April in Paris: Beautiful, Unpredictable, and Worth Every Risk
All you need to know for your next trip to Paris in April 2026. What to expect from the weather, what to pack, what locals love about April, and insider tips. If you’re in a hurry, jump straight to my curated list of the best things to do in Paris in April here.
April is Paris at its most seductive and its most frustrating – sometimes on the same day! After a long grey winter, the cherry blossoms are finally out, café terraces start to open, and the city looks exactly like every photo that made you want to visit in the first place. Then Easter weekend arrives, and so do three million other people who had exactly the same idea.
April is also a month of collective hope and occasional disappointment. Every warm sunny morning carries the risk of a grey afternoon. Every perfect terrace lunch might end under an umbrella. You’re never quite sure if spring has truly arrived – or is just visiting.
April is Paris almost delivered – and sometimes that’s even better than the real thing! Keep reading to find out when to visit, what to expect, and how to make April give you the Paris you’ve been dreaming of.
Is April a Good Time to Visit Paris?
April Rating: ★★★★☆
✅ Best for: First-time visitors, families, romance-seekers.
⚠️ Watch out for: Unpredictable weather, Easter crowds.
💡 Local verdict: April is spring at its best if you time it right. The weather may be unpredictable, but avoid the Easter rush and you’re already off to a great start!
Quick stats:
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F) highs / 8°C (46°F) lows
- Crowd level: 6/10 – Moderate. Rises sharply by Easter
- Hotel prices: Medium-High (Easter weekend= Very High)
- Book in advance: Yes. 2-3 months ahead minimum. More if you visit during Easter.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris in April? Here’s What to Boook First
April is shouler travel season in France, but Easter NOT! Book transportation, accommodation, and tickets to the main sights ahead of time:
» 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
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
Weather in Paris in April: Perfect Spring Days… Interrupted by Unpredictable Rain
April is the month I never fully trust. I’ve lived in Paris long enough to know that the perfect 22°C afternoon on 12 April means nothing about 13 April. My winter coat stays by the door until May without exception, and every Parisian I know does the same.
If you visit Paris in April, you’re gambling on spring – and sometimes you win spectacularly, and sometimes you spend three days in drizzle. The secret is that both versions of April in Paris are worth it.
→ Read my curated list of things to do in Paris when it rains
Average temperatures range from 8°C (46°F) in the morning to around 16°C (61°F) in the afternoon – perfect weather for a spring stroll in the park.
As the month progresses, the weather becomes more settled and noticeably warmer. The cherry blossoms may be gone, but spring in Paris is finally at its best.
Temperature in Paris in April (Week-by-Week Breakdown)
If you love data, here’s a week-by-week breakdown (source meteofrance.com):
Early April (April 1-10):
- Typical highs:11-14°C (52-57°F)
- Typical lows: 4-7°C (39-44°F)
- Still close to March – cool, unpredictable, coat weather in mornings
Mid April (April 11-20):
- Typical highs: 14-18°C (57-64°F)
- Typical lows: 6-9°C (43-48°F)
- Spring arriving more consistently, I start planning my first apéritifs on a terrace on warm days
Late April (April 21-30):
- Typical highs: 17-22°C (63-72°F)
- Typical lows: 8-11°C (46-52°F)
- Noticeably warmer, approaching
- May levels – best week of the month! I plan my first side trips and day hikes
The Extremes to know:
- April has surprised Paris with a record high of 28.7°C (84°F) in 2018 and a record low of -2°C (28°F) in 1991. Pack layers regardless of the forecast.
Does it rain a lot in Paris in April?
April averages rain on around 9 days of the month, not much more than May. However, the difference is how that rain falls.
May showers tend to be brief afternoon events that pass in 20 minutes. April rain is more sustained, greyer, and more likely to last several hours or an entire day.
April rain in Paris is rarely torrential. It’s the persistent grey drizzle type, perfectly manageable with a proper umbrella and a plan to duck into a café or museum when it arrives.
My rule as a local: always carry a compact umbrella in your day bag and never cancel plans because of a forecast shower. Some of my best Paris days have started grey and ended in golden afternoon light!
Is Paris Busy in April? Crowds Forecast
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.
BUT Paris in April is crazy busy during the weeks of Easter and spring school holidays!
School holidays in Paris this year are from 18 to 30 April, 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.
Easter weekend brings one of the biggest tourist influxes of the entire spring season, with Versailles, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame at near-summer capacity.
If you’re considering a trip to Paris around the Easter weekend, I’ve put together my best insider tips here.
