At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season
Paris in April
By Harry Nara · Last updated
Paris in April offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for garden strolls & runners. Expect temperatures of 8–17°C, around 9 days of rain, and medium crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around €80–150 for mid-range travellers. Book three to four weeks ahead for the best mid-range rates and the widest hotel choice.
Contents15 sections
#Weather in Paris in April
Paris in April averages 8–17°C (46–63°F) with around 9 days of rain, and crowds are medium.
| Measure | April in Paris |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 17°C / 63°F |
| Overnight low | About 8°C / 46°F |
| Wet days | About 9 |
| Sunset | 8:21pm on the 1st, 9:04pm by the 30th |
| Big dates | Paris Marathon, Sunday 4 April 2027; school holidays about 3 to 19 April |
| Crowds | Moderate, busier during the school holidays |
Figures are Météo-France 1991–2020 normals for Paris-Montsouris.
What that actually means for your trip:
- April is changeable. A warm, sunny afternoon at 20°C can be followed by a grey, chilly day at 10°C, and the showers come and go.
- The mornings and evenings are cool, close to single figures, so a jacket is needed after dark.
- The trees come into leaf through the month, with blossom in the parks in the first half and fresh green by the end.
- The evenings lengthen fast, with sunset after 9pm by the last days of the month.
Is April a good time to visit Paris? Yes, it is one of the loveliest months, with the city's parks in blossom and the terraces reopening, and prices still below the summer peak. Pack for showers and cool evenings. In 2027 Easter falls at the end of March, so April has no public holidays, but the school holidays fill the museums in the first half of the month.
#April's calendar
The Paris Marathon is set for Sunday 4 April 2027, its 50th edition and the first under a new organiser, with the course running from the Champs-Élysées through the city and both of its great woods; check the official site for the route and closures. Roads along the course close from early morning, and some Métro stations nearby are affected.
The spring school holidays for Paris run from about 3 to 19 April 2027, when French families visit the city's museums and the queues at the big sights grow.
Easter itself, on 28 March, and Easter Monday, on the 29th, fall before the month begins.
The gardens are at their best.
The cherry trees of the Parc de Sceaux, south of the city, and of the Jardin des Plantes flower around the turn of March and April, and the Grandes Eaux Musicales, the fountain shows in the gardens of Versailles, start their season in the spring on weekends and selected days.
#What to Do in Paris in April
Solo Travellers
Walk the Promenade Plantée and the Coulée verte when the trees are coming into leaf, then visit the Musée Rodin, whose garden of sculptures is at its freshest in spring.
The Musée d'Orsay is free on the first Sunday of the month, 4 April 2027, the same day as the marathon.
Couples
Picnic under the blossom in the Jardin des Plantes, or take an evening walk along the Seine as the light lasts past 8pm.
Notre-Dame, reopened since December 2024, is free to visit; go early or late to avoid the longest queues.
Families
The Jardin du Luxembourg, with its pony rides, puppet theatre and toy boats, and the Jardin d'Acclimatation with its rides, are made for spring days.
The Cité des Sciences at La Villette is a good choice for a rainy afternoon in the school holidays.
Groups
Take the train to Versailles for a Grandes Eaux day in the gardens, or spend a Saturday at the flea market of Saint-Ouen, followed by an evening in the bars of the Marais.
#Getting Around
Charles de Gaulle is linked to Gare du Nord and Châtelet by the RER B, a 35 to 45-minute ride, and Orly to the centre by the driverless Métro line 14.
A Métro ride cost €2.55 in 2026, on a Navigo Easy card or a phone, and the airport ticket €14; the Navigo Week pass, €32.40 in 2026, runs from Monday to Sunday. Fares are revised each January.
In fine April weather, the centre is a pleasure to walk: the Marais, the islands and the Latin Quarter are close together, and the Vélib' bikes and the cycle lanes along the Seine make longer trips easy.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €75–105 | Dorm bed or a simple room, set lunches, a Navigo Week pass |
| Mid-range | €170–260 | Comfortable 3-star room, terrace lunches, a museum a day |
| Luxury | €480+ | Grand hotel, chef’s tasting menus, a driver for Versailles |
April is shoulder season, with prices rising during the school holidays and around the marathon weekend.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Notre-Dame | Free |
| Métro single ticket | €2.55 in 2026 |
| Navigo Week pass | €32.40 in 2026 |
| Louvre, EU and EEA visitors | €22 |
| Louvre, everyone else | €32 |
- Free museum days: the Louvre on the evening of Friday 2 April, the Orsay on Sunday 4 April.
- Book a hotel early for the marathon weekend.
- Picnics in the parks are the cheapest lunches in Paris.
#Food & Dining
April is the start of spring food: white and green asparagus, morels, wild garlic, new-season lamb and the first gariguette strawberries. The terraces open for the season, and lunch outside on a sunny day is a Paris ritual.
