime in Paris!
Great video, I love your approach to the subject. I'm retired thus I have flexibility when I can go, I wish to visit Paris, but dislike massive crowds.
I just booked a hotel in Paris for February. The hotel is in the 3rd arrondissment and for 3 nights was under $300. I could wait until the warmer months, but I really want to do something big for my birthday and decided to take the plunge and just go to Paris.
Visited France at different years every month. Enjoy Paris during the months of November through March. Favorite times to visit Loire Valley are April, May, September, and October. Usually visit other areas of the world in June, July, and August Visited Paris and Loire Valley with mother, niece, and nephew a few years ago in July during a heat wave when temperatures topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Thrilled our hotel in Paris had air conditioning. Spent lots of time visiting wine cellars near Amboise until temperatures plummeted.
I have traveled to France several times and always, as you have suggested in April, May and June. I find that Spring starts earlier in France than it does in the north east of the US. I have also gone in Early October and that was delightful as well. Love your videos. The information is very helpful.
I went early November 2021 and it was perfect! But I’m glad you mentioned September that’s what I was thinking for my next time there, but I wasn’t sure. You helped me make up my mind Mercy beaucoup!
We went to Paris mid August for my birthday and whilst a lot of the restaurants were shut the parks and tourist attractions were quiet and a lot of people had left for the summer - which I liked. The worst was Loire valley mid July as everyone and their kids seemed to be there!
Great post Diane. My visit was in 2014, September 7-18. Hot! In Paris it was toasty and I was thankful for AC in our hotel. With hot flashes 😅I survived 😂. We could also open our windows. Time went too fast, hopefully will visit in ‘23!
We usually travel in September - mild weather & things are open & lots of tourists have left. This year we are coming twice…our September trip & then again in December for the magical Xmas experience is Alsace.
The lack of a/c is the worst! (Such a privilege here in the US, especially in Florida, that I always have a difficult time adjusting to overseas.) I loved this video and the tips given within! Great info!!
The problem is that the more air conditioning we use, the more greenhouse gases we produce and the more the atmosphere is warmed up and the hotter the heat, the more air conditioning we need. It's a vicious circle that absolutely must be stopped and that's why in France and in Europe, we try to use it as little as possible! It would be good for the planet and living things if Americans try to make an effort too. It's not a privilege, it's an abuse!
Summers also aren't that hot in France though. If there's +95°F or higher, then the air is dry, and isn't common anywhere except the south. And even in the South there are mild summer places, for example, high average in Nice in the hottest season is 83°F. Northern parts as Lille doesn't need AC at all, the peaks are mostly near 78°F. Now compare this to humid +95°F in Florida. I can't even imagine how hard is it to be outside in summer there. Speaking about my AC experience in Sothern France, it was decent in malls and public transport. Small businesses hasn't it, but situation overall was tolerable
I love air conditioning and I could live in my freezer! So this video is superb. I have a dear friend in Tarascon, near Avignon, so I will not be going in the summer! Thanks for this helpful set of questions!
Late spring early fall! I’m still traumatized by the heat wave of 2019 in June in paris with no ac. Was unusual but it happens more and more now. Dead of winter can be unpleasant too if you prefer outdoor activities sans snow.
We just visited Paris for our first trip to France and aside from one of us very getting sick (from relapse of a previous illness-not from anything in France) we loved it! We arrived in late May, visited family some of which we’d never met, and stayed in a small boutique hotel. We brought umbrellas and some rain gear, but it never rained. The weather was great and we sat outside a lot, but as an American it was hard to eat amongst so many smokers. I just watched your video on French doctors and wish I’d seen it before going because we even got to experience seeing a doctor, which was so different from the U.S. experience. Thanks for the great videos!
I visited Paris in mid August. The why I choose August is because I wanted to visit Paris before my birthday. I was in NY over the weekend and Paris isn't as expensive as NY.
I conned the wife into visiting Amiens in November of 2018, the centenary of the Armistice. Un voyage d'une vie! We participated in a local peace march, in a cold drizzle. We were asked if we were English - non, Etas Unis. They were pleased. Amiens [ was | is ] a great base city from which to explore.
I have been to France in summer and Oct/Nov and in the spring. When I was young we went to Nice. It was summer and we were in a little cheap hotel. We had a European on 25$ a Day book. It was fun. The next time I went with friends,to another friend’s cottage in the Dordogne. What a great trip. We were in the countryside, so we went out for the day, bought food and a three pack of wine and cooked our supper. A couple of years later, I was in Paris in the summer and then outside Bordeaux in a gitte with friends. Paris was hot but I had sensible clothes for the heat. Some of the restaurants were closed. It was fine. The Bordeaux are was lovely but hot and they had big mist dispensers in some of the squares. We did things early in the day and the gitte had a pool. Went with my friend on a girly trip in April. There was a warm spell. Cafes,museums and shops! The next time I went with my choir buddies (Oct) it was a bit cool and rainy but we had layers and bundled up to sit outside. Canadians can handle crap weather! Layer city! We had a wonderful trip and there were people who had never even been on a plane or left 🇨🇦! We stayed in the Latin Quarter near the Luxembourg Gardens. Really want to return after travel is easier. Every trip was special. Faves….in Paris: Musee D’Orsay, the Cluny, Galleries Lafayette. So many great little eateries! Can hardly wait to return. My French sucks but I can order a meal, and shop and carry on a basic conversation, if we all speak slowly.
