France in May: Unique Vacation Ideas

May is one of the best times to visit France.

The weather in France at this time of year is in general, very good. Daylight hours are getting longer, temperatures are rising, and the April showers have subsided. There are approximately 6 days in the month where there might be rain.

To give you an idea, here are approximate average low and high temperatures for the weather in May, in the main french cities:

Weather In France In May

This is perfect weather for sightseeing in France, especially if you enjoy the outdoors.

You might notice that prices for flights and accommodation go up a little because we're in shoulder season now - but May is still a cheaper time to travel than June, July and August which are peak season months.

Also, most attractions in France are open now, but they won't be as busy as July and August (so less time waiting in line!).

So....

....if you've already seen the famous attractions in France and want to try more unique vacation ideas, here are some suggestions on things you could do:

Where To Stay

• rent a holiday home in the french countryside, it's a cheap and relaxing way to spend a holiday in france. There will most likely be a village market where you can stock up on bread, cheese and wine; all you need to do is enjoy the sunshine and fresh air (and wine...);


• rather than stay in a hotel in Paris, rent an apartment for a week or so and experience life as a local;


• stay in a bed and breakfast for a more authentic french cultural experience; - and your host will know all the best local places to visit, too!

Great Places To Visit In France and Unique Vacation Ideas

• The Perigord is beautiful at this time of year. And there's lots going on too: Bergerac hosts an annual jazz festival in May (Jazz Pourpre Festival), with blues and jazz concerts. Find out more on the Jazz Pourpre website;


• Rocamadour has a cheese festival (Fête des Fromages) in May - the biggest in southern France - with lots of opportunities for tasting, markets, and competitions;


• If you're in Paris, you might like to check out the antiques fair that takes places at Place de la Bastille (Email: j.g.organisation@wanadoo.fr to confirm dates);


• The Saint Germain Jazz Festival hosts both local and international names, and this year (2009) runs from 10 to 25 May (see the festival website for more information;)


• The Granet Museum in Aix-en-Provence has a Cézanne exhibition starting late May and running through until September (see the museum website for more information).

Speaking of museums, don't miss out on the Nuit des Musées when museums all over France stay open until 1am...many of them, for free! You'll need to confirm exact dates on the Nuit des Musées website. This only happens like this once a year, in May.

For more exciting and unique vacation ideas for France, you might also like to see our pages on:

• some of the most fascinating monuments and attractions in France;


• romantic places to visit in France;


• romantic ways to enjoy Paris;


• ideas for a family friendly vacation;


• cheap vacation ideas; and


• tips on what what clothing to pack depending on the weather.