Paris in the Spring! Springtime in Paris is just as amazing as you imagine it will be – maybe even better! Springtime is such a romantic and beautiful time to visit our incredible city. This guide to visiting Paris in the Spring will walk you through the reasons to visit in the Spring, what temperatures you can expect, what to pack for Paris in the Springtime, what to do here in the Spring, how to get around, where to stay, the foods in Paris you can’t miss during your trip and even where to see cherry blossoms in Paris! Are you ready to make all your Paris in the Springtime dreams come true? Let’s go!
What’s Paris’ Spring weather like?
The weather starts to get warmer in Paris in the Spring but it rains quite a lot and certain parts of the day can be cooler. The average temperatures are 8° C – 16°C (47°F – 60°F) in the Spring, with cooler temperatures in March and higher temperatures in May.
Things to do in Paris in the Spring
Take a walk along the Seine and take photos of the cherry blossoms
One of the best things about visiting Paris in the Spring is getting to see the cherry blossoms in bloom. They don’t bloom for long, and the exact bloom dates change from year to year, but if you happen be here during the two to three week cherry blossom period, it is magical! One of the best places to spot the cherry blossoms in bloom is in front of Shakespeare & Company in the 5th arrondissement.
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Ride the Batobus
Did you know there is a water bus system in Paris, kind of like Paris’ answer to Venice’s vaporetto?!
Book your Batobus ticket in advance here!
Head out to photograph the magnolias
Take a walk around the Palais Royal gardens to get the best view of the magnolias in bloom. You can also spot them in the Champs de Mars, the garden next to the Eiffel Tower.
Take advantage of the warmer weather and go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
Visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower is beautiful any time of year, but it is nicer to visit during the Spring when the weather is warmer than in the Winter when it is windy and cold.
Book your skip-the-line ticket to go up the Eiffel Tower here!
Take a walk to see the wisteria (one of our favorite things to do in Paris in the Springtime!)
Paris is a beautiful place to spot Spring wisteria! One of the best places to see wisteria is on the outside of the beautiful cafe, Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole in the 4th arrondissement. You can also spot beautiful wisteria at La Grande Mosquée de Paris (see more below).
Join in on the Nuit des Musées festivities
Coming to Paris on May 18th, 2024, and a yearly event, museums stay open late in to the night and are free to enter. The museums also organize workshops, shows and special exhibits, making it a really fun Parisian experience.
Related : Small Museums in Paris (don’t miss these amazing smaller museums in Paris!)
Take a French cooking class
Paris is a fabulous place to take a cooking class. Do you want to learn how to make a 3 course French meal? Want to know how to make perfectly crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside macarons?
These are the cooking classes we recommend in Paris
Celebrate Easter
Consider booking a trip to Paris for Easter. There are many Easter festivities that you can enjoy during your trip.
- Book a concert at Sainte Chapelle
- Book a concert at Saint Julien le Pauvre
Eat all the Easter chocolate
Paris is home to some really amazing chocolatiers. Three times a year all of the master chocolatiers in Paris create the most exquisite creations : Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas. Make sure you try some of the best chocolates in Paris. Our favorite places to buy spectacular chocolates are Pierre Marcolini, Pierre Herme, La Maison du Chocolat, Edwart, La Mère de Famille and Chapon.
Shop a local Parisian market
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know how much we love going to the Marché d’Aligre. It’s our favorite market in Paris. Visit a Parisian market in the Spring to see a traditional, covered Parisian market, buy seasonal produce and see the greatest selection of French cheese.
If you love markets, Spring is also a fantastic time to visit the Paris flea market.
Sit in a café
Visit Paris in the Spring to sit in a Parisian cafe with a coffee or a glass of wine and a good book. The weather is getting warmer and you will be able to sit outside and take it all in.
Related : Don’t Miss These Cafes in Paris!
Some of the best?
Explore the gardens of the Musée Rodin
The Rodin Museum is one of the most beautiful small museums in Paris. Spring is the best time to visit because the gorgeous garden is in bloom. Walk through the rose garden, sip a coffee at their sweet little cafe and enjoy Rodin’s stunning statues.
Book your skip-the-line ticket to the Musée Rodin!
If you are a museum lover and you’re planning to visit several museums during your time Paris, consider getting the Paris Museums Pass.
Explore the gardens of Paris
Paris is the city of beautiful gardens. If you visit Paris in the Springtime, you’ll be able to see the Parisian gardens in all their beautiful, blossoming glory.
- Tuileries – the garden between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde
- Jardin des Plantes – the botanical gardens of Paris
- Place des Vosges – this gorgeous garden in the Marais
- Jardin du Luxembourg – the left bank garden extraordinaire
- Jardins du Palais Royal – in the 1st arrondissement
- Parc Monceau – a jewel of a small garden in the 8th arrondissement
Take in the spectacular view from the Institut du Monde Arabe
The view over Paris from the Institut du Monde Arabe is one of Paris’ best kept secrets. It is truly spectacular! In addition the gorgeous terrace, you can also enjoy lunch at their beautiful restaurant or cafe.