I just found your channel and am so thankful! My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris in 2023 and I'm thinking we will do September (that's our anniversary month as well). We've never been and have no idea where to start so your channel is going to be a big help! Thank you!
My only trip to France was late December many years ago. It was wonderful. Temps were mostly in the 40's F. There were light showers from time to time, but no storms.
I went to mostly Normandy with 1 day I. Paris in October 2019 and it was great. Many of the popular sites like me Monet’s home and gardens were still crowded. I did get rained on though quite a bit. I was touring the d-day beaches on October 30th and it rained all day. Otherwise it was a great time to visit.
October can be quite rainy in Paris (even more in Normandie). Still Way better than the awfully depressing month of November, usually. Provence is a lot dryer except for some punctual violent rain falls in the fall season.
Hi Diane. I visited France in April, 2022. We spent most of our time on the Côte d'Azur and in Provence. The weather was nice, the airfare was significantly cheaper and it wasn't too crowded. I did a previous April trip to southern France and had the same experience of nice weather and lower costs. I've also been to France a couple times in May and would agree that for most of France it's a great combination of good weather, lower prices and less crowding. Airfares are a bit more expensive than in April but still much less costly than in the summer. The one problem with May is that with 3 national holidays there are 3 days with a lot of things closed. For the one trip I did in August, it was hot, expensive, and crowded. I don't plan to repeat that.
This is encouraging - we just bought flights for next April (we’ll be mostly in Normandy, so I know it will still be cooler). I was afraid it would be a bit too early, but it’s the only time my husband can get away. Thanks for your comments!
@@ruthiebeth1 Normandy in April can be quite cool and rainy. It won't be freezing but will usually be in the 50s (Fahrenheit). Any time you can go to France is a good time. As Diane suggested, bring layers and some rain gear.
Insightful comment, I’m planning to go to south of France côte d’azure and was planning either for the end of July or between mid/end of August to beginning September.
Thank you for your informative vlog. Just spent 4 days in Paris mid-May and temperatures were mid-80's. Loved the city and longer hours of daylight but not the humidity. Guessing this was unusual weather for May. Think I'd consider April or October next time.
This is such a helpful video. Thank You. Is June a good time weather wise to visit Paris and south of France - Nice, Provence etc or is too hot and rainy ?
I would add that it's better to travel between cities by train. It costs reasonable, is fast and reliable, and there's no struggle in traffic) I used train in South in August and was fully satsified. Also, busses are decent way to travel, they have dedicated lines in many places.
Diane, we enjoyed this content! Our fave times to visit are FALL and Early summer. Not fans of crowds, so that was a good point you made in the video. And as you also said, there is no bad time to visit. We also enjoyed the Christmas markets, although I hadn't seen my hubby all jacketed-up...it was cold. And this is from a former Michigan girl. As always, you are on point and glad you clued us all in on when to visit, especially focusing on the "what do you want to DO" portion. Thanks for this content. (And also, accommodation has 2 m's...guess even though retired, I still see typos. haha.) Have a great Memorial Day...even if it's not celebrated in the same way there in France. All the best from Hawaii.
Awesome video France. To visit France, like you said, you have to target what you want to do, visit big cities including Paris, or go see the mountains where maybe you can stop and visit Swiss too, or do the really coasts beachy summer vibes regions, maybe overlapping with seeing a little bit of Italy or Spain too... For the rest, it was all perfect, you feel like a natural, you have all the tricks now :) America totally doesn't have chassé-croisé like we have between Juilletistes ans Aoûtiens, I almost want to bring one US or Canadian friend at that time just for the fun of them seeing the chaos Lol. (your driving video was amazing, I am sure you have mastered it all and are all too familiar with Bizon Futé now).
DH and I have been to France ~ 20 times for 2 weeks each visit. We've not been since May 2019 and it's killing us. We'll be there this year in Nov....our favorite time for Paris. However, outdoor heating is France is no longer allowed so that is going to hamper outdoor dining (but good for the environment so I support it). Still, we'll bundle up and enjoy a coffee/hot chocolate. We even enjoy the drizzle and chill....and we take thermal underwear to be safe. Many things are closed in small villages and even major tourist sites like beaches of Normandy in winter so if you are spending time outside of large cities, Nov-Mar is not the best time to visit. The gardens at Versailles is a highlight but still beautiful in the fall and winter.
Best time to visit Côte d’Azure, I can either go end of July or towards the end of August and beginning of September. Don’t want to go middle of September since I heard it’s more common for rain in that area.. any advice helps !
I’m about to go to Paris in end of March/ start of April of 2023. Are there any things that I should know about? I’ve heard it’s cold that time of month and it might rain.
