Paris in Spring
Paris in spring is a beautiful place to be. After a gray and gloomy winter, flowers begin to bloom, and the city becomes a more vibrant, fun place to visit.
And so do locals’ social lives! As spring arrives, Parisians get excited about flower shows, festivals, street fairs, and outdoor flea markets. You will also see them spending time in the city’s great parks and Parisian cafés and terraces return to life in springtime.
If you’re in Paris over the next few months, follow this quick guide to Paris in the spring so you, too, can make the most out of springtime in Paris. If you are in a hurry, jump directly to what to do in Paris in the spring.
Article updated on 26 February 2025 with the event dates for 2025.
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 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
- 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.
When is Spring in Paris, France
When is spring in Paris, France? The spring months in Paris are March, April, and May. Check out my specific guides for these three months, with seasonal activities, the best temporary exhibitions in the city, and top tips.
5 Ways to Get the Most out of Springtime in Paris
1. SPRING IN PARIS IS A SHOULDER SEASON
Except for the week around Easter, Paris in springtime is relatively quiet before the summer hordes arrive. Take the opportunity to visit the city’s top sights, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Versailles, without too much company and enjoy wandering around town with the locals.
During Easter week, Paris becomes a coveted destination for a cultural holiday in Europe, and skip-the-line tickets are paramount to avoid the longest lines. Below, I list the main Paris attractions you will need advance tickets for and have added links to my favorite trusty providers for your convenience.
- The Eiffel Tower
- The Louvre Museum
- Versailles Palace and Gardens
- Orsay Museum
- Catacombs of Paris
- Disneyland Paris
2. LEARN ABOUT THE SPRING HOLIDAYS IN PARIS AND FRANCE
There are many holidays and events in Paris in the spring when it is recommended to book things in advance. This is especially important with train and flight tickets from /to Paris. Here’s the full list of spring holidays in France this year:
20 and 21 April 2025 (Sunday and Monday Easter)
12 April to 28 April 2025 is a school holiday in Paris (spring holiday, zone C), and parents commonly take one week off for a family cultural trip somewhere else in France or Europe
1st May 2024 (Labor Day)
8 May 2024 is Armistice Day, the commemoration of the end of WW2
29 May 2024 Ascension Day
9 June 2025 Pentecost Day.
3. FLEXIBILITY IS KEY
If you can be flexible with dates and pick the right moment, Paris in spring can be cheap and the attractions quiet.
Visit Paris outside the holidays mentioned above and look for accommodation and airline deals. Often, empty hotel rooms and airplane seats need to be filled at the last minute, meaning there is room for some off-season bargains.
4. STAY IN AN AREA THAT’S CLOSE TO EVERYTHING
Walking around Paris in the springtime is a pleasure, so I recommend staying central for short or no metro rides and more walks.
There are so many beautiful things to see in Paris; most places in central Paris will be close enough to at least a couple of things you have on your itinerary. By strategically planning where you stay will limit the amount of time you spend in the metro.
If you are visiting Paris for the first time, have a look at my Paris Arrondissements guide to find your bearings in Paris.
5. WHAT TO PACK FOR SPRINGTIME IN PARIS
What to wear in Paris in spring? Spring in Paris means unpredictable weather, with warm and sunny days but also rainy and chilly days. You’ll still want to pack some warm clothes, particularly if you’re visiting Paris in April, as it can sometimes feel colder than you expect.
If you visit Paris in springtime, you need to be prepared for anything! When thinking about clothes to wear in Paris, layering is essential, and your packing list will definitely include a jacket or a trench coat for rainy days.
Items like a foldable umbrella and a light scarf will be your best allies in the Paris spring season, so don’t forget to include them in your packing list.
Check out my packing lists and style guides for Paris in the springtime and get ready for a wonderful spring trip to the French capital.
Best Things to Do in Paris in Spring
1. EXPERIENCE PARIS’ CAFÉ CULTURE
Spring in Paris is the ideal time to enjoy the sidewalk cafés. With their laid-back feel, Parisian cafés play an essential role in the city’s cultural and social life.
Sitting out in the sunshine and watching the world go by while drinking a cup of coffee or a glass of rosé is one of the pleasures of spring time in Paris. You can enjoy Paris’ sidewalk cafés in their full splendor – outdoors, without the crowds yet, but with enough life to live up to the atmosphere.
2. VISIT THE PARKS AND GARDENS
Paris boasts beautiful green spaces, so make the most of this glorious time of year with a tour to the most beautiful gardens in Paris to take in the fresh air.
There are plenty of options, but the Tuileries Garden, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the Jardin des Plantes are the most central. There are many things to do in these gardens, from quirky museums to beautiful carrousels, puppet shows, or treasure hunts. They also have stalls offering drinks and sometimes also cheap eats.
