Even though the entirety of France is smaller than Texas, the country has four distinct weather zones. Spring is not the same in Normandy, for example, as it is along the Cote d'Azure in the south or in the central Loire Valley. No matter the temperature, spring in France means the trees are blossoming, the roses blooming and the grass is greener. Best of all, travel is cheaper and the streets are less crowded before the summer influx of tourists.
Paris
Luxembourg Gardens has a playground and a puppet theater.
Paris is called the City of Lights, and a nighttime trip to the top of the Arc de Triomphe will remove any doubt about the veracity of the nickname. Springtime in Paris means you can visit the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower without the usual crowds, but it's still best to buy advance tickets online and to be there when the doors open. Luxembourg Gardens, a large public park on the Left Bank, is filled with statues, fountains and a little lake for you to sail a rented toy boat.
Normandy
Mont-Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Normandy can be a little chilly and rainy in the spring, so bring a travel umbrella and a jacket. History buffs will want to visit the beaches where the Allies landed during World War II, as well as the American Cemetery and Memorial. A visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, a medieval village and monastery perched on a rocky tidal island, is a must. Normandy is not wine country, but the region's hard apple cider and apple brandy pack quite a punch.
The Camargue
Camargue horses are born dark but turn white after a few years.
More than 340 species of birds call the Camargue wetlands home, including a large colony of pink flamingos. Guided tours are available in spring, and, with any luck, you'll see the birds perform their courtship dance. Although the area is never very crowded, a springtime visit will save you from the aggressive mosquitoes. Each year, on the first of May, the Herdsmen's festival celebrates the small white horses that live in the Camargue marsh when they are not herding bulls. In the nearby town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, you can book a boat tour or arrange for a beach ride on a gentle Camargue horse.
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is called the "garden of France."
Located in the center of France, the Loire Valley is known for its mild climate, fruitful vineyards and its many Renaissance castles, each with an elaborate garden that is in full bloom in spring. Arrange a tour of the castles -- "chateaux" in French -- and visit the haunts of the royals, from Louis XII to Catherine de Medici. See the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, Joan of Arc's hometown and, just for the fun of it, the Museum of Witchcraft.
