Paris in March 2023 – Quick Guide by a Local

March in Paris 2023

All you need to know and the best things to do in Paris in March 2023.

In Paris, March is a wonderful month. If you are visiting Paris in March, you will see the start of spring in Paris. The trees will soon be blossoming, and spring flowers will be pushing through the ground in the city parks.

The crowds are not quite here yet, so March is the last opportunity to avoid long lines at popular attractions before the high season kicks off.

March in Paris is also a month full of festivals – food, music, cinema, and arts. With so much to see and do around town, it’s impossible to be bored in Paris in March!

If you want to visit Paris in March 2023, go on reading. Here’s a quick guide to get the most out of your time in the French capital.

Is Paris in Busy in March? Crowds Forecast

Is Paris busy in March? March is still the low season in Paris and one of the rare months when the French capital does not see the crowds.

While crowds do start creeping up in March (especially if you get an early Easter), this is still often a good month for last-minute getaways to Paris and for exploring the city and its main attractions without the crowds.

Weather in Paris in March

Is March a good time to visit Paris? The Paris weather in March is hit-and-miss, and you may get grey, rainy days.

The weather in Paris in March easily oscillates between cold and warm. The average temperature in Paris in March is 13 Cº (highs) and 5 Cº (lows), with a 14% chance of rain. As the month progresses, days get sunnier.

As soon as the sun shines in March, you will see the locals invading the banks of the Seine, the canals, and the parks looking for the first spring signs!

What to Wear in Paris in March [2023]

March in Paris sees changeable weather but usually mild temperatures. Early mornings and evenings tend to be cold, and you will need to wrap up a little more. Overall, mid-season clothes and layers should suffice.

What to pack for Paris in March 2023? If you visit Paris in March, it is important to pack good walking shoes (ankle boots or winter sneakers are perfect), socks and tights, long trousers, long-sleeve tops, and sweaters.

We also recommend packing a light scarf and a travel umbrella for those rainy days in Paris.

Tips for Visiting Paris in March

This year 2023, there are no public holidays in March, so we won’t stress telling you to book everything asap. Still, you will have more choice of accommodation and better prices for everything if you book in advance (but no stress…).

If you plan on visiting Paris in March, always have some indoor activities in mind for the occasional showers. If you need some inspiration, check out our suggestions on what to do in Paris when it rains.

A week before the departure, look at our Transportation Strikes in Paris post, which is always up to date. You never know with the French . . . 😉

Need insurance for France? Be sure to check SafetyWing, our trusted travel insurance policy for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). Since August 2020, it covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and since April 2021, unplanned quarantine is covered, too. 

Best Things to Do in Paris in March 2023 (and March Events in Paris)

Are you wondering what to do in Paris in March? If you visit Paris for the first time, you may want to tick off some of the main attractions on your travel bucket list. The itineraries below are thought for first-time visits to Paris, and they are planned around the city’s main attractions and neighborhoods:

• 1 day in Paris
• 2 days in Paris
• 3 days in Paris
• 4 days in Paris
• 5 days in Paris
• 6 days in Paris
• 7 days in Paris

If you are looking for the best March events in Paris, you will find this guide helpful. Here’s the list of the best things to do in Paris in March 2023, seasonal events included, with something for everyone. Some of the events (or the dates of certain events) are still to be confirmed, so keep clicking for the latest updates.

CELEBRATE FOOD IN PARIS

In March there are always many interesting food festivals in Paris. The month kicks off with the best Parisian baguette contest (date still to be defined). The winner of this most awaited contest in Paris will have the honor of providing the Elysée Palace (the President’s official residence) with his baguettes for one year!

In March, Paris also celebrates Macaron Day (20 March 2023) and National Cheese Day (27 March 2023). These events are the perfect excuse to try two of the most famous foods in Paris.

Wine passionates visiting Paris in late March will love the Salon des Vignerons Indépendants (17 to 19 March 2023), with more than 600 independent wine growers from the best wine regions in France presenting their latest wines: reds, whites, and rosés.

LOOK FOR THE FIRST CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN PARIS

The blooming of cherry trees is one of the most celebrated events in Paris in March. This is a brief spectacle that lasts a few weeks, plus it is subject to the weather’s vagaries, so it is better to know which direction to go so as not to miss them!