In the lesser central districts, the rolling lawns of Parc Buttes-Chaumont and Parc de Belleville offer simpler pleasures and great views.
TIP: For a fun day outdoors, consider this Tuileries Garden Scavenger Hunt or this Luxembourg Gardens Treasure Hunt!
3. CHECK OUT THE SPRING BLOOMS
If you visit Paris in the spring, don’t miss the spring blooms, which add a touch of color to the city.
The cherry blossoms are photographers’ favorites (check out my cherry blossoms guide for the best locations) and they are flowering all over Paris in April, though when exactly depends on the weather. There are also beautiful magnolia and wisteria flowers, as well as elaborate floral displays at the city’s parks.
You can also head to the Marché aux Fleurs on the Ile de la Cité to buy yourself a bouquet at the daily flower market.
4. TAKING TO THE WATER
In spring, when the days are longer, and the weather starts getting warm, locals crowd the banks of the Seine River for waterside pétanque, drinks along the bar-terraces, or casual picnics with their feet dangling over the water.
One of the most popular things to do in Paris in spring for visitors is a night cruise on the Seine River to admire the city’s main historical monuments. A Canal Saint-Martin boat tour, instead, allows you to explore other lesser-known (but also lovely) areas in Paris.
If you are in Paris for a special occasion or with a group, try sailing the Seine on a private boat with a skipper and perhaps a glass of champagne.
5. SEE THE FOUNTAINS OF VERSAILLES
Don’t miss the water shows in the Gardens of Versailles! Versailles is one of the best places to visit in spring, and during the garden shows, you can also explore the most secret grooves (usually closed in wintertime) and admire the Versailles Fountains in full swing.
The Musical Fountains Show usually takes place on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. You can visit the Musical Fountains Shows alone (without the Château or the Trianons) or buy a combined ticket to the Château of Versailles and Gardens to save time and money – Click here to buy your tickets to Château de Versailles and Garden Show
6. CELEBRATE THE FRENCH BAGUETTE
In spring, Paris celebrates La Fête du Pain, a bread festival to honor one of France’s most precious foods.
For this food festival, the city invites bakers in the largest ephemeral bakery, set up in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, to show their know-how and best pains through outdoor events, always in a festive atmosphere. Of course, the traditional Parisian baguette is represented together with more elaborate bread.
During this event (8 to 18 May 2025), the city also chooses the Best Baguette in Paris, and it is a fun and, at the same time, important contest. Indeed, the winner has the honor of serving his baguettes to the Presidential Palace for a year!
7. EAT SEASONAL SPRING FOODS
Eating seasonal produce is an important part of everyday French life that can help you eat healthier, support local farmers, and save money.
Indeed, most Parisian bistros and restaurants only use fresh seasonal produce, which means that their menus continuously change according to the seasons.
Check out this list of seasonal produce in France (spring) and look for popular food in Paris that includes them. If you are renting an apartment in Paris, you can also visit open-air markets like Marché Aligre or Marché Place des Fêtes and buy seasonal produce to cook in your Parisian home.
- Artichokes /Artichauts
- Asparagus /Asperges
- Avocados /Avocats
- Beets /Betteraves
- Carrots /Carottes
- English or Snow peas /Mange-tout
- Fava beans /Haricots de Fava
- Green beans /Haricots verts
- Potatoes /Pommes de terre
- Radishes /Radis
- Rhubarb /Rhubarbe
- Spinach /Épinard
- Bitter lettuces /Laitues amères (Roquette, Endives françaises/belges, Escarole, Chicorée)
- Vidalia onions /Oignons de Vidalia
- Zucchini /Zucchini
- Apricots /Abricots
- Cherries /Cerises
- Strawberries /Fraises
8. PARIS SPRING FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Beyond holidays, there are plenty of annual events to get excited about Paris in the springtime.
The Paris Marathon (13 April 2025) is a great race to watch or run, and the Nuit des Musées (18 May 2025) sees Paris’ museums open their doors for several evenings of special events and late openings.
There are many Paris food festivals, like the Salon du Vin et des Vignerons Indépendants (21-25 March) or the National Cheese Day (27 March). Spring in Paris is also the season of several music festivals, like Saint-Germain’s Jazz Festival (12 to 19 May) or the Villette Sonique festival (date TBD).
Spring in Paris: Conclusion
In short, spring is one of the best times to travel to Paris. The clear blue sky and warm light showcase Paris at its best, and the temperature is ideal for exploring the streets and sights of the city.
Paris in springtime is also the best time to visit to avoid crowds, at least until the school holidays or Easter arrive. Enjoy Paris’ main tourist attractions without the lines or very short lines!
Bring comfortable shoes for walking, and don’t forget a jacket and an umbrella in case it rains, and you’re in for a treat in Paris.
Have you spent spring in Paris? What are your favorite things to do in Paris in spring?
Pin it now & read it later