Diane, après l'été très difficile que nous venons de vivre en France (sécheresse, canicules, incendies...) et qui n'est pas terminé, l'automne que certains craignent à cause de possibles orages liés à la température anormalement élevée de la mer Méditerranée qui pourraient provoquer des inondations catastrophiques, il serait peut-être souhaitable que vous fassiez une petite mise à jour auprès de vos compatriotes étasuniens désireux de visiter la France pour leur expliquer les raisons de choses qu'ils ne trouveront pas en France et qu'ils ne semblent pas comprendre. Cette année semble illustrer malheureusement ce que l'on craignait ; le réchauffement climatique est à l’œuvre et il nous faut prendre des mesures contre. S'il y a si peu de climatisation en France, ce n'est pas temps que nous n'aimons pas ça (ce qui est aussi globalement vrai, mais avec les canicules qui se sont succédé, ce n'était pas une partie de plaisir de ne pas en être équipé) ou qu'on est sous-développés, c'est surtout parce que ça consomme beaucoup d’énergie et contribue trop au réchauffement climatique. Même chose pour les systèmes de chauffage des terrasses qui sont dorénavant interdit. Si tous les habitants de la planète utilisaient autant d'installations de confort que les Etasuniens, la planète deviendrait rapidement invivable. Il faut rappeler absolument ce fait : si toute l'humanité consommait autant que les Français, il faudrait 2,7 planètes pour assouvir ses besoins. Si toute l'humanité consommait comme les Indiens, moins d'une planète serait suffisante. Et si toute l'humanité consommait comme les étasuniens, il faudrait 5 planètes !
🗼✨THIRD time in Paris, this coming March. I'm from Miami, but I enjoy the colder weather, but not freezing. Will I absolutely need gloves, and layering? Thanks, DIANE!♥
1) Tu as oublié de parler du Nord (North). 2) Accepterais-tu de faire une vidéo où tu ferais la même chose en sens inverse, c'est-à-dire conseiller des endroits et périodes en particulier pour visiter les USA ?
I'm going to visit Paris in late June/early July and the only reason I'm going at this time is because of the Mylene Farmer concert. If it wasn't for that I'd be going in September
It is increasingly difficult to say with global warming. This year has been particularly exceptional since it has rained very little since the beginning of the year and France is experiencing one of its worst droughts in years. In addition, the heat wave period was early (from June with temperatures of 40°C) and repeated throughout the summer, resulting in catastrophic forest fires in places where there are generally none. With the abnormally high sea temperature (especially the Mediterranean) and very dry soils, forecasters fear heavy rainstorms in the fall with the risk of serious flooding, especially in the south. Global warming is no longer a distant threat, it has become a reality that we all see!
Salute! Am glad u mentioned this topic. I want to ask u about the air conditions in 5 star hotels in Paris. Is it true that even in 5 - star hotels the air conditions are not in a good condition!!!! Something along using some sort of air which is not even cool!!! Is this true?! Please. U see I come from Dubai, where the weather is just HOT and humid most of the time, and the ACs are super cold. Really cold which we love. How can I make sure about the acs in France in general? Merci bien.
Hi there, air conditioning is common at 5-star hotels and luxury properties, so no worries there. In regular homes and stores, though, it's not quite as common as it is in the US (definitely not kept as cool as say, Dubai). For specific info on temps, I'd call the front desk of the hotel you're interested in just to better understand how they do things in the summer if the temps are super important. That way you won't have any surprises. Thanks for watching ;-)
I will be I France from NYC volunteering Paris Games that why I am coming on July 27 for one week if you do not mind is there reasonable food I know the Olympics but me and best friend would like American food on budget thanks in advance
Thanks for the tips, curious though, we are planning to visit in April, spending 8-9 days in Paris and 4-5 days in Provence. I see that is the school holidays. Should we avoid the weeks that Paris schools are on vacation or the Provence schools?
Hi gorgeous! Will be attending my business school in Marseille from September' 2022. Before that planning to attend the Cannes Yacht Festival, why don't you join me? Would love to meet you and your hubby in person.
Bonjour Diane. We went to France in late August through mid-September, and with one exception it was great. We picked up a car and drove to Charost for a few days. The bed & breakfast was terrific and traveling was not bad, except for driving back to Paris on the the last Friday of the August vacation. (Yikes!) We then took a train to Normandy and had a wonderful 8 days, and then Paris for a week. No crowds anywhere, except around for the heavy police presence on Ile-de-France because of the trial of the 2015 terrorists and at Saint Germain des Pres' for Jean-Paul Belmondo. (These events and protest marches were more interesting than bothersome.) We are returning to Paris in 3 weeks, but will drive to the Loire Valley on June 30 for several days, then to Bordeaux for a week and then to Provence. I was excited about these plans but now I'm worried about being there in July. 🤯
Hi Roy! Just make sure you leave early when you hit the road and check traffic reports. It might be slow going at times but nothing you can't plan for. Have a great trip!
The average temp in Paris in July is 76F. I was there for 2 weeks once in July and it never was 76F. That is because it was either 85 and partly cloudy or 65 and raining. So the average was about 76.
I wish you can be more specific.. like I already know to travel I’m off season, but can u explain when exactly is “off season” You were kinda shallow on explanations
You can read the full blog post here but I said the best time IMHO is May/June or not again until September. Any time during those months is golden. The exact date is up to you. www.ouiinfrance.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-visit-paris-france
We visited France in October of 2021. We spent five nights and six days in Paris and five nights in the Dordogne Region for a Yoga and Wellness retreat at Chateau de Bardouly. The weather was great but we did need a light jacket or sweater in the evening. We did not experience long lines but the Louvre was filled with a crush of tourists as well as the Paris Opera House. We also visited Josephine Baker's Chateau des Milandes. We spent one night in Bordeaux and visited Bergerac as well as Saint-Vincent-de -Cosse. It was a great trip and we can't wait to visit again. Your channel help me to buckle down and improve my French and your book was extremely helpful.
Thank you.
