Hi

We had a trip to the south of France arranged in July but unfortunately had to postpone it.

We are now considering going the last week of October/first week of November. What sort of weather can we expect? We're not expecting to be able to sunbathe but will it be okay for sightseeing/drives in the mountains etc. We would be based in Castellane (in the hills north of Nice).

Many thanks
Christine

October is one of these months where weather and surprise go well together... In the south of France, and more specifically in Nice and its area, it may still be quite mild. A lot of people still enjoy the beach to some extent. If you want to go swimming, choose rather Villefranche sur mer where the bay offers less exposed waters which remain milder in temperatures than in Nice itself for instance. In Castellane, you should enjoy sunny days and the colors of fall around you. Be prepared for some rain though, it can happen, and when it does in this area the rain is usually quite sudden and heavy and the showers do not last long so you should be able to enjoy sightseeing anyway.

We were in Nice and Luberon area in the first two weeks in October. A few of the mornings were cool and crisp. They days were nice Fall days mostly sunny. I would prepare for temps between 50-70 with cool evenings. We found it helpful to have a variety of layers including a warm jacket. There may be the occasional rainstorm. We did also have one day of strong winds but sunny. I don't remember it being really cool that day just strong winds.

You might also check the Weather Underground which has historical information for different sites worldwide. They have information for Nice and Grasse although I did not find any specific information for the area around Castellane.

I have been in Paris and Provence the first two weeks of October and had very good weather in both locales. I will be going to Paris and surrounding areas the first two weeks of November this year. I have never been there before in November. I'm hoping for the best!... Does anyone have any thoughts about Paris in early November?!

Kathleen

Normally, the winter rains start at La Toussaint, Nov. 1, in the north of France, which includes Paris. But the weather is notoriously unpredictable.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that it won't be too cold (I'm used to California weather!!) or too rainy in early November!!... I'm sure I will have fun anyway, especially since I will be visiting my French friends. And Paris is Paris, no matter what the weather is!!

Kathleen

My fingers are crossed for you too as regards late October/early November weather. For the past three or four months, the weather here in the Loire Valley has been just beautiful, with very few rainy days. Let's hope that kind of weather continues into late November. And I agree with you -- Paris is great even when the weather is damp and chilly.

Hi,

I was reading your post with interest because I will also be travelling to France (Paris & Provence) in mid-October. I am currently in Italy where the days are sunny and warm but the evenings are cooler. I am hoping that Fall in France will be nice and sunny even though it will be cooler in the evenings.

I am travelling solo and looking to stay in a quaint and nice B&B or hotel close to everything but affordable. With my travels through Italy, I have been very lucky/fortunate, to pay less than 60 Euros for B&B's and they have been in some really nice places. This also includes breakfast. I mention that I am travelling solo and they offer me a db. room for single use only so most of my accommodations have been from 35 to 60 Euros. I know that France might cost a little more but I don't want to pay over 80 Euros, if I don't have to. Can anyone recommend any nice places to me? Also, do you think getting a small apt. or suite might be better? I was planning on staying in Paris at least 4-5 nights. Is this too much time? I had one person tell me that this is too long but it's Paris and I want to indulge a little.

Thanks.

You might want to look at the postings for apartments that are listed on the site. You will also find recommendations for hotels.

No way is 4-5 nights too much for Paris. You could stay for a month and more and not see or do everything. A few days will enable you to see just the major sites but really not get more than a taste of Paris.

4-5 nights is definitely not too long. Our site focuses on Slow Travel which is much more than just staying in an apartment. There is so much to do in Paris, I could see staying a month.

You will have to do a bit of searching to find an apartment available at short notice for the price you are looking. Here is a link to our reviews for rentals in Paris. We also have reviews for hotels and B&Bs. I prefer rentals because I can cook in and that helps to keep the costs down.

Recently another member asked about last minute accomodations and got a reply for a site that specializes in last minute specials. You might want to check the last minute link to see if there are hotels or B&B that fit your price range.

Marta,

We'll be in Paris for 2 1/2 weeks around Christmas and New Years. We've spent two single weeks in Paris before.

Although we're having some trouble limiting how much we want to do in that time, do you have any suggestions for activities/visits we might not otherwise think of?

In the past, we've walked a lot, just because seeing the City in different ways is so enjoyable. Perhaps in cool, damp December, might that not be a good plan?

Jon,
We have been in Paris twice around the Christmas season. It is a wonderful time to visit. A photo album from our most recent trip is here. A trip report with a link to an album for the previous trip is here.

- Roz

Roz's trip reports are definitely a great resource for visiting Paris and France in December. I don't have any specific additional items to suggestion that are off season highlights.

I have had a goal to work on an article for Slow Travel that has ideas on lesser known sites recommended by our board members. My draft is still in the very rough stage but I do have several good threads that I was using. You might want to look these over for ideas. They may also give you more trouble limiting what to see.

If you had 5 days in Paris ...
Walkabout Paris
Museums off the beaten path
Top 10 Things to see in Paris in January
Paris for the first time led by a several-timer
Most unique/interesting/hidden gems of Paris

1. Weather happens.
2. November is, however you look at it, the start of winter, as Ken pointed out.
3. Seasons have their place. Paris definitely has a special beauty in winter. However lovely a summer stroll along the Seine, you don't see the sideview of a crystalline Notre Dame de Paris in winter.
4. Embrace the temperature! If the cold gets to you, get a nice winter coat in Paris, and once home you will be literally wearing your souvenir…

Kathleen,
I live in Texas so I understand your "ahem" aversion to cold weather. I was in Paris last year late Oct.into November. We experienced a couple of wet, cold days, some dry cold days and a few temperate sunny days. How's that for variety?
I did layer my clothing and took a pair of silk thermal underwear...I am simply not used to the "wet" cold that seems to go to the bones...most Texans are probably hardier than I!!!
As you say,"Paris is Paris no matter what the weather is." Wishing you a wonderful visit.

