One of the most visited cities in the world, Paris comes alive in the spring! No matter what time of year you visit Paris, there are always plenty of things to see and do. However, April may be the best time to go. This time of year has beautiful mild temperatures, and the city is alive with springtime activities. Read the whole post to help plan your itinerary. But we’ll start off with some quick tips to make the most of your planning for Paris in April.
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Quick Tips for Visiting Paris in April
- Reserve tickets in advance – not only do you save hours of waiting in long lines, but you also save yourself the potential disappointment of not getting in at all. Iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower, museums like the Louvre, and day trip locations such as Versailles are popular. They sell out quickly so get those tickets online in advance of your trip.
- Book a hotel or home stay close to what you want to experience – the streets of Paris are an attraction in and of themselves. Give yourself the gift of placing your stay within walking distance of some of the sites you’d like to see. We stayed in the Latin Quarter and enjoyed neighborhood cafes, walks along the Seine, and an easy walk to Notre Dame cathedral as well as Sainte Chapelle.
- Wear layers – the average temperature during springtime is in the 60s. During cooler mornings you may want a light jacket. There are chances for a few rainy days but this time of year days are longer. The warm weather in the afternoon allows you to pack in more activities or indulge in a leisurely meal at a sidewalk table of your neighborhood cafe.
- Check reservations for dining on Sundays or Easter – if you plan to be in Paris for the holiday be sure to make reservations for your dining in advance. We flew in on Easter Sunday and wanted to make sure we had a good lunch before the jet lag kicked in. Restaurants can be hit or miss on Sundays or holidays. Check opening and closing hours with Google and check the restaurant website to see if you can make reservations ahead of time online.
Day Trips
A visit to Monet’s Gardens is well worth a half-day trip. You can read our full post on how to get the most out of your day trip to Giverny here. The artist moved to Giverny in 1883 and slowly built his garden to the glory that is now painstakingly cared for today. The famous impressionist gained inspiration for some of his most famous works from his gardens in Giverny. Eight of the murals that he dedicated years to creating are housed in the Musee de L’Orangerie which opened in 1927 just months after his death.
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Booking a tour ahead of time is easy or you can travel to Giverny via public transportation. A direct train from Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny station takes less than an hour. You can take a shuttle from the station to Monet’s Garden. A fantastic website Paris to Giverny provides all the details you’ll need to plan your trip using public transportation.
You also have an option to make this day trip a full day with lunch and add a visit to Versailles. If you are into indulgence and want to walk amongst the riches that shine in one of the most opulent castles in all of Europe then Versailles is for you. This amazing palace was dedicated as a museum in 1830 and the palace, as well as the stunning gardens, are a testament to the talented architects that brought stone and living materials together.
Disneyland Paris is easily accessible by train and depending on the hours of operation during your visit, could be done in a rush over a day trip. You can take a train to the Marne-la-Vallee/Chessy train station just minutes from the gates of Disneyland Paris. Or, if you’re brave enough to drive in Paris, you might consider getting to Disneyland by car. The park is less than 30 miles out of town close to the Charles De Gaulle airport. Speaking of the airport, if you are flying into CDG and splitting time between Paris and Disneyland consider getting a hotel by the park for the amusement park portion of your trip as the Disneyland Paris and adjoining Walt Disney Studios could easily be a two-day adventure.
Tour a Neighborhood
A great way to enjoy Paris is to walk through the neighborhoods. You can hire a tour guide to help you explore an area like Montemarte. Or you can book a guided food tour in Le Marais. One of the best things we did on our trip was taking a self-guided walking tour through the Sacre Coeur area.
You’ll enjoy the bakeries, chocolate shops, restaurants, and tea or coffee shops. No matter which neighborhood you are exploring, any macaroon shop you come across will not disappoint. Just trust me on that one!
Dinner Cruise on the Seine
Some Seine river cruises are only for sightseeing. But a river cruise complete with champagne and dinner was one of my favorite activities. There are quite a few companies that host so you have plenty of choices. It is not as expensive as you’d think for a unique perspective of the heart of the city. You can choose shorter, earlier tours that cast off at around 6 PM and return by 7:30. Or extend the evening with a longer cruise that leaves at 8:30 PM includes live music, and leaves later in the evening. I encourage you to take the cruise that leaves as late as possible so you can see the city’s skyline at sunset. You’ll also have a chance of seeing the Eiffel Tower light up and twinkle in the growing darkness.
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Most tours leave from the left bank and turn around at the Il de Saint Louis to return up the right bank. A dinner cruise will take you all the way up to a glorious view of the sister Statue of Liberty before you return to your docking spot. We enjoyed a three-course menu including a starter, a main, and a shared dessert from our front-facing window view table. Upgrades are available with wine or higher-end menu choices.
Enjoy the Beautiful Gardens and Squares
Walk through the Jardin des Tuileries on your way to the Musee de L’Orangerie. Sail a small boat in the Luxembourg Gardens. These beautiful gardens highlight the opulence of Paris’ past.
But don’t limit yourself to just these grander venues. The warmer weather of spring brings neighbors out to enjoy their local squares and urban green spaces. Local parks and squares give insight into neighborhood life. It’s a good idea to grab a picnic lunch and people-watch. Or sit for a while and catch a Petanque game.
There are amazing large urban green spaces that should not be missed. One of the beautiful spots for this is the 17th-century square, Place de Vosges, near the Bastille metro stop and close to French Romantic literary great Victor Hugo’s home.
Streetside Dining
Spring brings the best months for outdoor dining. This time of year, Paris’ weather is perfect for sitting outside enjoying a leisurely drink and a meal. Note – some restaurants won’t allow you to sit at sidewalk tables unless you plan to order a meal.
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Or stop by your local neighborhood grocery, grab some cheese and bread, and picnic along the Seine! During the high season of summer months July and August, the City of Love brings out sand, palm trees, and beach chairs for the public to enjoy. But your visit to Paris in the spring is still a great time to watch the river flow.
Find a Unique View of the Eiffel Tower
You certainly don’t have to pay to ride to the top of the tower to experience the iconic Eiffel Tower. Catch a unique view near the Grand Palais along the Pont Alexandre III in the evening and see the tower light up after sunset.
Another good view spot is from the Arc de Triomphe observation deck. Or another opportunity to enjoy your Eiffel Tower view peppered with cherry blossoms comes from the park Champs de Mars.
You can skip the hassle of a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are better city views from the Sacre Coeur dome or the top of the Pantheon anyway! Another bonus of taking the time to visit Sacre Coeur, from this spot you can take a neighborhood stroll and enjoy unique spots such as Rue De L’abreuvoir and the intimate tribute to the famous French-Italian singer Dalida at Place Dalida
No matter when you choose to go to Paris you will have a good time. But Paris in April is something special.
If you’re looking for a trip to the City of Lights, spring is definitely the time to go. The weather is mild and there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy in the city. Be sure to check out our weekly Travel Goals Newsletter for more information on Paris and other amazing destinations!