Wow what a nice trip!! The yoga retreat sounds heavenly and looks like you got around and saw so much. So happy my content (and especially my eBook) is helpful ;-)))
Your video is a perfect summary! This is exactly what I would have recommended! Avoid school holidays if possible. End of May to end of June or beginning of September for sunny holidays. Early May or late September can also be suitable if you visit the south-east of France. Definitely, January or March are the best for skiing. In February it's way too expensive and it's crowded.
may is strikes season i would'nt recommend tourism just based on weather not with accomodations..😜
The link?
I’ve been to France many times - all over the country and at different times of the year. However - never in July or August. We like September the best. One thing to remember is that the weather can vary a lot from region to region. We went to Paris and Provence in April for our honeymoon. Paris was gray and freezing, Provence was warm and sunny (perfect spring weather). We were surprised how cold Paris was in April. One advantage of the September is that you can still enjoy the tail end of the great summer produce.
Yep, we have an old saying "En Avril, ne te découvre pas d'un fil." (In April, don't take off any cloth), which is often very appropriate for Paris and other continental climate regions.
in south of france September could be dangerous because of heavy rain.
We live in Phoenix, AZ and the hottest months here are July and August. We travel during those months to escape the heat. We are visiting the Normandy and Brittany areas for 6 weeks in July and August. I know this is a bad time to visit for crowds, but it's when we choose to travel. I'm hoping the weather in these areas will be nice and coolish. We travelled in Provence, in mid-June 2018, and we got to experience the mistral, hot temps and the cicadas. We had a great time, but would definitely do it again in September or October. Thank you for all your helpful information about France. I've been following you since our first trip to France.
My parents traveled to Europe almost every year and they always went in September and early October. They did go to Germany one year for the Christmas markets. In fact, my mom has already booked her trip to come and see me in SW France in September!
try May or June. Much more flowers, longer days, less tourists, less hot. And good prices!
We always visit France in late September / early October. As mentioned, weather tends to be nice, there are less crowds, and lodging is cheaper.
hey! sorry, i know you posted this a year ago but am currently doing some research as I am planning on visiting France for my first time in early October! Is there often much rain during this time? If yes, is it enough rain to deter you from going out and doing things? I'm planning on being in Paris, Nice and Lyon. Thanks!
@@alanahorsley3171 For Paris, I have find that there is some rain in early October, but not every day and not necessarily pouring rain. Of course, there is no guarantee, as a major storm could roll through. But so far when I’ve gone, there has been maybe a day or two of rain, and then the rest of our 10-day visit has been nice. Just bring an umbrella and dress in layers.
I haven’t been to Nice, but I have been to the Spanish Mediterranean coastline in October, and the weather was beautiful - sunny and warm but not too hot - so I’d imagine Nice will be similar. Lyon will likely be nice as well.
May and September are the months I have homed in on for travel to Europe in general.
Hi Diane....our French vacation happened nearly a decade ago now! We came from Canada to Arles and boarded a river cruise on the Saone from Arles to Lyons with lots of stops along the way. It was the last few days of August and the first few days of September. The weather was WONDERFUL, neither too hot nor too cold and only one intermittently rainy day the whole time. There was so much to see and do, but one thing I did miss and wish I could have seen was the blooming of the lavendar fields around Arles. We were too late in the year for that. :( I loved every minute of our cruise/tour experience and would return to France in a heartbeat if I could
I agree, May and September for me! Even Sept. is quite warm in SW France I might wait until October next time! LOL!
I love Lyon! I've spent June and December there for several years, especially love the Fetes des Lumieres in December. Yes, it's crowded and expensive but the city is lit with colorful exhibits and everyone walks around all evening. It's my absolutely favorite place in the world and I'm looking into moving there permanently in 2023!
Unless you're specifically looking for summer/winter activities, hands down the best months to travel to France are April or October. Businesses are still open, but weather is not extremely hot or cold (and, having lived 5+ years in France, I can say from personal experience that a summer "canicule" heat wave is brutal and to be avoided at all costs). The holiday season is definitely beautiful (especially in the east with their Christmas markets) but it's also very crowded.
End off October, early November good?
We did Paris in February and again in March - was was lovely. Stayed at St Christopher's Inn | Hostel in Paris Canal, hand to the subway system and very walk able to places
My birthday is Dec 24th and I love Winter, as well. All seasons are beautiful in France.
I agree with your recommendations - although it kind of pains me to let that information out 😉 I'm heading over on the 31st for most of June (1-29) to work on the house. I don't usually like to go that close to summer as I spend the last couple of days in Paris (COVID test). Also, I'm in Central France (Dept 86/ Vienne) so it does get warm and I don't have air. But, yes, the spring and fall are my usual and favorite times to visit. I've only been in July once and that was for my birthday, 14 July ( so nice of the country to give me a party😀).
Thank you for your videos - I absolutely love them and the topics you discuss💗
Mid September twice: Paris & chantilly were perfect, Avignon was warm and relaxing. You’re right on the children in school. We were able to book fun accommodations at reasonable prices,
Thanks for sharing!! Glad it was a nice trip!!
I have been to Paris in June and October back in the 80s for work, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Most recently was March in Brittany, we stayed in Vannes for just under 3 weeks and explored all over Brittany.
Brittany is the most beautiful whatever the wheither 😁
I was in France during September & November. In Normandy, based in Rouen. Other than one Saturday in Paris when it rained all afternoon, couldn't have asked for better weather. Even went to Deauville & Honfluer in the beginning of November and it was lovely.
