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Tracey Traveller
Slow Traveler
Posted
I'm in a quandry. We love Provence in September when it's a bit quieter, but two things are drawing me to June. I'd love to see the Lavendar and our work vacation year runs July 1 - June 30, so by taking the last two weeks of June, first week of July, I'm spreading it over two vacation years. Any input? is it too crowded in late June early July?
 
Posts: 262 | Location: Vancouver, Canada | Registered: 09 February 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Americana in ParigiPremium Membership

Hero-2009
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Late June is excellent.
As long as schools are not out, there are no real crowds.
The weather is excellent.
The water gets warm.
The fields still retain that shocking spring green.
All over southern France, villages organize a banquet for the whole village, for the Fête de St Jean, on summer solstice day. It is one of my fave fêtes.
Starting July 1st, the summer high season is on, rental rates go up.


And from un Americano a Parigi…
 
Posts: 3275 | Location: Paris, France | Registered: 01 March 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Fourtotravel
Traveler
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Hello - late June is the perfect time to explore Provence!


www.enjoyprovence.com
 
Posts: 59 | Registered: 08 August 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
KevinWidrowPremium Membership

Hero-2009
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I agree with Enjoy that late June is a perfect time to visit Provence. The French school vacations start in July, so that's when things really start to get crowded. Even then, apart from the Cote d'Azur, and a few really touristy villages in western Provence and Aix and Avignon during the summer festivals, it's never overwhelming around here. The weather that time of year is almost guaranteed to be beautiful, sunny - hot and dry. And for those into flowing fields of blue, the lavender is usually starting to peak right at the end of June and at it's absolute best by mid-day on the 7th of July (or thereabouts) !

-Kevin


Kevin Widrow
www.masperreal.com
 
Posts: 1492 | Location: Provence | Registered: 13 February 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Tracey Traveller
Slow Traveler
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Thanks for everyone's input on this. I'm pretty sure we're aiming for June 19th to July 10th window for our trip, just have to wait until late July to be able to book our flights on points.

Can't wait to get back!

Kevin, as soon as we've confirmed our flights, I'll drop you an e:mail. Thanks again for all your input.
 
Posts: 262 | Location: Vancouver, Canada | Registered: 09 February 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Doug Phillips

Slow Traveler
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A contrarian view.

We have been in the south of France 3 times - the first time (2005 in the Luberon) in September and the last 2 times (2008 in Drome Provence & 2009 in the Luberon) in June.

We plan to return to the south of France several times, but have decided to pass on June in the future.

First of all, June is a nice time of the year where I live.

Second, it's more difficult for us to get away in June than other months.

Third, Kevin mentions "hot and dry". Dry is nice at any time for travelers and I suppose you could consider temps of 34+ degrees in early June hot - a bit too hot several days in a row for this Canadian boy.

Hey, but what do I know?


Doug

My Travel Page - Trip Reports, reviews, photo albums and a blog
 
Posts: 971 | Location: Ontario, Canada | Registered: 21 February 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Tracey Traveller
Slow Traveler
Posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Doug Phillips:
A contrarian view.

We have been in the south of France 3 times - the first time (2005 in the Luberon) in September and the last 2 times (2008 in Drome Provence & 2009 in the Luberon) in June.

We plan to return to the south of France several times, but have decided to pass on June in the future.

First of all, June is a nice time of the year where I live.

Second, it's more difficult for us to get away in June than other months.

Third, Kevin mentions "hot and dry". Dry is nice at any time for travelers and I suppose you could consider temps of 34+ degrees in early June hot - a bit too hot several days in a row for this Canadian boy.

Hey, but what do I know?


Last time we were there though we still hit 34 which was late August/Early September so unless we go much later,there's not really any guarantees. And the ability to stretch a 3 week trip over two work vacation years is huge! And the Lavendar Wink We've also been to the Nice area in both early and mid-October and while it was nice, we had some dicey weather days.
 
Posts: 262 | Location: Vancouver, Canada | Registered: 09 February 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Doug Phillips

Slow Traveler
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Hi Tracey,

Agree with your comments - just contributing a slightly different take. We are both now retired - our timetable is likely a bit more flexible than some.

And I realize that I forgot a 4th visit to the south of France - 10 days in September 2007.

We are starting to plan our fifth visit in 2010.


Doug

My Travel Page - Trip Reports, reviews, photo albums and a blog
 
Posts: 971 | Location: Ontario, Canada | Registered: 21 February 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
rudy.viae
Traveler
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late June is a very good time for Provence. Note that the schoolyear officially ends on July 2nd this year, but many schoolchildren will stop tomorrow and many others on June 30th.
 
Posts: 34 | Location: Nice, France | Registered: 02 April 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
ckenb

Slow Traveler
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Late June might be hot in Provence but it is a great time to visit Normandy. The nicest thing about June as compared to September is the long days around the summer solstice. Dark at 10:30 or 11:00 p.m., so a lot of time to sightsee or enjoy sitting outdoors at dinner.


Living the Life in Saint-Aignan
 
Posts: 1202 | Location: Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France | Registered: 13 January 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
KevinWidrowPremium Membership

Hero-2009
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Yep, those long days of June really are nice - just hopped out of the pool for a little final refresher after what could only be described as an afternoon of perfect weather - gorgeous blue skies, a light breeze, high around 28-29 and some lavender fields at their peak on the way over to pick up pizza at our favorite spot in Roussillon - life is good !

-Kevin


Kevin Widrow
www.masperreal.com
 
Posts: 1492 | Location: Provence | Registered: 13 February 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Tracey Traveller
Slow Traveler
Posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by KevinWidrow:
Yep, those long days of June really are nice - just hopped out of the pool for a little final refresher after what could only be described as an afternoon of perfect weather - gorgeous blue skies, a light breeze, high around 28-29 and some lavender fields at their peak on the way over to pick up pizza at our favorite spot in Roussillon - life is good !

-Kevin


Le Sigh!!!! Wink
 
Posts: 262 | Location: Vancouver, Canada | Registered: 09 February 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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