Oh Roz,
I read your your trip report on your "previous" trip to Paris and I love how you and your husband "decided" to go to Paris over the Christmas holiday.Something about that touched me...maybe just the hope that one day when DH&I get our kids graduated we too might just be able to do the same thing...just the two of us! You and your husband make a lovely couple. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Abbygirlsouth! I lived in San Antonio, TX for several years, too!! So between TX and CA, I'm definitely used to warm weather!! I plan to bring layers of clothing, as you suggested and as I did before on a March visit to Paris. I will keep my hopes up for weather that is not too cold or rainy in November. But whatever the weather is, I love Paris and I love being with my friends in Paris. So it will be wonderful no matter what the weather is!!

Kathleen

We live in Southeast France, near Grenoble. Right now it's a little chilly in the mornings but warm the rest of the day. We get a little wind this time of year but for me the weather is perfect. Cynthia in the French Alps

quote:

you don't see the sideview of a crystalline Notre Dame de Paris in winter.

Olalalala. I meant: in the summer you don't see the sideview of a crystalline Notre Dame de paris in winter.

I too am a fan of Roz's "driver". But Abbygirlsouth, I don't know how to break this to you. Let me say this in a gossipy cyber-whisper:
He.
Wears.
A.
Purse.

Well...yes. But only:

A. In cold weather, when my pants pockets are buried under my coat, and...

B. In Europe, where I am less likely to be the butt of wisecracks (though obviously, that's not 100% true).

--Roz's driver--

quote:

I too am a fan of Roz's "driver". But Abbygirlsouth, I don't know how to break this to you. Let me say this in a gossipy cyber-whisper:
He.
Wears.
A.
Purse.

Ah yes, AiP, but he is not the only one! (See photo below, but I won't reveal the identity other purse-wearer without your permission. )

You can read more about this momentous wardrobe decision here.

- Roz

P.S. Abbygirlsouth, thank you for your nice comments. Wishing you and your husband many happy travels together!

- Roz

Are those the cutest guys or what. They look like two glamorous assassins from a Melville movie, like Borsalino, with heart-breaker heart throbs like Alain Delon, Gian Maria Volonte, Gabin, Bébel. You know, guys who shoot first, then light a gitane with the residual heat, then say Salut Poupée (or Ciao).
The ronnin on the left is, well, my driver, Americano a Parigi.
I remember that photo moment. Roz and I were coming out of a food shop in Antibes, to find our two husbands engaging in handbag talk. Roz just had to immortalize that moment.

Well, as they say, every picture tells a story. Thanks for the background behind this one, AiP. It's a winner.

I, for one, love men who wear purses.

Kathleen, I grew up in San Antonio but now live in Austin. What a small world indeed.
Even though you're now a Californian, since you have been to Paris in March, I am SURE that you will be able to handle any type of weather in Nov....and you sound like an expert in "how to enjoy Paris", so these are certainly points that can only work in your favor.

AiP...Vous ete tres drole! Ahhh the "man purse". I have actually tried to talk DH into carrying one on our travels. I said that it resembled a mail or book bag, but when he saw it described as a "man purse" well I believe that is where I lost him. So now in the winter he carries a camera,small backpack etc.under his coat and looks about 50 lbs heavier!

Roz, actually when I commented on you and "your driver" as a nice looking couple,I must say that it was you that I noticed and I wondered if "I" will look this young when I have been married 40yrs! But I do thank you for the picture of the men with their bags.LOL

Abbygirlsouth--Yes, it's a small world!! San Antonio and Austin are the best places in TX!! I still miss breakfast tacos at Taco Cabana!!... Besides the Bay Area of San Francisco (where I was born and now live), my favorite city is Paris!! Can't wait to get on the plane to Paris at the end of this month!!!

Kathleen

KathleenS, please report back when you return. We're off to Paris in mid December, and it will be our first time in Europe in the winter.

. . . and on the subtopic,
that man purse idea is quite appealing. But is there something which might hold a digital SLR camera?

We just got home from 3 weeks in Paris -- I was hot, hot, hot the whole time. We slept with all the windows open. (And people on the Metro were wearing coats!)

Each day I checked BBC weather and Accuweather for the forecast, rarely did they agree and rarely was either forecast correct! (I became hooked on seeing how wrong they could be!)

Checking British and American sites for weather in France -- well, as you said, that's not a great idea. MétéoFrance might not be much better, but at least it's local. And then more reliable is MétéoCiel. Try those.

Jon--I don't usually go to France in winter, either, so I will give a weather report when I return!!

Kathleen

The MétéoCiel website is a bit hard to decipher for me, since French is about fourth in my list of languages I can read or follow.

But weather.com lists forecasts for Paris, along with many other world cities. It's been as good as local forecasts when I've needed to check.

Weather forecast is never totally exact. Living in France, when I watch the weather forecast on tv, I'm always amazed at how they don't seem to be able to tell you what the weather IS like at the very moment they're talking about it... :|
Still, there is this site, www.worldweather.org that has a multilingual website for weather information and forecast throughout the world, and from official weather observations.

Rudy--Thanks for this great source for weather information!

Kathleen