@dark wizard Cool, you will need a jacket/light coat/windbreaker; or perhaps a lined trench coat and a windbreaker. Expect gray days and at least on shower in the afternoon.
Diane, you're like me! I was born around Christmas time and I LOVE winter, cold weather, and snow! I thought I was weird too but no!
My husband and I were in Nice in April . We fell in love with it . We are leaving Texas hopefully in 2 years to settle there . Very scared but excited . Our biggest thing is making friends and hoping that Nice will be fit what want long term . Any tips would be great ! Love your videos
I had the chance to visit France 5 times but all were on duty or training n every time I travelled to France was always in August/September but as it was on duty, the company decided the time. My first visit was in 1983 n my last visit was in 2000. I love France n I miss it so much.
look for a nice house en Luberon. And learn french!
I've visited the Côte d'Azur several times in late June and once in September. Late June was great, the weather was very summery, there was a wonderful buzz and happy vibe in the various towns along the coast but not overwhelmingly crowded (except perhaps Monaco, but don't let that put you off, it's a fascinating and beautiful place to visit even with crowds), it was easy to take day trips to les Îles de Lérins and find very quiet beaches, in short it is a beautiful time to visit. In September the weather was still beautiful and it was certainly less busy which is great if you want a more relaxed atmosphere and it made visiting a town like Saint-Tropez which can be a bit of a nightmare in the summer, so much easier and enjoyable - and that beautiful September late afternoon sunlight shining onto Saint-Tropez's pastel coloured buildings and beautiful blue sea is a beauty I will not easily forget.
I was in Paris for 8 weeks (September-October) in 2020. September was beautiful - a trifle warm for my taste, but lot of sunshine and warm evenings. October suddenly turned into gray and drizzly weather - just like Hamburg! 😆 I would like to back in April-May for my next trip - springtime in Paris!
Great video, I love your approach to the subject. I'm retired thus I have flexibility when I can go, I wish to visit Paris, but dislike massive crowds.
I just booked a hotel in Paris for February. The hotel is in the 3rd arrondissment and for 3 nights was under $300. I could wait until the warmer months, but I really want to do something big for my birthday and decided to take the plunge and just go to Paris.
How was it in February?
How was it ?
Visited France at different years every month. Enjoy Paris during the months of November through March. Favorite times to visit Loire Valley are April, May, September, and October. Usually visit other areas of the world in June, July, and August
Visited Paris and Loire Valley with mother, niece, and nephew a few years ago in July during a heat wave when temperatures topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Thrilled our hotel in Paris had air conditioning. Spent lots of time visiting wine cellars near Amboise until temperatures plummeted.
I have traveled to France several times and always, as you have suggested in April, May and June. I find that Spring starts earlier in France than it does in the north east of the US. I have also gone in Early October and that was delightful as well. Love your videos. The information is very helpful.
So happy to hear that, Max! Thank you
i prefer winter too! i'll hit the christmas markets eventually when i do a river cruise! i plan on coming to paris in late february/early march.
I went early November 2021 and it was perfect! But I’m glad you mentioned September that’s what I was thinking for my next time there, but I wasn’t sure. You helped me make up my mind Mercy beaucoup!
We went to Paris mid August for my birthday and whilst a lot of the restaurants were shut the parks and tourist attractions were quiet and a lot of people had left for the summer - which I liked. The worst was Loire valley mid July as everyone and their kids seemed to be there!
Great post Diane. My visit was in 2014, September 7-18. Hot! In Paris it was toasty and I was thankful for AC in our hotel. With hot flashes 😅I survived 😂. We could also open our windows. Time went too fast, hopefully will visit in ‘23!
We usually travel in September - mild weather & things are open & lots of tourists have left. This year we are coming twice…our September trip & then again in December for the magical Xmas experience is Alsace.
The lack of a/c is the worst! (Such a privilege here in the US, especially in Florida, that I always have a difficult time adjusting to overseas.) I loved this video and the tips given within! Great info!!
The problem is that the more air conditioning we use, the more greenhouse gases we produce and the more the atmosphere is warmed up and the hotter the heat, the more air conditioning we need. It's a vicious circle that absolutely must be stopped and that's why in France and in Europe, we try to use it as little as possible!
It would be good for the planet and living things if Americans try to make an effort too. It's not a privilege, it's an abuse!
Summers also aren't that hot in France though. If there's +95°F or higher, then the air is dry, and isn't common anywhere except the south. And even in the South there are mild summer places, for example, high average in Nice in the hottest season is 83°F. Northern parts as Lille doesn't need AC at all, the peaks are mostly near 78°F.
Now compare this to humid +95°F in Florida. I can't even imagine how hard is it to be outside in summer there.
Speaking about my AC experience in Sothern France, it was decent in malls and public transport. Small businesses hasn't it, but situation overall was tolerable
we are going in December 2022 after our visit to Mykonos!! SOOO EXCITED!!
I love air conditioning and I could live in my freezer! So this video is superb. I have a dear friend in Tarascon, near Avignon, so I will not be going in the summer! Thanks for this helpful set of questions!
Last two times that I have been in Paris is on spring break(March 14 to March 18) and it has been perfect.
Was it too cold or rainy in March?
@Franklin Acosta Not to cold, a light jacket will do. And bring your umbrella, just in case you need it.
