Going to France in January

[Berry_Crawford]

My wife and I spent about 2 weeks in France a few years ago. About a week in Burgundy and then a week in Paris. We LOVED burgundy, especially the back roads and less touristy areas. The countryside of France is just simply amazing. After experiencing that Paris was a letdown. Paris is simply extremely tourist-driven so many of the popular areas seemed almost more like a themepark than a genuine immersion in a foreign and unique culture. I think if we had gone to Paris first it maybe would have been better. Personally, I see no need to ever go to Paris again but I almost painfully long to visit other parts of France again.

Also, we too went in the middle of the winter and it was f*cking freezing. Just be prepared with clothes.

[Paul_Jaouen]

I’m with Berry. If I never go to Paris again, that would be fine with me. But since my wife likes it, I’m sure I’ll be going again. I would much rather go other places with Burgundy and Alsace being my two favorite areas that I’ve been to.

[Guillaume_Deschamps]

Paris offers a different experience, that’s for sure. I would still go to Paris at least once if I had never been to France before. Of course as far as I’m concerned it’s a moot point

[Michel_Abood]

@Guillaume Deschamps

Paris offers a different experience, that’s for sure. I would still go to Paris at least once if I had never been to France before. Of course as far as I’m concerned it’s a moot point

Agreed, and if you/your wife like shopping, there are some terrific sales at the end of January on clothes at almost all the good stores and boutiques. But as others have said, it all depends on what you want to do and how long you’re staying and of course your budget.

[Mark_C]

Cognac.

[paul_clark]

I guess Paris is polarizing. I enjoy the serenity of the country side but I also appreciate the loud crowded little restaurants in back alleys (frenchie, coinstot vino) in Paris.

But a walk from Vougeot to Gevrey through CM and MSD in winter is refreshing and quieting for the soul. A boeuf bourguignon and a glass of the local juice is a good way to warm back up.

And yes Guillaume, the long shadow. It’s a nice touch.

[Peter_Kleban]

@M Champney

Cognac.

Drink it to keep warm, visit it–an interesting place!

(OK to be honest I haven’t been there, only nearby, but it’s in the countryside–la France profonde, even–so very good odds on being interesting.)

[John_Morris]

@Guillaume Deschamps

The good thing is that it’s often easier to get appointments with wineries in Jan or Feb than at any other point during the year…

In January? I know in Northern Italy a lot of winemakers take off on vacation to warmer climates then.

[Michael_Martin]

@Paul Jaouen

I’m with Berry. If I never go to Paris again, that would be fine with me. But since my wife likes it, I’m sure I’ll be going again. I would much rather go other places with Burgundy and Alsace being my two favorite areas that I’ve been to.

Everyone should go to Paris once… but not twice.

[Chris_Blum]

Normandy, the central Loire, and contrary to the naysayers…Paris.

How do you go to France and not visit Paris?!? How can you not see the Eiffel Tower, the Orsay, and a few other “spots on the bingo card”. Man, you guys are jaded.

Plus it’s January. I don’t think crowds will be a problem.

[Guillaume_Deschamps]

@John Morris

In January? I know in Northern Italy a lot of winemakers take off on vacation to warmer climates then.

School holidays end Jan 6. For most people it’s a dealbreaker. Plus there is some pruning to do.

[Berry_Crawford]

@Chris Blum

Plus it’s January. I don’t think crowds will be a problem.

Less crowded but still crowded.

[Chris_Blum]

@Berry Crawford

@Chris Blum

Plus it’s January. I don’t think crowds will be a problem.

Less crowded but still crowded.

So if July/August is a “10” crowdwise, what is January? Bear in mind he’s a tourist rather than a normal commuter with a job.

[A_Butler]

About the only time of the year I would want to eat the cuisine of Lyon is wintertime, and it is a great wine region year round. But you would need to be prepared for the cold weather in that part of France in January.

[M.Kaplan]

@Michael Martin

@Paul Jaouen

I’m with Berry. If I never go to Paris again, that would be fine with me. But since my wife likes it, I’m sure I’ll be going again. I would much rather go other places with Burgundy and Alsace being my two favorite areas that I’ve been to.

Everyone should go to Paris once… but not twice.

We spend Octobers in Paris. Can’t imagine not. This year, we had to leave early into our stay because my wife broke her ankle and we came home for surgery. Neither of us can wait until next Oct.

[Alan_Rath]

Paris is my favorite city in the world, I’d certainly want to spend a few days there, particularly if never been. We love Burgundy (just returned from a week there). Also visited Champagne for the first time, which was very nice, though I don’t feel the need to go back soon. Alsace is our next destination. Loire valley is worth doing once, for the Chateau, and obviously the wines. South would be more comfortable in January, but for me less interesting.

[Tom_Moore]

Same here on Paris. Someday, hopefully soon, would like to rent a flat and live there for 6 months. Just get up every day and wander. The food, the wine, the architecture, the history, the romance, the cafe culture, the arts, the museums, the people, the dogs…
A new arrondissement every day. What can I say, I’m a romantic!

Of course I will need an escape in Provence for the weekends.

[Odd_Rydland]

I could well imagine spending a month in Paris going daily to the Orsay; particularly outside the most crowded season. Normandy is beautiful as well, Rouen, Giverny, as well as the inroads of Dordogne (how come nobody mentioned that?). Actually one doesn’t need vines and vineyard around to enjoy France. Had a week in Pau and the Pyrenees this summer (OK; I drove through Jurancon) as well as a few days outside Montpellier,

[Michael_Martin]

@Odd Rydland

I could well imagine spending a month in Paris going daily to the Orsay; particularly outside the most crowded season. Normandy is beautiful as well, Rouen, Giverny, as well as the inroads of Dordogne (how come nobody mentioned that?). Actually one doesn’t need vines and vineyard around to enjoy France. Had a week in Pau and the Pyrenees this summer (OK; I drove through Jurancon) as well as a few days outside Montpellier,

The Dordogne is awesome. I biked that region. Great food, fairytale castles and awesome caves.

[Howard_Cooper]

@Berry Crawford

My wife and I spent about 2 weeks in France a few years ago. About a week in Burgundy and then a week in Paris. We LOVED burgundy, especially the back roads and less touristy areas. The countryside of France is just simply amazing. After experiencing that Paris was a letdown. Paris is simply extremely tourist-driven so many of the popular areas seemed almost more like a themepark than a genuine immersion in a foreign and unique culture. I think if we had gone to Paris first it maybe would have been better. Personally, I see no need to ever go to Paris again but I almost painfully long to visit other parts of France again.

Also, we too went in the middle of the winter and it was f*cking freezing. Just be prepared with clothes.

I am sympathetic to what Berry says. More and more, I love to get away from the big cities and go to smaller towns and the countryside in Europe. I have enough of a big city at home and it is nice to get away from it. And, I LLLLOOOOOVVVVVEEEE visiting Burgundy.

BUT, Paris is a pretty special city.