suzyq26

I will be visiting my daughter in France over 10 days of the Christmas break. We will be spending some time in Paris, but wondered what other areas in France would be good to visit this time of year? Is the weather warm along the southern or Atlantic coasts?

grandmere

At Xmastime, '89-'90, I spent ~10 days with my daughter who was studying in France at the time. We spent a few days in Paris, then took the TGV to Avignon, rented a car, did some of the highlights of Provence, and finally took the train to Strasbourg, where she was living. Paris was warm-ish and raining when I arrived, but it got cold soon after, and I was glad to have my winter coat in Provence and for sure in Strasbourg. The Mediterranean is not like the Caribbean, and you are not likely to find it warm any place in France at that time of year; the Atlantic coast could be downright bleak, IMO. Being from Pgh., the weather was at least as good, if not better, than we are accustomed to at that time of year. We had lots of fun, and I love to look at our pictures and reminisce about that special trip! We had said, "See you in Paris!", as she left for France in Aug., and anticipation of that helped ease the separation pangs of her being far away for a year!

Have a wonderful time with your daughter; I'm imagining she is spending a college year there?

suzyq26

Thanks for your help. Yes, she is a college student in France for a year. Your comments about your trip reminded me that we'll probably feel "warm" no matter where we visit.

StCirq

The Atlantic coast will most certainly not be warm, and the Med will be chilly. As for places to visit at that time of year, well, just about any place in France will be nice. If you want a Christmasy atmosphere, I'd head for Strasbourg, where the Christmas market, very much like the ones in Germany, is big and interesting.

Huitres

Since you will probably experience Christmas festivities in Paris, why not take the 3.5 hour TGV Mediteranee down to the south of France? I would recommend going to Nice - you get to stay in the capital of the glitzy Cote D'Azur, yet experience the charm of the "vieille ville" with the Cours Saleya market, the shops and restaurants along the Boulevard Des Anglais -- all with beautiful sunny weather to boot!