April in Paris
All you need to know for your next trip to Paris in April 2026. What to expect from the weather, what to pack, and local tips. If you’re in a hurry, jump straight to my curated list of the best things to do in Paris in April here.
What is Paris like in April? April is a wonderful month to visit Paris, but it is also a busy one. Spring has well and truly started, and despite frequent showers, the city fills with flowers and perfumes, and the locals start to populate the parks.
In 2026, Easter falls in April, and although France is not known for its religious celebrations, the city becomes especially appealing for those who can get some days off.
In Paris, April is a combination of city perfection and busy crowds. It is a great month for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and day trips out of the capital. If you are visiting Paris in April this year, here’s a quick guide to get the most out of your time in the French capital.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Château de Versailles and Gardens
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! SafetyWing Essential plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up). Can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
How Busy is Paris in April? Crowds Forecast
Is Paris crowded in April? April marks the beginning of the high season in France, making it a relatively busy month in Paris. While you won’t encounter the crowds typical of July and August, it’s still wise to book transportation, accommodation, and tickets to major attractions well in advance.
Paris in April is crazy busy during the weeks of Easter and spring school holidays (more in the following chapters).
Below I list the main Paris attractions you’ll need advance tickets for and have added links to my favorite trusted providers for your convenience:
Best Tips for Visiting Paris in April
If you’re visiting Paris for the first time and plan to see many of the city’s top sights, consider purchasing a Paris tourist pass to save both time and money. The Paris Museum Pass, available for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, is the most popular option for accessing major landmarks and museums, though it isn’t the best fit for every traveler. Check out this Paris Tourist Pass Comparison to find the pass that suits your itinerary best.
If you plan to visit only a few attractions, consider purchasing bundle tickets for your favorite sites. Tiqets, one of my favorite ticket providers, often offers hand-picked combinations that help you save both time and money.
5 and 6 April 2026 are holiday days in France (Sunday and Monday Easter). This is a popular time to visit Paris, and locals also like to travel around the country and abroad. Therefore, booking flight tickets, train tickets, and accommodation well in advance is paramount.
School holidays in Paris this year are from 18 April to 3 May, and parents commonly take one week off for a family cultural trip somewhere else in France or Europe. If you decide to visit Paris in late April, book things in advance, especially train and flight tickets from /to Paris.
If you plan to visit Paris in April, be sure to keep a few indoor activities in mind in case of occasional showers. For inspiration, check out this list of fun things to do when it rains in Paris.
A week before the departure, check out my Transportation Strikes in Paris post, which is always up to date. You never know with the French . . . 😉
Need travel insurance for your trip to France? Be sure to check rates and coverage with my recommended provider, SafetyWing. SafetyWing – Essential or Complete – works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days) and covers unexpected medical and travel issues while abroad. It also includes coverage at home, and you can sign up at any point during your travels! Check out plans and prices.
What to Do in Paris in April 2026 (+ Events in Paris, April 2026)
What to do in Paris in April? If you visit Paris for the first time, you likely have some of the city’s main attractions on your Paris bucket list. The itineraries below are designed specifically for first-time visitors, and are organized around Paris’s most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods.
- 1 day in Paris itinerary
- 2 days in Paris itinerary
- 3 days in Paris itinerary
- 4 days in Paris itinerary
- 5 days in Paris itinerary
- 6 days in Paris itinerary
- 7 days in Paris itinerary
And without further ado, here’s the list of the best things to do in Paris in April 2026 – seasonal activities and temporary exhibitions with something for everyone. Some events (or the dates of certain events) are not confirmed yet, so keep clicking for the latest updates.
Explore Paris by Bike
April in Paris is an excellent month to explore the city by bike. Instead of navigating the dark, crowded metro, enjoy some fresh air and experience the city in spring on two wheels.
Check out this quick guide to Paris by Bike to learn how to navigate the city on two wheels and for the best bike tours covering Paris. For a fun and relaxing day, consider this 3-hour tour of Paris by bike, which always gets good reviews. You can also explore Versailles by bike or take this self-guided bike tour along Canal de l’Ourcq.
