Does any one know about French holiday prices...?

Question

We are looking to holiday in France this year and notice that the prices differ by quite a large amount even though thtey are still in the UK Summer holiday season. 16/08/08 is one price and just one week later is about 25% cheaper, does anyone know why >?? Will everything still be open when we get there or is there a national holiday where everything closes down and we cannot eat for a week ?

Answer 1

We've been to France several times (from the U.S.) and I don't think there's ever going to be a time when everything shuts down and you can't find food.  However, I'm flipping through my Rough Guide and it says that the first weekend of August is the busiest time of all because that's when the French take their vacations.  

So it would seem that perhaps the second or third week in August would be a more economical time to visit France -- particularly if you are trying to visit an area where others would also want to holiday.

Answer 2

The school holdays in France are from start of July to start of September. A lot of factories shut for 2 or 3 weeks annual holiday in August. It is supply and demand. Lots of French citizens go on holiday over those 2 weeks, and the majority holiday within France. Just like anywhere else, the busiest periods are always the most expensive. Oh yes, even on National Holidays many shops are open, Christmas day itself is the ONLY day you can expect to find everything shut, and even then most restaurants open on Xmas eve and do not close until 5 or 6 am on Christmas day!