Cherry Blossoms in Paris Done Differently
Paris doesn’t celebrate cherry blossoms officially the way Japan or even some European cities do, but they’re definitely one of the highlights of any trip to Paris in April. There’s no official bloom forecast, no organized viewing events. What you get instead is something arguably more magical – you’re walking along an ordinary street, and suddenly a tunnel of pink blooms appears above you, with a few locals quietly pausing to snap photos on their phones, just as delighted as you are.
Cherry blossoms in Paris typically peak between late March and mid-April, though the exact week can shift by two to three weeks depending on winter temperatures. On my way to the supermarket, I pass through an alley lined with cherry trees; that’s the only way I know it’s time to start planning my photo wanderings.
My guide to the best cherry blossom in Paris highlights the most popular locations, the expected bloom times, and some tips for capturing the perfect photos. Keep in mind, though, that “popular” also means overcrowded – and it’s not always pleasant (too many influencers posing!) unless you plan your visits on weekdays and at sunrise.
Most guides (and I have to admit it, my article too) send people to Parc de Sceaux – spectacular, but extremely busy on weekends – and Champs de Mars. If you’re looking for lesser-known, more enjoyable alternatives, here are the spots I actually visit to enjoy one of my favorite events in Paris:
- Square de la Roquette (Paris 11) – a tiny square with extraordinary trees, almost never mentioned.
- Promenade Plantée (Paris 12) – cherry blossoms arching above the Viaduc des Arts galleries below.
- Boulevard Magenta (Paris 9 to 10) – a long stretch of trees in a local neighborhood, with virtually no tourists.
- Allée des Cygnes (Paris 15) – the narrow island in the Seine with cherry trees and almost no crowds.
- Parc des Buttes Chaumont (Paris 19) – convenient for me, as it’s also my jogging spot.
What to Do in Paris in April 2026 (+ Events in Paris, April 2026)
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
Paris is, of course, far more than the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Versailles. To experience the city like a local, combine any of these itineraries with some of the best things to do in Paris in April for a truly unforgettable trip.
Explore Paris by Bike
April is one of my favourite months to cycle in Paris. I love riding my vintage Peugeot along rue de Rivoli – now reserved along its entire length for cyclists and pedestrians – from the Bastille all the way to the Tuileries Garden, with some of Paris’s most iconic landmarks passing by on either side. Fresh spring air, cherry blossoms overhead, almost no cars. It’s hard to beat!
If you want to explore Paris on two wheels, my Paris by Bike guide covers everything you need to navigate the city safely and confidently. For a guided introduction to the main sights, this top-rated three-hour bike tour is consistently well reviewed.
Want to venture further? Both Versailles by bike and this self-guided ride along the Canal de l’Ourcq are beautiful in April.
Welcome Spring with a Colorful Street Art Tour
After a long grey winter, nothing signals spring to me quite like a street art walk through the 13th arrondissement. Once known for stark high-rises and characterless streets, the district has been transformed by large-scale works from renowned street artists worldwide, making it one of Paris’s most unexpectedly vibrant neighbourhoods.
I’ve put together a self-guided Street Art Walking Tour of Paris 13 following the routes I actually take – perfect for a leisurely, off-the-beaten-path morning with plenty of colourful photo opportunities. If you’d prefer an expert guide, this Urban Art Murals walking tour and this Belleville Street Art walking tour are consistently top-rated.
Paris Marathon: Embrace it or Avoid it
The Paris Marathon this year takes place on Sunday, April 12. And if you’re visiting that weekend, it will shape your entire day whether you plan for it or not. Dozens of central streets close from early morning, crossing the city by Metro, taxi, or foot takes significantly longer than usual, and the areas most affected stretch from the Champs-Élysées to Bastille, along the Seine riverbanks and into the Bois de Vincennes.
Embrace it: The atmosphere along the route is genuinely joyful and worth experiencing even if you’re not running. I’ve cheered on friends with handmade signs more times than I can count – it’s one of those unexpectedly festive Paris days that stays with you. Position yourself anywhere along the route from 8 a.m. onwards and just enjoy it.
Avoid it: If crowds and closed streets aren’t your idea of a good Sunday, this is actually a perfect day to leave central Paris entirely. Take the RER to one of the small towns near Paris (Provins, Auvers-sur-Oise, and Fontainebleau are my favorites to visit in April) or head up to Montmartre, which sits above the marathon chaos.
If you’re running: Travel to the start by Metro and check ratp.fr the day before for directions. Trains get extremely crowded on race morning – assume you may not board the first one that arrives.
April in Paris is Perfect for a Treasure Hunt
Paris is home to many interesting museums, but if you’re lucky enough to catch one of those bright, blue-sky days April days, head outside instead – that’s exactly what Parisians do!
Treasure hunts and scavenger 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.
