Spring has sprung, and Paris is blooming. April in this city is a magical time; there’s an energy of starting fresh; a creative excitement in the air. April sits in the sweet spot between low season and peak summer, and we’re here to let you know what to expect.
Why We Love Paris in April
Visiting Paris in April? Since it’s the very start of the tourist season, you’ll definitely have company during your trip, but you’ll beat the crowds of the high season, which will likely start in May. You'll be looking at cool mornings, warm afternoons, and dappled sunlight. Paris is a great city to walk in, and April is a great month to do just that. If you’re unsure about whether to visit Paris in April, keep reading. We’ll give you the lay of the land so you can make the best decision for you. And if you’re looking to travel at another time of year, we’ve got blogs for those months, too.
Is April a Good Time to Visit Paris?
As you can glean from above, the answer is a hearty, enthusiastic YES to this question. April is a good time to visit Paris, and even the locals love this time of year. April is the month Paris truly wakes up. In March, it’s stirring. In May, we’re cruising. In April, the city is stretching, blinking in the sunlight, and filled with that je ne sais quoi. That beautiful spring excitement, the infectious feeling that anything is possible.
Another thing that locals love about Paris in April is that the famous terrasse estivales are open. That’s the summer terrace permits. Restaurants, cafés, and bars that might not usually have permits for a terrace are usually approved for temporary terraces through spring, summer, and early autumn. It means leisurely time spent outside for any meal.
If you want our top recommendations for food and drinks in Paris, we recommend that you grab our guide. If you want proof we know what we’re talking about, try out one of our favorite places for breakfast in our blog on best brunch places in Paris.
How Busy is Paris in April?
The crowds in April sit somewhere between quiet and busy, leaning towards more of a bustling energy. In fact, April is such a great season for vacation that every French school has their spring break this month. At least, that’s how it falls in 2026. It’s important to be aware of this - the train and plane prices may be a little more elevated, and there may be more French tourists in Paris. There will definitely be more kids in the parks and gardens, but the flip side to that is there will be more activities on offer for kids, so if you’re travelling as a family, it’s actually a great time to visit.
What is the Weather Like in Paris in April?
We’re not going to pretend that every day in April is sunny and glorious. That’s more May/June weather. If you’re looking for dry Paris, we’d wait a month or two. That said, these days it can be hard to know what to expect, so ultimately it’s not worth planning your entire trip around the forecast. Paris, as cliché as it is to say, is stunning in the rain, and a warm shower can actually feel nice.
Generally you can expect temperatures from mid-40s to mid-60s (Farenheit), and the warmest time of day will be mid afternoon. This temperature is great for wandering the city or taking a river cruise on the Seine river because you won’t overheated, which can happen in the summer months. Parks and gardens will be overflowing after a dark, wet, winter in Paris. The park and garden scene has a real vibe in this city, and you have plenty of options: The Jardin des Plantes, Jardin de Luxembourg, Place des Vosges, and many more.
Better yet, grab a coffee and take it on a park wander. Find our favorite places and the best coffee roasters in Paris here.
Does it Rain a Lot in Paris in April?
April will have a few showers, and chances are they’ll be cold. However, unlike February or even March, these showers will typically come and go quite quickly, and while there can be wind, it’s rarely unbearable. April averages about 10-14 days of rain, but as showers - not blocks of unending gloom.
The beginning of April is usually the prime season for cherry blossoms across the city. Beautiful and romantic, it’s the perfect time of year to book a portrait session. Whether you want photos of your family in Paris, you’re planning an engagement, or you just want some good pictures of yourself, Janelle and her team at My Paris Portraits will hook you up. Most of the photos you see of Jay here came from My Paris Portaits - we keep going back for more! If you do book with Janelle, let her know Jay Swanson sent you, and we’ll get a small commission.
What to Pack for Paris in April
We want to give you a little advice on what to pack to best enjoy your visit to the City of Light, but we’re not going to flat out tell you how to dress. That’s not our style. You can dress as fashionable or as fun as you want; no judgment here! Our advice below focuses on the practical. Dress it up or down however you’d like.
A Compact Umbrella
Bring an umbrella, yes, but make it compact! In the winter, you can get by with enormous hooked umbrellas, but in April, you’ll want to be able to slide yours into your purse, as you might not even need it (trust us, bring it with you anyway). It doesn’t need to be an expensive one - it’ll break in the wind, or chances are you’ll leave it in a café. You can also purchase one on the ground in Paris.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
You’ll want a couple pairs of very comfortable shoes for visiting Paris. Chances are you’ll be logging 10K+ steps if you’re able. We recommend having at least two pairs of shoes, as even the most comfortable ones can feel less nice after a few days of tens of thousands of steps! Also, chances are one pair will get wet and need to dry out. If you have little boots for rainy weather, all the better!
