When to travel in France?
Summer is the busiest season with holidaying Europeans so it may not be the best time to visit if you want a quiet holiday. However during off-season periods many hotels and restaurants and other tourist services can close down, although prices are generally lower for what is open. Generally the best time to visit is from April to June and September to October when weather is good, prices are lower and there are less tourists.
Generally spring is the best time to visit France although relapses from the winter are not unknown. Autumn is also a pleasant time. If winter sports are your thing winter in the Alps and Pyrenees are great. Christmas, New Year and February/March school holidays are expensive times here. Paris has a wet winter but stages all sorts of cultural shows.
Where to travel in France?
Here are some itinerary suggestions:
1-3 days
If you only have a few days in France we suggest you base your time around Paris seeing the major sites like the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Couer, Notre Dame, Champs Elysses.
1 week
With a bit more time you could visit Versailles and Chatres just outside Paris. You could also visit a nearby area for example the Lorie Valley with its excellent chateaus and wine, Champagne, Alsace or Normandy.
2 weeks
As above plus an area in the west or south such as Brittany, the Alps or Provence.
3 weeks
With more time up your sleeve you could include a visit to Toulousse and the French Riviera as well with a stop in Cannes or Nice.
4 weeks
A month long foray to France will allow you to comfortably visit many places. Include the above and some wine tasting in Bordeaux and a visit to the French Alps.
