Or is summer the best time to visit France? Many of the holiday resorts close up but larger centres such as Nice or Monte Carlo still show plenty of life and, most importantly, the region gets 330 days of sunshine a year. You can still find sunshineĭid you know the South of France was originally a winter resort? Today it’s known as a summer destination, but French Riviera cities like Nice first became popular with upper crust Brits in the late 1700s when it’s mild winter climate was touted as a health destination. When it’s miserable outside, however, pondering the French Revolution while standing in front of Delaxcroix’s epic painting Liberty Leading the People at the Louvre or learning about the Norman conquest while seeing the Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy seems all that much more riveting. It can be hard to focus on a museum when the sun is shining outside and outdoor cafés are calling. Have a look at the Loire chateaux in December: Their lavish floral displays, blazing lights and festive decor bring a cozy warmth to those stone palace walls. Not to be outdone by Paris, the grand Loire Valley chateaux at Christmas like to dress up, too. From the spectacular window displays of Galleries Lafayette to the twinkling Christmas trees on the Place Vendôme and the Champs Elysées, Paris at Christmas is the City of Lights times ten. Sparkling lights and Christmas decorations drape the city like a Dior gown. Okay, there are also sales in July, so that might even out the summer vs winter debate, but it’s still a good reason to travel. This is the time to get that Chloe jacket you’ve been eyeing since September. (That’s the logic of my brain so let’s just go with it.) January is when the government-controlled sales, the soldes, start. The winter salesĪnother way to save money by travelling to France is to spend. Granted, hotels that appeal to business travellers can still be high priced, but at least you don’t have to compete with as many tourists for the deals. Airfares can be significantly less and hotels are more affordable – and affordable luxury is my favourite season of all. November is one of my favourite times to head to Europe. And speaking of oysters, Christmas and New Year’s are the time to eat them in France. With the exception of school holidays, you’ll find that France in the off season is your oyster when it comes to seeing its top sights. Some towns get positively deserted ( hello, St-Jean-du-Gard). When the weather gets damp and cold, the crowds fade away – at least to a certain degree.
France has a huge variety of slopes and ski villages – the largest selection in Europe – and the high-adrenalin thrill of skiing and snowboarding makes winter one of the best times to visit France. Of course if you want to ski in France there is also the family-oriented Club Med at Peisey Vallandry or the expert slopes of Val d’Isère. Or perhaps you prefer the glitzy après ski vibe of Méribel. Picture yourself in a Henri Duvillard ski jacket, powder flying as you whip down the slopes of Courchevel. Is winter the best time to go to France? Skiing and snowboarding To help you plan your trip, here are some things to consider when travelling to France, summer vs winter. When is the best time to visit France? Put it this way: You’ll find champagne year round and the Eiffel Tower is open in all four seasons, but your experience will change dramatically depending on when you go.
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