March in Paris
All you need to know and the best things to do in Paris in March 2024.
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 2024, go on reading. 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, we’ve got you covered! Below are our must-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 Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- 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! Compare plans and prices amongst the world’s leading programs with Travel Insurance Master
Table of Contents:
- Is Paris Busy in March? Crowds Forecast
- Weather in Paris in March
- What to Wear in Paris March 2024
- Tips for Visiting Paris in March
- Best Things to Do in Paris in March (and March Events, Paris 2024)
- Where to Stay in Paris in March
Related Content
Is Paris 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 River, the canals, and the parks looking for the first spring signs!
What to Wear in Paris, March 2024
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 wear in Paris in March 2024? If you are visiting 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.
You will see winter coats in Paris in early March, but if you come from northern countries where winters are freezing, perhaps you won’t find it necessary. If you are used to cold weather, mid-season waterproof jackets should be fine. Here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in March for a more local look. If you need ideas on how to combine things to blend in with locals, check out our Paris style guides, with proposals for Paris in early March and Paris in late March.
Tips for Visiting Paris in March
This year 2024, 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 has covered COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and since April 2021, unplanned quarantine has been covered, too.
You can also compare plans, prices, and coverage with Travel Insurance Master, a comparison site that will find the perfect fit for you amongst the world’s leading programs. Travel Insurance Master is also the best place to look for senior travelers.
Best Things to Do in Paris in March (and March Events, Paris 2024)
So, 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 Paris events, March 2024, you will find this guide helpful. Here’s the list of the best things to do in Paris in March 2024, 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.
If you plan to visit other parts of France after your days in Paris, check out the most popular French festivals and celebrations by month.
CELEBRATE FOOD IN PARIS
March in Paris comes with many interesting food festivals in Paris. In March, Paris celebrates the Macaron Day (20 March 2024) and the National Cheese Day (27 March 2024). 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 Vins des Vignerons Indépendants (22 to 24 March 2024), with more than 600 independent wine growers from the best wine regions in France presenting their latest wines: reds, whites, and rosés. The salon takes place at Espace Champerret, in Paris 17.
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 quick guide to the best Cherry Blossoms in Paris 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
ENJOY THE LAST DAYS OF VERSAILLES GARDENS FOR FREE
March is the start of spring in Paris, so you should enjoy mild days with some blue skies – perfect weather for being outdoors, especially as the flowers begin to bloom.
Take the chance to visit the first blooms in the Versailles Gardens for free before the Fountains & Musical Gardens Shows begin in April.
From April 2024, 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. There are also many interesting things to do in Versailles (other than the Château, so why not spend one night on site and visit everything?
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 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 – check out the program and opening times
The first and (still) of the best immersive experiences in Paris, the venue isn’t a mere complement, but rather, it’s an integral part of the experience. Its monumental metal architecture and long history have forged the art project’s identity, and the various features of the building, including the chimney, drying tower, pool, and water tank, are the ideal setting for futuristic digital exhibitions.
So step inside the Atelier des Lumières to watch immersive digital exhibitions that will transport you to the pictorial worlds of the world’s most famous artists.
FUN IN THE PARK WITH A TREASURE HUNT
If you are blessed with a sunny day in Paris, by all means, take full advantage of it and go outside for a treasure hunt and a bit of spring sunshine!
Treasure Hunts and Scavenger Hunts are fun ways to explore a city. Treasure Hunts take you past many local attractions, opening your eyes to so many things you would ordinarily walk straight past.
>> Take this self-guided Scavenger Hunt in the Tuileries Garden to help a lost soul find its way to its final resting place.
>> Take this self-guided Treasure Hunt in the Luxembourg Gardens to find Queen Marie de Médicis’ most precious treasure.
Both hunts are great for learning more about two of the most beautiful gardens in Paris.
CHECK OUT THE BEST EXHIBITIONS IN PARIS, MARCH 2024
If you visit Paris in March 2024, take the chance to enjoy your favorite museums without the crowds. If this is not your first time in Paris, you may want to check the list of temporary exhibitions as well; there’s always something interesting in the museums and art galleries in Paris!
Here’s the list of the best exhibitions in Paris, March 2024, with something for every traveler.
Notre Dame de Paris, from Builders to Restorers – Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from 15 February 2023 to 29 April 2024
La Mode en Mouvement – Palais Galliera, from 16 June 2023 to 15 March 2024
Loading. Urban Art in the Digital Age – Grand Palais Immersif, from 6 December 2023 to 21 July 2024
Prehistomania – Musée de l’Homme, until 24 May 2024
Mark Rothko – Fondation Louis Vuitton, until 2 April 2024
Rudolf Nureyev at the Paris Opera – Opéra Garnier, from 21 December to 5 May 2024
The Egypt of the Pharaohs, from Cheops to Ramses II – Atelier des Lumières, from 9 February 2024 to 5 January 2025
The Orientalists: Ingres, Délacroix, Gérôme… – Atelier des Lumières, from 9 February 2024 to 5 January 2025
Corps à Corps, History(s) of Photography – Centre Pompidou, from 6 September 2023 to 25 March 2024
Félins – Grande Galerie de l’Evolution, from 22 March 2023 to 21 April 2024
Immersive Experience “Aura Invalides” – Musée de l’Armée, from 22 Septembre 2023 to 31 December 2024
Johnny Hallyday, l’Exposition à Paris – Porte de Versailles, from 22 December 2023 to 19 June 2024.
NEED MORE IDEAS FOR PARIS IN MARCH 2024?
Need more things to do in Paris in March? Have a look at our articles about February in Paris and April in Paris. Some of the proposals for these months are also great for March in Paris.
Where to Stay in Paris in March
Booking.com is our recommended site for booking your hotel in Paris. They have a wide variety of hotels 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 SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
The neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on the Left Bank, is a great place to put your luggage down in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is picturesque and central, with many entertainment, beautiful cafes, and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Saint-Germain
- Relais Christine (4-star hotel in a 16th-century private mansion)
- Hotel Chaplain Paris Rive Gauche (mid-range hotel a few meters from Luxembourg Gardens)
HOTELS IN THE LOUVRE DISTRICT
If you prefer to stay in the Right Bank, the Louvre District is a good option. Stay close to the Louvre Museum, the Seine River, and the Tuileries Gardens in a lively area with many bars and restaurants nearby – Click here for the best hotels near the Louvre
- Hotel Paris Louvre Opera (mid-range hotel in a lively area with many choices for dining out)
- Hotel Regina (5-star hotel, only a few steps from the Louvre and Tuileries Garden)
And there you have it: our quick guide to Paris March 2024 with what to do and the best seasonal events. Bon voyage!