Late spring early fall! I’m still traumatized by the heat wave of 2019 in June in paris with no ac. Was unusual but it happens more and more now. Dead of winter can be unpleasant too if you prefer outdoor activities sans snow.
We just visited Paris for our first trip to France and aside from one of us very getting sick (from relapse of a previous illness-not from anything in France) we loved it! We arrived in late May, visited family some of which we’d never met, and stayed in a small boutique hotel. We brought umbrellas and some rain gear, but it never rained. The weather was great and we sat outside a lot, but as an American it was hard to eat amongst so many smokers. I just watched your video on French doctors and wish I’d seen it before going because we even got to experience seeing a doctor, which was so different from the U.S. experience. Thanks for the great videos!
I was just there! From end of Aptil to May 11th .. the weather was PERFECT ! Much better than end of year 2019 !! BRRRR.
March in Brittany was wonderful.
I visited Paris in mid August. The why I choose August is because I wanted to visit Paris before my birthday. I was in NY over the weekend and Paris isn't as expensive as NY.
Paris is also cheaper than London ;)
I conned the wife into visiting Amiens in November of 2018, the centenary of the Armistice. Un voyage d'une vie! We participated in a local peace march, in a cold drizzle. We were asked if we were English - non, Etas Unis. They were pleased. Amiens [ was | is ] a great base city from which to explore.
September to October
I have been to France in summer and Oct/Nov and in the spring. When I was young we went to Nice. It was summer and we were in a little cheap hotel. We had a European on 25$ a Day book. It was fun. The next time I went with friends,to another friend’s cottage in the Dordogne. What a great trip. We were in the countryside, so we went out for the day, bought food and a three pack of wine and cooked our supper. A couple of years later, I was in Paris in the summer and then outside Bordeaux in a gitte with friends. Paris was hot but I had sensible clothes for the heat. Some of the restaurants were closed. It was fine. The Bordeaux are was lovely but hot and they had big mist dispensers in some of the squares. We did things early in the day and the gitte had a pool. Went with my friend on a girly trip in April. There was a warm spell. Cafes,museums and shops! The next time I went with my choir buddies (Oct) it was a bit cool and rainy but we had layers and bundled up to sit outside. Canadians can handle crap weather! Layer city! We had a wonderful trip and there were people who had never even been on a plane or left 🇨🇦! We stayed in the Latin Quarter near the Luxembourg Gardens. Really want to return after travel is easier. Every trip was special. Faves….in Paris: Musee D’Orsay, the Cluny, Galleries Lafayette. So many great little eateries! Can hardly wait to return. My French sucks but I can order a meal, and shop and carry on a basic conversation, if we all speak slowly.
I just found your channel and am so thankful! My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris in 2023 and I'm thinking we will do September (that's our anniversary month as well). We've never been and have no idea where to start so your channel is going to be a big help! Thank you!
Welcome, so glad my content has been helpful!
My only trip to France was late December many years ago. It was wonderful. Temps were mostly in the 40's F. There were light showers from time to time, but no storms.
I went to mostly Normandy with 1 day I. Paris in October 2019 and it was great. Many of the popular sites like me Monet’s home and gardens were still crowded. I did get rained on though quite a bit. I was touring the d-day beaches on October 30th and it rained all day. Otherwise it was a great time to visit.
October can be quite rainy in Paris (even more in Normandie). Still Way better than the awfully depressing month of November, usually. Provence is a lot dryer except for some punctual violent rain falls in the fall season.
Hi Diane. I visited France in April, 2022. We spent most of our time on the Côte d'Azur and in Provence. The weather was nice, the airfare was significantly cheaper and it wasn't too crowded. I did a previous April trip to southern France and had the same experience of nice weather and lower costs. I've also been to France a couple times in May and would agree that for most of France it's a great combination of good weather, lower prices and less crowding. Airfares are a bit more expensive than in April but still much less costly than in the summer. The one problem with May is that with 3 national holidays there are 3 days with a lot of things closed. For the one trip I did in August, it was hot, expensive, and crowded. I don't plan to repeat that.
This is encouraging - we just bought flights for next April (we’ll be mostly in Normandy, so I know it will still be cooler). I was afraid it would be a bit too early, but it’s the only time my husband can get away. Thanks for your comments!
@@ruthiebeth1 Normandy in April can be quite cool and rainy. It won't be freezing but will usually be in the 50s (Fahrenheit). Any time you can go to France is a good time. As Diane suggested, bring layers and some rain gear.
Insightful comment, I’m planning to go to south of France côte d’azure and was planning either for the end of July or between mid/end of August to beginning September.
@@RealEstateByAlly That's a very crowded time, especially August, but if it's the only time you can go, have fun.
Thank you for your informative vlog. Just spent 4 days in Paris mid-May and temperatures were mid-80's. Loved the city and longer hours of daylight but not the humidity. Guessing this was unusual weather for May. Think I'd consider April or October next time.
Definitely a bit of a heatwave!
Yeeeiiiii finally someone like me…love winter ❄️
This is such a helpful video. Thank You. Is June a good time weather wise to visit Paris and south of France - Nice, Provence etc or is too hot and rainy ?
I would add that it's better to travel between cities by train. It costs reasonable, is fast and reliable, and there's no struggle in traffic) I used train in South in August and was fully satsified. Also, busses are decent way to travel, they have dedicated lines in many places.
