Paris is a beautiful city, and it’s also the capital city of France. While it’s a great place to visit year-round, visiting Paris in the spring is a fantastic sight. Spring time in Paris is truly remarkable; you’ll find it full of flowers, trees, lively crowds and an overall fantastic atmosphere.
The weather starts to clear up after the cold winter months, leaving you with the wonderful scents as the spring flowers start to bloom. What could be better than witnessing the changing of seasons from frost to flower?
Spring is truly a magical time in Paris. Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to Paris in the spring time.
See also: Paris for Beginners: Where and What to Eat, See or Do
Paris weather in spring
Spring in Paris is one of the most popular times of year to visit, and the season lasts from March to May. You can expect Paris weather in spring to start out chilly, with highs of 54°F/12°C in March, 61°F / 16°C in April and 68°F / 20°C in May.
The average lows for March are 41°F/5°C, you can expect 45°F/7°C lows in April and 52°F/11°C lows in May. As you can see, the weather warms up in May but remains cool throughout the season, especially at night. Don’t forget to pack warm clothes for your Paris weather in spring, especially if you visit in March. We highly recommend traveling with Merino wool clothes as they work well for all weather types.
Tips for visiting the “city of love” in the spring
Having a Paris spring is nothing short of amazing. Still, there are some things you should know before visiting to make your holiday and planning process more enjoyable.
- Paris is always busy, no matter what time of year you decide to visit. This is especially true when you book tickets for a significant landmarks or museums. You’ll likely need to book for famous sights like the Eiffel Tower or Catacombs weeks in advance. Social distancing measures have also limited the number of visitors allowed per day, and some ticket booths are even closed. So make sure to book your tickets ahead of time!
- Book a central hotel. Paris is a beautiful city for walking around at any time of day. Spring is even better, as it offers cherry blossoms, sunshine and a fantastic atmosphere. There are many great forms of accommodation, from hotels to guest houses and apartments.
- There are a lot of public holidays during spring time in Paris. The high season really kicks off in April, and Easter is the first major holiday of the year for the French. You can expect Paris to be especially crowded during the Easter holidays, as well as holidays like Labour Day and Victory Day in early May.
- Be prepared for flexibility on short notice. Spring time brings unpredictable weather with it. While it’s rare that you’d lose a whole day to rain, it could definitely ruin your plans to walk in Monet’s Gardens or other outdoor activities in Paris.
- Pack enough to keep warm. While Paris in the spring is not the coldest time of year, it sometimes shows off its four seasons in a day. Packing a lightweight jacket, like a puffer or down jacket, should be enough to keep you out of the cold that you’ll find in a Paris spring. There is an extensive range of temperatures in a Paris Spring, so bear this in mind when you start packing. Check out our stylish city packing guide.
- Get the Paris city card. Save money and get access to two of the most iconic locations in and around Paris: the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower along with enjoying a cruise along the Seine. Buy the Paris City Card.
Related read: The Paris Pass and Why it’s Worth it
Top things to do during spring time in Paris
Paris has rightfully earned its popularity as one of the most famous cities in the world. Naturally, the number of things to do in Paris is nearly endless. While you don’t need to specifically wait to visit Paris in the spring, some places and activities are much nicer when visiting in the spring time.
- If you are an art lover, you need to visit the Atelier des Lumières and the Louvre. The Palais Royal is an elegant and historical building offering covered galleries worth a visit.
- There are many other notable museums in Paris, such as the Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Musée du Quai Branly and many more.
- Since Paris has pleasant spring weather, you might enjoy a sightseeing bike tour. If you don’t feel confident on your own, you can book a guided bike tour of Paris to give you the best overview of the city.
Related tour: Paris: Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour
- You could book a relaxing cruise on the Seine. This is one of the most budget-friendly activities to enjoy when visiting Paris.
Related tour: Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner
- Spring time in Paris is not complete without visiting one of many parks. Paris has over 400 parks, so there is definitely no shortage of variety to choose from! It’s also a great time to take a day trip to Versailles.
- Go for drinks and dinner at a restaurant. Enjoy an apéro, which is a drink and small nibble before dinner. Check out our guide to the nightlife in Paris.
- Complete your Paris spring with a food or market tour to enjoy the best local food and shops on offer. Paris is one of the best food destinations in the world for foodies! There are many walking tours to choose from.
- Paris has 5 hills. If you’d like to stroll through Paris on a less-crowded route, walking on the slopes can offer fantastic panoramic views of the city without the extensive foot you might find on the streets.
Related read: A Guide to the Arrondissements of Paris
- If you are a fan of architecture, visit the Butte aux Cailles neighbourhood. It offers beautiful art deco buildings with unique colours. Rue Montorgueil is another great neighbourhood that offers a mix of rural villages and urban sights.
Blossoms, fresh air & a new lease on life
It’s a great idea to visit Paris in the spring time. From the relatively mild Paris weather in spring to the fresh blooming scent of new plant life, much of the liveliness of Paris returns in spring.
Spring also offers excellent opportunities for visiting the many parks that Paris offers, visiting famous museums, taking a bike tour of the city, or even visiting a food market.
Regardless of your interests, we’re sure you will find something to do that is unique to Paris – whether you’re an art lover, urban explorer, foodie or photographer!
Visiting in winter? Check out our guide to winter in Paris!
