Autumn in Paris

Autumn in Paris - this is not what comes to mind if one thinks of "The City of Love". Normally you would go in spring, enjoying the romantic city, perhaps already having a coffee outside on the pavement of one of the cosy bistros, feeling the warmth coming over the land again. But be prepared - you are not the only traveller who has got images of a romantic mini-break in mind. In spring, Paris is flooded with tourists, all trying to get into the romantic mood that Paris is expected to conjure up in everybody. Fact is, Paris in spring is crowded, even more expensive, and basically, you could have bad weather, spring or not. After all, it is still Europe, and not the south of it. So you could have not only rainy spells but, if you are unlucky, rain pouring down all the time. Better try Paris in autumn. The summer time is absolutely not advisable. Temperatures can rise to close to 30 degrees centigrade, which is very uncomfortable in a city. But in autumn - early autumn like September - Paris is lovely. There are few tourists, you will get good hotels easily and mostly at a discount price. You can still sit outside, but you won't be regretting having spent a warm, dazzling day in a museum. And at least two museums are a must. On the one hand, it is of course the "Louvre" with its collection of old paintings, among them the famous "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. On the other hand, it is the "Centre Pompidou" - a modern building housing the collection of Modern Art. And another thing is more enjoyable in autumn. Since it is getting dark earlier, you can go up the Eiffel Tower before it closes and still see the city below in the dark, with all the lights glimmering and illuminating Paris. True, you may not be able to enjoy an evening sitting on the banks of the river Seine, because it may be too cold. But a lunch-picnic on the banks is just as enjoyable.