Take a River Cruise on the Seine
One of the best activities to enjoy during Spring time in Paris is a cruise on the Seine. I love this 1-hour cruise on the Seine.
Take the activity even further and enjoy a panoramic dinner cruise on the Seine!
Stop for mint tea at La Grande Mosquée de Paris
The cafe at La Grande Mosquée is one of those incredible places that you will want to go back to again and again. It is charming and quaint and the perfect spot to sit for hours with a mint tea, traditional Moroccan pastries and the person you love.
Paris in the Spring : 7 Reasons to visit Paris in the Springtime
- Paris is in bloom – Spring is the time to visit to see the cherry blossoms, magnolias and wisteria in bloom. Bonus : going flower spotting is one of the best free things to do in Paris!
- The gardens – Spring is the best time to stroll around the gardens to see all of the Springtime flowers.
- Cafe culture – when you think of Paris you probably think of sitting outside in a Parisian cafe. Spring is the best time to take advantage of all the coffee shops in Paris!
- Warmer weather – temperatures rise in the Spring, making a great time to walk all over our beautiful city.
- Seasonal produce – Spring is a great time to visit to enjoy Spring vegetables. If you are a foodie, you will love discovering how local chefs incorporate Spring vegetables into their Spring menus and may even want to plan a Parisian picnic.
- The locals are typically in a better mood – I love the French, I really do, but they are not known to be the happiest or most optimistic bunch. If you visit Paris in Winter you may encounter some of the grumpiest people you’ve eve come across in your travels. However, when the sun comes out in the Spring, people are much happier!
- Parisian picnics – if the weather is warm enough, you may even be able to enjoy an outdoor picnic.
Paris in the Spring : What to wear
I recommend dressing in layers! Make sure that you dress in layers (top, sweater, pants or tights) and that you bring a light jacket or two. This post shares more information about what to wear in Paris.
How to get around in Paris in the Spring
- Walk – by far the best way to get around Paris, any time of the year.
- Uber – French taxis can be hard to find and even harder to flag down. (This hurt my New Yorker heart my first years in Paris, I have to say.) Now, with the arrival of Uber, getting a taxi in Paris has never been easier.
- Hop on hop off bus – slightly touristy yes, but probably the easiest, most inclusive way to see all of the sights quickly and conveniently in Paris.
- Take a boat – yes, like in Venice, you can explore Paris by boat! You have two options : 1/ a boat tour or 2/ a water navette.
Where to stay in Paris in the Spring
There is not shortage of fabulous hotels in Paris. There are so many incredibly options when searching for your perfect hotel in our beautiful city.
When choosing the best hotel in Paris for you, it’s important to consider where you want to stay, what kind of a trip you are planning (romantic couples trip? family vacation?), what style hotel you prefer and what price point you are looking for for your stay.
Some of our favorite hotels
- Hotel du Louvre – this hotel is perfectly located across the street from the Palais Royal and steps away from the Louvre and the Tuileries.
- Maison Souquet – a luxury hotel in the 9th arrondissement housed in a maison particulière from the 1800s. (Their bar is stellar too!)
- Maison Proust – a gorgeous new hotel in Paris that also has an absolutely dreamy La Mer spa!
- Hotel Parister – a more affordable stay in the trendy 9th arrondissement.
- Hotel Delavigne – an affordable option centrally located in the 6th arrondissement near Odéon.
- Hotel La Comtesse – 4-star hotel with Eiffel Tower views from all the rooms!
Related : Don’t Miss These Boutique Hotels in Paris
What to eat in Paris in the Springtime
There are so many wonderful things to eat in Paris. Download our free Paris food guide, print it out and bring it with you on your trip to Paris so you can check things off as you go and you don’t miss out on any of the best places to eat in Paris.
Some highlights?
- Seek out the best croissant in Paris
- Head to the Chapon chocolate mousse bar
- Try the best donuts in Paris
- Experience a French bouillon at Le Bouillon Chartier
- Try the best falafel in Paris
Simple Paris day trips to take in the Spring
Spring is a lovely time to take a day trip from Paris to somewhere beautiful. Since Spring is the season when all the flowers are in bloom, a couple of day trips may be in order.
Parc de Sceaux
The Parc de Sceaux has the most magnificent display of cherry blossoms that we have ever seen! It is easily accessible from Paris by RER and definitely worth visiting if you are coming to Paris in the Spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Giverny
Giverny, Monet’s former house and gardens from 1883 until 1926, is one of our favorite day trips from Paris. It is in the region of Normandy and just — from Paris. You can rent a car to get there, go by train or book a tour to make things even easier.
Paris in the Spring
Everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip, including why to visit in the Spring, what to pack, where to stay, what to eat and how to make the most of your trip.
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First published March 2, 2021. Last updated February 22, 2024 with more information, additional tips, and better readability.
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