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 wonderful ways to discover two of Paris’s most beautiful 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.
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.
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).
Easter in Paris 2026
Easter in Paris: What to Expect
Easter in Paris is simultaneously a deeply French Catholic tradition and the city’s most spectacular chocolate festival – sometimes both on the same street corner, which is very Paris.
Holy Thursday and Good Friday are NOT public holidays in France – unlike in the UK, Spain, or Germany – so most shops and restaurants stay open as normal. Easter Monday IS a public holiday, so check individual venues for their Easter Monday hours before you go.
The chocolate shop windows alone are worth the trip. Every serious Parisian chocolatier creates elaborate seasonal displays – chocolate bells, eggs, and fish (the traditional French Easter symbol is actually a fish, not a rabbit, which surprises almost everyone) – and they are spectacular! To turn this into a proper experience, I recommend this Chocolate, Pastries & Macaron Walking Tour of Saint-Germain. Or my own free, self-guided chocolate tour of Le Marais – a route I put together myself and still do regularly when I need a serious chocolate fix.
Is Easter a good time to visit Paris?
It depends entirely on your tolerance for crowds, but personally, Easter is a period where I avoid the most central arrondissements because I have seen very insane crowds in places like the Tuileries Garden, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Luxembourg Gardens.
My honest advice: If you can choose, avoid Easter weekend itself and visit later instead. This year, the last two weeks of April is one of the most underrated windows of the entire spring – crowds drop noticeably, prices ease, and the weather is often identical.
Book Your Tickets Months Ahead (with One Exception)
Easter is not the time for spontaneous sightseeing. For the main attractions, book as far in advance as possible:
The Catacombs exception: Due to ongoing issues with ticket fraud, Paris Catacombs tickets are only released 7 days in advance. Set an alarm for midnight exactly 7 days before your planned visit and purchase the moment they go live. They sell out within minutes!
Transportation Strikes Over Easter
Easter is also a popular period for transport strikes in France. Union workers often time industrial action for maximum public impact, and a long Easter weekend is exactly that. Check my article about Transportation Strikes in Paris and France in the week before your visit for the latest updates.
What to Pack for Paris in April
April packing is where I see tourists get it most wrong. They check the average temperature (16°C/61°F), think “mild spring,” and arrive with a light jacket and sandals. Then they spend their first morning shivering at 7°C waiting for the Louvre to open, and their third afternoon sheltering from a sustained April shower that isn’t stopping anytime soon.
In France, there’s a saying: “En avril, ne te découvre pas d’un fil” (“In April, don’t shed a single layer”), and it’s wise to keep these words in mind when packing for your April trip to Paris. April demands more respect than May – which means slightly warmer layers and heavier clothing than you might expect.
What I Actually Wear in April:
- A proper, mid-weight coat (not a light jacket, a real coat)
- Waterproof or water-resistant shoes
- A compact umbrella (non-negotiable for April)
- Proper layering system
What Tourists Always Regret Packing for April:
- Sandals (it’s too cold)
- Flip flops (wait for June)
- Brand-new shoes (blisters almost guaranteed, foot pain)
What Tourists Regret NOT Packing for April:
- At least one warm evening outfit (April evenings drop to 6-9°C even when the afternoon is beautiful)
- A scarf (April wind in Paris is real, especially near the Seine and on the Eiffel Tower esplanade)
- A dressier outfit for a night out (a little black dress or a button-down shirt and smart trousers for men).
A proper layering system is key for an April trip to Paris. April’s temperature swing within a single day is the biggest of any spring month. My April formula: thermal or long-sleeve base layer + sweater + coat in the morning. By afternoon I’m often down to just the sweater. By evening the coat is back on. You need all three options in your bag simultaneously.
For more details, read my 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 necessary.
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:
Where to Stay in Paris in April
Staying central – or slightly farther out but near a metro station for better rates – is always a smart choice. For an April trip, though, I’d pick Le Marais: its atmospheric cafés, galleries, and small museums are perfect for cooler spring days, while its hidden gardens shine when the sun comes out.
Find the right accommodation in Paris – whether it’s a hotel or guesthouse, holiday apartment, or private apartment – I have them all! Book your accommodation by using the map below.
Book early – ideally 2 to 3 months ahead – for availability and best prices in April. If you visit Paris during Easter, book as soon as you can.
Still Deciding When To Visit?
- Paris in March (early spring markets)
- Paris in May (Nuit des Musées, French Open)
- Compare all months or plan your visit around one of the major events in Paris.
April is a blend of city perfection and bustling crowds. It’s when the Paris you imagined begins to reveal itself – and I secretly love it, despite the Easter crowds and the occasional rain. Bon voyage!
