The best time to visit Paris is
largely a question of personal
taste. The city has a more
reliable
climate than
Britain, with uninterrupted
stretches of sun (or rain)
year-round. However, while it
maintains a vaguely southern
feel for anyone crossing the
English Channel, Mediterranean
it is not. Winter temperatures
drop well below freezing, with
sometimes biting winds. If
you're lucky, spring and autumn
will be mild and sunny; in
summer it can reach the 30s°C
(80s°F).
In terms of pure aesthetics,
winter sun is the city's most
flattering light, when the pale
shades of the older buildings
become luminescent and long
shadows criss-cross the parks.
By contrast, Paris in high
summer can be unpleasant, with
the fumes of congested traffic
becoming trapped within the high
narrow streets, and the
reflected light in the city's
open spaces too blinding to
enjoy.
One of the quietest times of
year to visit is during the French
summer holidays from July 15
to the end of August, when large
numbers of Parisians flee the
city for the coast or mountains.
However, a lot of Paris's shops
and restaurants will be closed
during this period. There is,
too, the commercial calendar
to consider - fashion shows,
trade fairs and the like. Paris
hoteliers warn against visiting
during the months of September
and October, and finding a
room even at the best of
times can be problematic. Early
spring, autumn if you book
ahead, or the midwinter months
will be most rewarding.