The Marché d'Aligre, open every morning except Monday, and the Marché Bastille on Thursday and Sunday mornings show off the season's produce. Book popular bistros a week ahead for weekends.
#Nightlife
April is when Paris starts drinking outdoors again: the rooftops reopen for the season, and on the first mild evenings the canal quays fill with groups sitting on the stone edge.
The jazz clubs of the Rue des Lombards, near Châtelet, and the bars of the Marais are busy all year.
#Shopping
New-season clothes arrive at the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, and the independent designers of the Haut-Marais around the Rue de Bretagne are worth an afternoon.
The bouquinistes, the booksellers in green boxes along the Seine, are out on fine days, and the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen opens from Saturday to Monday.
#Culture & Etiquette
- On marathon day, cheer the runners along the route; locals line the course in the Bastille and the Bois.
- Say "Bonjour" on entering a shop or café, and "Au revoir" on leaving.
- Dress modestly for churches, including Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur.
- Service is included in restaurant bills; leaving a euro or two is optional.
#Essential Local Phrases
| English | French | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Is it going to rain? | Il va pleuvoir ? | Eel va pluh-vwahr? |
| An umbrella | Un parapluie | Uhn pa-ra-plwee |
| A table on the terrace | Une table en terrasse | Oon tah-bluh on teh-rass |
| Where is the marathon route? | Où passe le marathon ? | Oo pass luh ma-ra-ton? |
| A box of chocolates | Une boîte de chocolats | Oon bwat duh sho-ko-lah |
| What time does it close? | Ça ferme à quelle heure ? | Sa fairm ah kel ur? |
| Thank you | Merci | Mair-see |
| Goodbye | Au revoir | Oh ruh-vwahr |
#Packing List
- A light waterproof jacket or trench coat
- A warm layer for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes that cope with rain
- Sunglasses for the bright days
- Antihistamines if you suffer from hay fever
#Backup Plans
If it rains: spend the morning in the Musée de l'Orangerie with Monet's water lilies, or in the Musée Carnavalet, the free museum of the history of Paris; the covered arcades north of the Palais-Royal are good for browsing out of the rain.
If the museums are crowded in the school holidays: choose the smaller houses, the Musée Jacquemart-André, the Musée Rodin or the Musée de la Vie Romantique, whose garden café is lovely in spring.
If marathon closures block your plans: spend the morning on the Left Bank or in Montmartre, away from the course, and travel by Métro.
#Safety & Health
Paris is generally safe, but pickpockets target the crowds at the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and on Métro lines 1 and 4, and the marathon crowds; keep your bag closed and in front of you. April is a peak month for tree pollen, so bring antihistamines if you need them.
Emergency: 112, or 15 for medical help and 17 for police.
#What's New for April 2027
- The Paris Marathon is set for Sunday 4 April 2027, its 50th edition, under a new organiser
- Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, so April has no public holidays
- Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 and is free to visit
- The Louvre charges €32 for visitors from outside the EU and the EEA
- The Centre Pompidou is closed for renovation until 2030
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), updated October 2026 for April 2027. Climate figures are Météo-France 1991–2020 normals for Paris-Montsouris. Dates and prices verified against:
- Jogging International for the 2027 marathon date and organiser
- franceinfo for the 2027 school holidays
- Notre-Dame de Paris for visiting
- Louvre for admission and the free evenings
- Île-de-France Mobilités for transport fares
For the month that follows, see Paris in May, and for the season as a whole, Paris in spring.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see cherry blossom in Paris in April?
The Parc de Sceaux, just south of the city, is the most famous spot, with trees flowering around the turn of March and April. In the city, try the Jardin des Plantes and the Champ de Mars. The timing moves with the weather, so check before you go.
Is it warm enough to sit outside in Paris in April?
Often, yes, in the afternoon: the average high is about 17°C, and sunny days reach 20°C. Mornings and evenings are cool, around 8°C, and showers are frequent, so bring a warm layer and an umbrella.
When is the Paris Marathon in 2027?
It is set for Sunday 4 April 2027, its 50th edition and the first under a new organiser. The course starts on the Champs-Élysées and loops through the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne; roads on the route close for most of the day.
Is April busy in Paris in 2027?
Busier in the first half: the Paris school holidays run from about 3 to 19 April 2027, filling the big museums. Easter falls on 28 March, before the month starts, so April has no public holidays. Book timed museum tickets, and hotels early for the marathon weekend.
What’s the weather like in Paris in April?
Paris in April typically sees temperatures of 8–17°C with around 9 days of rain across the period. Pack lightweight layers that suit both cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.
How much does it cost to visit Paris in April?
Budget-conscious travellers can expect daily costs of €80–150, covering accommodation, food, and local transport. Flexible dates can save up to 20% compared with peak-week rates.