Thank you for your great advice , appreciate you so much 😊 ❤️ sending you sunshine 🌞 from Florida
👋 everithing is wright but Don't forget that during summer there is animations, outdoor markets day and night and so on.
This kind of video deserves way more thumbs up !!!
(as does your videos in general)
Merci ;-)))
Diane, we enjoyed this content! Our fave times to visit are FALL and Early summer. Not fans of crowds, so that was a good point you made in the video. And as you also said, there is no bad time to visit. We also enjoyed the Christmas markets, although I hadn't seen my hubby all jacketed-up...it was cold. And this is from a former Michigan girl. As always, you are on point and glad you clued us all in on when to visit, especially focusing on the "what do you want to DO" portion.
Thanks for this content. (And also, accommodation has 2 m's...guess even though retired, I still see typos. haha.) Have a great Memorial Day...even if it's not celebrated in the same way there in France. All the best from Hawaii.
I have visit France and Paris in March, April and August. Just great every time.
So glad to hear it! There really is no "bad" time to visit!
Was March too cold or rainy?
Awesome video France. To visit France, like you said, you have to target what you want to do, visit big cities including Paris, or go see the mountains where maybe you can stop and visit Swiss too, or do the really coasts beachy summer vibes regions, maybe overlapping with seeing a little bit of Italy or Spain too...
For the rest, it was all perfect, you feel like a natural, you have all the tricks now :)
America totally doesn't have chassé-croisé like we have between Juilletistes ans Aoûtiens, I almost want to bring one US or Canadian friend at that time just for the fun of them seeing the chaos Lol. (your driving video was amazing, I am sure you have mastered it all and are all too familiar with Bizon Futé now).
Gee I watched this a while back and forgot to thumbs up and comment lol. ❤️💐👍
My first time in France was early August and 2nd time was late August early September both times were pleasant
DH and I have been to France ~ 20 times for 2 weeks each visit. We've not been since May 2019 and it's killing us. We'll be there this year in Nov....our favorite time for Paris. However, outdoor heating is France is no longer allowed so that is going to hamper outdoor dining (but good for the environment so I support it). Still, we'll bundle up and enjoy a coffee/hot chocolate. We even enjoy the drizzle and chill....and we take thermal underwear to be safe.
Many things are closed in small villages and even major tourist sites like beaches of Normandy in winter so if you are spending time outside of large cities, Nov-Mar is not the best time to visit. The gardens at Versailles is a highlight but still beautiful in the fall and winter.
Wow, 20 times!!! I hope you get to make your 21st trip soon! Thanks for watching.
Unrelated, sort of, but the coldest JULY I ever experienced was in San Francisco! 🤣
Best time to visit Côte d’Azure, I can either go end of July or towards the end of August and beginning of September. Don’t want to go middle of September since I heard it’s more common for rain in that area.. any advice helps !
Thank you Dianne!!
You're welcome!
I’m about to go to Paris in end of March/ start of April of 2023. Are there any things that I should know about? I’ve heard it’s cold that time of month and it might rain.
I wanna visit Paris in the end of March too❤️ I hope the weather will be good... ☀️
I’ll be visiting that time , too! I really hope the weather will be good.
I'm planning to visit France in 2023 So I found this very helpful. Thanks, Diane!
Diane, après l'été très difficile que nous venons de vivre en France (sécheresse, canicules, incendies...) et qui n'est pas terminé, l'automne que certains craignent à cause de possibles orages liés à la température anormalement élevée de la mer Méditerranée qui pourraient provoquer des inondations catastrophiques, il serait peut-être souhaitable que vous fassiez une petite mise à jour auprès de vos compatriotes étasuniens désireux de visiter la France pour leur expliquer les raisons de choses qu'ils ne trouveront pas en France et qu'ils ne semblent pas comprendre.
Cette année semble illustrer malheureusement ce que l'on craignait ; le réchauffement climatique est à l’œuvre et il nous faut prendre des mesures contre. S'il y a si peu de climatisation en France, ce n'est pas temps que nous n'aimons pas ça (ce qui est aussi globalement vrai, mais avec les canicules qui se sont succédé, ce n'était pas une partie de plaisir de ne pas en être équipé) ou qu'on est sous-développés, c'est surtout parce que ça consomme beaucoup d’énergie et contribue trop au réchauffement climatique. Même chose pour les systèmes de chauffage des terrasses qui sont dorénavant interdit.
Si tous les habitants de la planète utilisaient autant d'installations de confort que les Etasuniens, la planète deviendrait rapidement invivable. Il faut rappeler absolument ce fait : si toute l'humanité consommait autant que les Français, il faudrait 2,7 planètes pour assouvir ses besoins. Si toute l'humanité consommait comme les Indiens, moins d'une planète serait suffisante. Et si toute l'humanité consommait comme les étasuniens, il faudrait 5 planètes !
🗼✨THIRD time in Paris, this coming March. I'm from Miami, but I enjoy the colder weather, but not freezing. Will I absolutely need gloves, and layering? Thanks, DIANE!♥
Yes, bundle up for sure!
♥ Merci bien! @@OuiInFrance
what do you think about visting paris during fashion week on september?will my vacation will be inturrpted by crowds/full hotels and restaurants?
1) Tu as oublié de parler du Nord (North).
2) Accepterais-tu de faire une vidéo où tu ferais la même chose en sens inverse, c'est-à-dire conseiller des endroits et périodes en particulier pour visiter les USA ?