Look for the Cherry Blossoms in Paris
If you visit Paris in early April, you will find many spots with beautiful cherry blossoms. Check out my quick guide to the Cherry Blossoms in Paris for the list of best spots and the approximate dates.
Visit the Small Towns Near Paris
There’s always something new to see in the capital, but when the weather is good, it’s also fun to get on a train and explore the beautiful small towns around Paris.
The surroundings of Paris are dotted with some picturesque small towns worth a day trip. After the long winter, these towns come to life in April, especially on the weekends.
Where to go for a day out of Paris in April? Provins is a pretty medieval town that is easy to reach by train, while Auvers-sur-Oise is famous for Van Gogh. For a good combination of sightseeing and nature, head to Fontainebleau to visit the castle and a hike in the forest – Click here for the list of best small towns near Paris
Easter in Paris 2026
Easter in France is all about church services, meals with family, and spectacular chocolate creations.
During Easter, pastry and chocolate shops throughout the city decorate their shop windows with awesome Easter goodies and colorful cakes. Shop displays by Pierre Hermé, Patrick Roger, and Jean-Paul Hévin are wonderful to see.
To get the most out of the season, take this Chocolate, Pastries & Macaron Walking Tour of Saint-Germain, a picturesque neighborhood well known for its chocolate and cake shops. You can also try this self-guided Paris chocolate tour, which visits the best chocolate shops in Le Marais.
Join a Food Tour
Food tours are a great way to discover local cuisine while enjoying some fresh air, especially when the weather is still on the cooler side. In Paris, food tours typically focus on a specific area or neighborhood, making them an excellent way to learn more about the district while sampling delicious food along the way.
Learn about the best food in Paris and get some good addresses to eat or buy delicious food while exploring your favorite neighborhood in Paris.
The best food tours in Paris cover the neighborhoods of Le Marais, Saint Germain-des-Prés, and Montmartre. I especially liked this Paris gourmet tour, which involves wandering through great markets and tasting great produce while learning all the hints on how to buy the best food in Paris.
Treasure Hunts and Scavenger Hunts
Paris is home to many interesting museums, but when the weather is nice, it is hard to stay indoors in the City of Light!
If you’re looking for alternative or unusual things to do in Paris, treasure hunts are a fun way to see the city from a different perspective. They guide you past local attractions while drawing your attention to details you might otherwise walk right past.
If you’re lucky enough to catch a sunny, blue-sky day in Paris in April, take full advantage of it and head outdoors – that’s exactly what Parisians do.
Try this self-guided treasure hunt in the Luxembourg Gardens, where you’ll search for Queen Marie de Médicis’ most precious treasure. Or opt for this self-guided scavenger hunt in the Tuileries Garden, helping a lost soul reach its final resting place.
Both experiences are a great way to learn more about two of Paris’s most beautiful central gardens while enjoying time outdoors.
Visit Monet’s Gardens in Giverny
After the quieter winter months, Monet’s house in Giverny reopens in April, making it one of the best day trips from Paris.
In spring, Monet’s garden bursts into bloom. In April, you’ll mainly see irises, narcissi, daffodils, and tulips, followed later in the season by other colorful spring bulbs. As the month progresses, wallflowers begin to appear as well.
April is still too early for the famous water lilies, but you can watch two of the garden’s most emblematic trees – the apple tree and the cherry tree – begin to flower.
There are several ways to organize a day trip from Paris to Monet’s Gardens; however, this guided day tour remains the most popular option.
Take a Cruise to Sail the Seine River
In Paris, April is a great month to take a cruise along the Seine River. On a clear day, hop on a boat and enjoy the city’s main attractions – Notre Dame, Pont Alexandre III, the Orsay Museum, and the Eiffel Tower – from the water.
There are several Seine River experiences, with or without meals, and the choice largely depends on your budget.
- 1-hour Seine River cruise – the most touristy
- The Batobus (hop on, hop off boat tour) – the most local
- Private River Cruise with a skipper – top experience!
- City and River Seine Tour with an Amphibious Bus – the quirkiest!
