My boyfriend and I are planning our first trip to France. We are trying to decide the best area to spend roughly 8 days before heading to Paris for another 5 full days. We were planning on traveling b
My boyfriend and I are planning our first trip to France. We are trying to decide the best area to spend roughly 8 days before heading to Paris for another 5 full days.
We were planning on traveling by train from Barcelona (March 1) to either Provence area or possibly fly to the Normandy region.
We’re looking to spend some relaxing time in the countryside and smaller towns before we hit the city of Paris, but aren’t sure what to expect in the off-season. Any weather limitations?We enjoy hiking and the great outdoors but wouldn’t mind enjoying some of the local restaurants either.
Both Provence and Normandy are beautiful. Weather-wise, it will be warmer in Provence, but you will be missing the beautiful green trees and shrubs, flowers, and of course, the lavender. Still, you have the quintessentially charming towns of St. Rémy, Arles, etc., and you still have the outdoor farmers' markets. Normandy is more like "itself," warm or cold weather. Wonderful half-timbered houses, also quaint villages. It's a toss-up == you'll have a freat time no matter which you choose!
My wife and I were in Paris in early March last year. There were some definitely cold evenings and days. Around mid-March it started to warm up. Be prepared for cool days and possibly cold nights with lows in the 30's and 40's.
I would recommend you go to Avignon. It's a great base in Provence, not too touristy and the weather should be pleasant. Not warm but moderate. There's so many great wine villages around Avignon - Chateau Neuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and the rolling countryside is beautiful.
Another bonus is you can catch the TGV from Avignon to Paris - it takes less than 3 hours!
Nothern France in March can be cold and not particularly conducive to outfoor activity. I found April in Paris to be less arractive than I had hoped, weather-wise. Provance is a good alternatiive. I suggest you do a weather analysis. Much data are available at www.weather.com and www accuweather.com.
Every month of the year offers something different to enjoy in Provence! Early March will surely be cool, if not cold; there will be some rain, if not some late snow. But there will also be crystal clear days with bright blue skies.
The Luberon and all the surrounding hills and valleys are full of wonderful, marked, hiking trails. Nearly every village, except the smallest ones, have at least one restaurant, and local french food and wine are some of the best possible! It is possible to go to this region during the early Spring and have a truly 'french' experience. Most of the villages also have a small hotel plus B&Bs called gites. Again, this is a way to get a true flavor or Provence "the french way". I highly recommend it!
Near where we live is the village of Cucuron, offering all of the above and a regional bus ride from Aix en Provence (on the TGV train line from Paris). Tuesday is market day, lots of trails into the Luberon range begin here, and the residents could not be more welcoming.