Your Wise Card
Wise, formerly known as Transferwise, is our number one recommendation for taking your money overseas. You can add money in USD, and then transfer it to EUR right in the app, and use the card as you travel - whether to tap and pay for a coffee or to withdraw cash to tip your tour guide.
Sunglasses
Yes, you’ll want these along with your umbrella. It sounds counter intuitive, but such is the drama of Paris. Take these out and about with you every day. What might start as a rainy morning could end as a sunny afternoon, and when that glare hits the wet streets… you’ll want those sunglasses!
Lightweight Waterproof Jacket
Again, it goes without saying. If you have a small jacket you can fold into your purse, great. If you want to be in fashion…how about a trench coat? The ultimate Parisian coat is a trench.
Layers
We say this all the time, but it remains true: pack light layers. If it is 60°F in the afternoon, you’ll want to be able to peel off the jacket and the sweater. A good cardigan goes a long way!
The Best Guide to Paris
Our Guide to Paris is the best one out there. We stand by it, or your money back. In it you’ll find hundreds of food recommendations, and if you get the Guide+, you’ll get three pre-made full-day itineraries and access to Jay’s exclusive audio walking tours.
Our Top Picks on What to Do in Paris this April
Calder: Rêver en Équilibre
From April 15th to August 16th, the Foundation of Louis Vuitton will have an exhibition running on Alexander Calder; Calder: Rêver en Équilibre. If you don’t know, Calder is an American sculptor known for his colorful sculptures, dynamic mobiles, and contemporary art. This exhibition will, of course, be filled with mobiles, but also sculptures, jewelry, and much more. The Foundation of Louis Vuitton is a little out of the way, but it’s not far from the Jardin d’Acclimatation if you have kids who want to experience an old school carnival vibe!
If you’re looking to visit the exhibition with someone who can help you immerse yourself in the history of art, France, and more, be sure to request a private tour with our friend Amber, by emailing her at [email protected]
Video Games & Music Exhibit
If you’re looking for something interesting and very different (though perhaps, just as colorful!) from Calder, you’ll want to head to the 19th arrondissement to the Philharmonie de Paris, a music museum in Paris. From April 2nd to November 8th 2026, there will be a huge exhibition focusing on the music in video games, Video Games & Music: Music in which you are the heroes. This exhibit will explore how music and technology shapes and dramatizes some of our favorite video games, such as Pac-Man, Final Fantasy, Zelda… We’re certainly excited for this immersive adventure.
More Color with Matisse
Well, there’s clearly a theme for April going one! Bright, fun, colorful exhibits, ready to jump into spring. This one is smack in the center of town at the Grand Palais: Matisse, la couleur sans limite. This exhibition will run from March 24th to August 2nd 2026; with his work under the vaulted ceilings of the grand palais, it’s sure to be an emotional experience!
Not so interested in indoor exhibitions, but want to see the Grand Palais and other monuments from the outside? Perfect for any season but especially fun to do in nice weather: Grab a tour with Badass Tours Paris. Zip around Paris, learn about its history, have a great time with Mark and his team.
Plus Three Exciting April Events in Paris in 2026
The Marathon of Paris
For those of you that like to keep up with exercise on vacation, or locals who are looking for a challenge - the annual Marathon de Paris is scheduled for April 12th, 2026.
Pro tip: If you don’t feel like attending the Marathon, this is a great day to visit Montmartre; the route typically runs along the Seine, from Bois du Boulogne to Bois de Vincennes, past the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, and most central monuments. It can cause serious disruptions for metro and traffic, and even city tours! In Montmartre, you can have a wander and avoid some of those crowds.
The Paris Book Fair
Also set to take place in the Grand Palais, after you’ve wandered through Mattisse’s work, you can hit up the Paris Book Fair. This Salon, also called the Festival of Books, will run from April 17th to 19th 2026 only. They’ve also got an evening of Culinary Tastes… this definitely seems worth checking out!
Monuments by Night
Also on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of April 2026 (told you this is a great month to be in Paris!) is La Nuit des Monuments where various monuments both around Paris and France offer extra special opening hours, evening events, and exhibitions. This might require a small trip outside the city, but is bound to be a magical experience. And who doesn’t love day trips?
Speaking of day trips, we’d be remiss not to remind you that Monet’s Gardens in Giverny open back up on April 1ist. If you want to see some truly spectacular flowers, you’ll want to plan a half day trip out there. Love flowers, but aren’t sure you’ll make it to the Gardens? You’re in luck, because on Easter Sunday the churches of Paris will be bursting with gorgeous blossoms!
Looking for even more Paris advice, whether you’re traveling in April, or any other time of year? You’ll want to grab our guide for that. The Paris in my Pocket Travel Guide is a curated website filled with hundreds of the absolute best places to eat, drink and visit in Paris, both on and off the beaten path, and if you grab the Guide+ you’ll get three pre-made itineraries and access to Jay’s audio tours. With this guide, you’ll have the best possible time in Paris - or your money back.