For early cherry blossoms, those happening in Paris in early March, head to Champ de Mars. If you are visiting Paris in late March, then your best bet is the Trocadéro Gardens. 

Check out our Cherry Blossoms in Paris quick guide for the full list of places and the approximate dates for March in Paris.

MARCH IN DISNEYLAND PARIS

March is an excellent month to visit Disneyland Paris. The crowds are not there yet, and it is one of the last opportunities to meet Frozen before it gets too warm for her!

A day trip to Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular excursions from Paris, and it is very easy to organize from the French capital. If your travel dates are flexible, check out our Disneyland Paris crowd calendar and pick one of the days with lesser crowds – Click here to buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris

Take the chance to visit the first blooms in the Versailles Gardens for free before the Fountains Show and the Musical Garden Show begin in April.

From April 2023, the Versailles Gardens will be open only for the shows, and you will need to buy an entrance ticket to visit them. The land around the Grand Canal and the forest will remain free to access.

For a memorable day out in Versailles, combine a stroll around the Versailles Gardens with a bike ride in the surrounding forest.

SEEK THE SPRING SUNSHINE ON A DAY TRIP FROM PARIS

Now that winter is on the way out take the opportunity to embark on one of the best day trips from Paris to explore the city’s surroundings.

You don’t need to go too far to get a taste of the Paris countryside: small towns such as Auvers-sur-Oise (Van Gogh’s latest home) or the medieval city of Provins are at only one hour by train.

Also, there are many beautiful castles near Paris, or you can decide to go further to visit the WW2 Sites in Normandy or the wonderful Mont St Michel. In the end, the hard part is to choose where to go!

BE THE FIRST TO ENJOY ATELIER DES LUMIÈRES’ NEW EXHIBITION

L’Atelier des Lumières is the first center of Digital Art in Paris, proposing unique immersive art exhibitions for all. Be one of the first visitors to enjoy its new exhibitions (from 17 February 2023) ‘Chagall, Paris – New York’.

After Klimt, Van Gogh, Cézanne and the Impressionists, this exhibition looks back to Marc Chagall’s creative work and his relationship with nature, light, and colors. The Chaall exhibition is followed by a 10-minute creation based on works by Paul Klee.

The Color Obstacle Rush Paris 2023 is a 5km race to lie with your family or friends. There’s no time limit, no winners or losers: the main goal is to have fun! The track comes with 20 fun obstacles, 6 color zones, 20 music zones, and surprise performances all along the course for a maximum of fun.

To participate, head to the official website to register (https://colorobstaclerush.fr/).

Here’s a taste of what March in Paris 2023 has to offer, and there’s something for every traveler.

Frida Khalo, beyond Appearances – Palais Galliera, from 15 September 2022 to 5 March 2023

Expo Hyperréalisme “Ceci n’est pas un Corps” – Musée Maillol, from 8 September 2022 to 5 March 2023.

Arts and Prehistory – Musée de l’Homme, from 16 November 2022 to 22 May 2023

Art Déco: France-America – Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from 21 October 2022 to 6 March 2023

Gold by Yves Saint Laurent – Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, from 14 October 2022 to 14 May 2023

Chagall, Paris – New York – Atélier des Lumières, from 17 February 2023 to 7 January 2024

Années 80 – Musée des Arts Décoratifs, from 13 October 2022 to 16 April 2023

Elliott Erwitt – Musée Maillol, from 23 March to 15 August 2023

Manet, Degas – Musée d’Orsay, from 28 March to 23 July 2023

Giovanni Bellini – Musée Jacquemart André, from 3 March to 17 July 2023

Zanele Muholi – MEP Maison Européenne de la Photographie, from 1 February to 21 May 2023

La Fabuloserie a 40 ans – Halle Saint Pierre, from 25 January to 25 August 2023

Picasso et la Préhistoire – Musée de l’Homme, from 18 February to 12 June 2023

Notre Dame de Paris, dès Bâtisseurs aux Restaurateurs – Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from 15 February 2023 to 29 April 2024

Avant L’Orage – Bourse du Commerce, from 8 February to 11 September 2023

Colors Festival Paris 2023 (Street Art) – 105 Boulevard McDonald Paris 19, from 4 February to 10 December 2023

Germaine Richier – Centre Pompidou, from 1 March to 12 June 2023

And there you have it, our quick guide to March in Paris help you plan your trip to Paris in March 2023. Bon voyage!

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