I always seem to be going in April/May
Is it too cold or rainy in May?
Excellent!
Your content is perfect tres bien
I'm going to visit Paris in late June/early July and the only reason I'm going at this time is because of the Mylene Farmer concert. If it wasn't for that I'd be going in September
I have been to Paris several times during the month of May and what I remember most is lots of rain and metro strikes. 🙁
en tout cas , vous n'étiez à Paris pas en mai 2022 ???
Yes, the rain is a surprise people don't expect! Good thing there are lots of fabulous museums. ;-)
@@ybreton6593 Cette annee, en avril.
i was in antibes near nice and then paris in the second week of may this year and the weather was just beautiful.
Nice to meet you
Going to Paris end of March. How’s the weather?
How is weather in late September and early October. Thats when I am planning to visit.
It is increasingly difficult to say with global warming. This year has been particularly exceptional since it has rained very little since the beginning of the year and France is experiencing one of its worst droughts in years. In addition, the heat wave period was early (from June with temperatures of 40°C) and repeated throughout the summer, resulting in catastrophic forest fires in places where there are generally none.
With the abnormally high sea temperature (especially the Mediterranean) and very dry soils, forecasters fear heavy rainstorms in the fall with the risk of serious flooding, especially in the south.
Global warming is no longer a distant threat, it has become a reality that we all see!
Salute! Am glad u mentioned this topic. I want to ask u about the air conditions in 5 star hotels in Paris. Is it true that even in 5 - star hotels the air conditions are not in a good condition!!!! Something along using some sort of air which is not even cool!!! Is this true?! Please. U see I come from Dubai, where the weather is just HOT and humid most of the time, and the ACs are super cold. Really cold which we love. How can I make sure about the acs in France in general? Merci bien.
Hi there, air conditioning is common at 5-star hotels and luxury properties, so no worries there. In regular homes and stores, though, it's not quite as common as it is in the US (definitely not kept as cool as say, Dubai).
For specific info on temps, I'd call the front desk of the hotel you're interested in just to better understand how they do things in the summer if the temps are super important. That way you won't have any surprises. Thanks for watching ;-)
Oooops! I commented before watching the video. Sorry. But still am wishing for a response.
I think it is worth noting, that France is not as hot as Dubai, therefore, if there is AC, it won't be as cold as it is not needed.
I will be I France from NYC volunteering Paris Games that why I am coming on July 27 for one week if you do not mind is there reasonable food I know the Olympics but me and best friend would like American food on budget thanks in advance
Thanks for the tips, curious though, we are planning to visit in April, spending 8-9 days in Paris and 4-5 days in Provence. I see that is the school holidays. Should we avoid the weeks that Paris schools are on vacation or the Provence schools?
Hi gorgeous! Will be attending my business school in Marseille from September' 2022. Before that planning to attend the Cannes Yacht Festival, why don't you join me? Would love to meet you and your hubby in person.
Bonjour Diane. We went to France in late August through mid-September, and with one exception it was great. We picked up a car and drove to Charost for a few days. The bed & breakfast was terrific and traveling was not bad, except for driving back to Paris on the the last Friday of the August vacation. (Yikes!) We then took a train to Normandy and had a wonderful 8 days, and then Paris for a week. No crowds anywhere, except around for the heavy police presence on Ile-de-France because of the trial of the 2015 terrorists and at Saint Germain des Pres' for Jean-Paul Belmondo. (These events and protest marches were more interesting than bothersome.) We are returning to Paris in 3 weeks, but will drive to the Loire Valley on June 30 for several days, then to Bordeaux for a week and then to Provence. I was excited about these plans but now I'm worried about being there in July. 🤯
Hi Roy! Just make sure you leave early when you hit the road and check traffic reports. It might be slow going at times but nothing you can't plan for. Have a great trip!
What abut in April ?? Please someone reply me ??
How about for the months of Nov to Dec? Is it a good time to travel to France?
May I know where should I visit during mid November? Thank you
Me: Love to go to places off the beaten path on travel.
Toastmasters International: Let's have our international convention in August.
😕
Planning and end of October, I am from South Africa. Is this a good idea?
We want to go in paris on January is it good time ?
Why do you say not November?
Southwest and West weather don't have anything on common though
How about late october early November?, is it a good time to visit France?
Day will be shortened so night will come about 6pm. Temperature would be between 8-15 c degree Celsius depending if north or south
👍
The average temp in Paris in July is 76F. I was there for 2 weeks once in July and it never was 76F. That is because it was either 85 and partly cloudy or 65 and raining. So the average was about 76.
I wish you can be more specific.. like I already know to travel I’m off season, but can u explain when exactly is “off season”
You were kinda shallow on explanations
You can read the full blog post here but I said the best time IMHO is May/June or not again until September. Any time during those months is golden. The exact date is up to you.
www.ouiinfrance.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-visit-paris-france
France looks beautiful, but I still prefer the Middle East. It has a lot more culture, kick and life.
When the immigrants aren't rioting !! That's the best time to visit Paris!
How are the covid restrictions in france as of June?
Much fewer restrictions than last year this time. No masks required at the supermarket or anything (just medical offices, etc.).
Can we just use the metric system fahrenheit never heard of her...
How is November?
Usually rainy and annoying but some people love autumn colours in forest
Can a US visitor open a bank account in France?
Best times to visit Paris March and April. Avoid summer at all cost.