Look for the Best Views in Paris
Paris is one of the most photogenic cities in the world – especially in spring, when the trees are in full bloom. Springtime photography in Paris is truly a delight.
Seek out the best Eiffel Tower views for those iconic shots, but don’t stop there: the city offers countless other spots perfect for selfies or photo shoots.
Check out our list of the best views in Paris you shouldn’t miss when visiting in April.
Discover the Best Exhibitions in Paris, April 2026
If you’re visiting Paris in April 2026, be sure to check the list of temporary exhibitions, especially if this isn’t your first visit to the city.
Here’s the list of the best exhibitions in Paris April 2026, with something for everyone. It’s still a little early for the full program, so keep clicking back for updates!
Flops?! – Musée des Arts et Métiers, from 14 October 2025 to 17 May 2026
Mummies – Musée de l’Homme, from 19 November until 25 May 2026
Joyaux Dinastiques – Musée de la Marine, until 6 April 2026
Dance – Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, until 28 June 2026
Martin Parr:Global Warning – Jeu de Paume, until 24 May 2026
Here’s the full list of exhibitions, shows, and concerts for your dates in Paris (use the calendar on the left side to select a date range).
Need More Ideas for Paris in April?
If you need more inspiration for your trip to Paris in April 2026, my article on major events in Paris has plenty of ideas.
You can also have a look at my articles about March in Paris or May in Paris. Some of the activities suggested in these pieces are also great for April.
Where to Stay in Paris in April
I recommend Booking.com for booking your hotel in Paris. They have a wide variety of accommodation of all kinds and good rates. In addition, they propose the option to cancel for free, most of the time up to 24 hours.
WAKE UP WITH AN EIFFEL TOWER VIEW
If you have the budget, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of waking up at an amazing hotel with an Eiffel Tower view? Some of the best hotels in Paris also come with awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, especially beautiful during its night show! – Check out the best hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS IN PARIS 3
Le Marais is a central neighborhood in the Seine’s Right Bank, perfect to set your base in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is beautiful, well connected by the metro, and with many beautiful cafes and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Le Marais
- Hotel de Josephine de Bonaparte (charming 4-star hotel inspired by Napoléon’s wife)
- Hotel France Louvre (mid-range hotel in a typical Haussmanian style)
HOTELS AT THE LATIN QUARTER
If you prefer to stay in the Left Bank, the Latin Quarter is also a good option, usually with less expensive options. Stay close to the Luxembourg Gardens or the Jardin des Plantes but also to lively areas like rue du Mouffetard or the Sorbonne, with many bars and restaurants nearby – Click here for the best hotels in the Latin Quarter
- Hotel La Lanterne (4-star hotel located between Notre Dame and Luxembourg Gardens)
- Observatoire Luxembourg (4-star hotel near the Luxembourg Gardens)
Weather in Paris in April
How is the weather in Paris in April? April is a spring month in Paris, and you can generally expect pleasant weather, with mild temperatures and the occasional shower.
The average temperature in Paris in April is around 16°C (61°F) during the day and 8°C (46°F) at night, with rainfall occurring on roughly 14% of days.
What to Wear in Paris in April
What to pack for Paris in April? If you visit Paris in early April, you may see some locals still wearing winter coats, but as the month progresses, the temperatures get warmer. Early mornings and evenings tend to be cold, and you will need to wrap up a little more, but overall, mid-season clothes and layers should do.
Then you will need good walking shoes (ankle boots or winter sneakers are perfect, ideally waterproof), socks and long trousers. Finally, pack long-sleeved tops and sweaters.
A foldable umbrella will be your best friend when you visit Paris in early April, but you can simply find refuge in a Parisian café and resume sightseeing when it stops raining.
Here’s the ultimate guide to what to pack for Paris in April, with a packing list at the end of the post. Before leaving for Paris, check the weather forecast and review your Paris packing list.
If you need some guidance on how to combine things to blend in with the locals, check out my style guides for men and women for this time of the year:
And there you have it – ideas for what to do in Paris in April 2026, including seasonal events to help you plan the perfect Paris trip. Bon voyage!
