A non-LCPDFR topic; but one for those whom live or have vacationed in France (Europe in general) and are familiar with Paris.  I know I can get a straight answer out of you guys here at LCPDFR.  

 

My wife and I are booking a 3-week trip to France, starting in Paris (staying at the Four seasons) and heading to Normandy, possibly Belgium (OK...I want Belgium...she wants Monaco...) and maybe Germany (Berchtesgaden), if time permits.

 

I guess my main question is when is the best time; September or October?  We'd like to be able to get into the Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, etc...you know, touristy stuff, but without the throngs of vacationers.  We hope to go kind of in the off season where the lines aren't long, yet it isn't snowy and very cold.

 

Any other tips for a over seas newbie in general, and in particular any advice when in France would be welcomed.  

 

P.S; my wife is learning French, so we both will not look like total buffoons.  

 

Thanks in advance,

 

DrDetroit

There's a few things you really don't want to miss in Paris.

 

I think my favourite thing about going there, and I've been there 3 or 4 times, is the food!  Paris is unique in that it has so many different cafes and restaurants to choose from and the Parisian cuisine really is a contender for the best in the world.  I remember there being some brilliant creperies in Montparnasse which have to be tried.  Speaking of Montparnasse, it has the Montparnasse Tower which in my opinion gives you by far the best view of the city.  Not nearly as cluttered/swamped with tourists as the Eiffel Tower, you can get right up onto the roof-top observation deck which literally is on the roof of the building.  Indeed, many of the locals consider it to be the best view in Paris precisely because its the only place where the Montparnasse Tower itself isn't visible (and depending on your taste, you might consider it quite the eyesore being a huge rectangular block of black glass in a city otherwise inhabited by historic buildings).

 

The busiest time by far in Paris is Bastille Day on the 14th of July.  I think if you go after mid August, you'll be fine.  The French and particularly the Parisians do enjoy their holidays though, and if you go in August you might find that lots of the Parisians are on holiday themselves.  This might work in your favour if you don't want to be crushed on the Metro or squashed in a line for the Eiffel Tower.  Also, up until late August, there's the Paris Plage which is a big event that runs along the banks of the River Seine with palm trees, artificial beaches, swimming pools and plenty of places to get a nice, cold, overpriced drink.  The Seine itself is well worth a visit too.  There's plenty of boat tours of it and some good views to be had.

 

Also you should really avoid buying things in the really touristy parts like Champs de Mars and such, you'll find that a lot of the time the tourist stuff like sunglasses, suncream, drinks, food, will be heavily overpriced or not priced at all (at which point they charge you tourist price at the till).  You really don't want to pay tourist price in Paris.

 

On the topic of Europe though, if you've never been before, no visit is complete without a visit to the UK in my opinion.  Both Edinburgh and London are fantastic cities.

Great info Sam, thanks for the input and advice and taking the time.  Maybe we'll head to the UK instead of Belgium/German/Monaco, sounds like a good idea.

 

Good day!

 

DrDetroit