How to Visit Magical Paris in April

Debating whether April is a good month to visit the city of love? I love traveling on the shoulder seasons, so I’m excited to share why Paris in April is an excellent time to visit. I love Paris and have visited it four times in my life!

Follow along as I share the best activities and things to do in the French capital during the spring. There’s so much to see with fewer crowds and mild weather. It is truly magical, and you are going to have a lovely time.

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🖼️Louvre Ticket
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🇫🇷Arc de Triomphe

General Tips for a Spring Vacation in Paris

wear layers
bring Euros
bring a rain jacket and small umbrella
beware of larger crowds around Easter weekend (if during April)
Paris is known for pick-pocketers; be alert
use Google Maps to help navigate the Paris Metro
learn a few French greetings

Paris Weather in April

The weather in April is quite lovely. I suggest a light jacket with a warm shirt or any variation of layers in case the day heats up. You do not need a heavy coat.

Average Temperature for Paris

Average High- low 60’s
Average low- mid 40’s

Packing List

Here are my favorite international travel items to go with: clothes you can layer, tennis shoes, and a light jacket.

Looking for another city to pair with Paris on a spring vacation? Check out why Amsterdam is a terrific spot to visit in the spring months.

Paris, photo credit: R. Schwartz

Popular Attractions in Paris this Spring

There’s so much to see in Paris, especially if it is your first trip. Below are some of my favorite spots from my extensive travels. I highly recommend ranking what you want to see and know you may not fit it all in, especially if you have 2 days or less.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame, photo credit: R. Schwartz

After a devastating fire and years of construction, Notre Dame is officially open to the public. You can reserve a spot starting 2 days before your desired day. Be patient as there could be very long lines as visitors and residents alike are eager to visit this magnificent church.

Sainte Chapelle

Sainte Chapelle is one of the most underrated stops in Paris. With Notre Dame temporarily closing, more people visited, and I hope that interest continues, as it is simply stunning.

Not far from Notre Dame, guests can tour the magnificent church of Sainte-Chapelle. Designed in Gothic, the chapel is known for its beautifully designed stone glass windows and designs.

Tips:

I highly recommend buying tickets before your trip or from third-party sites if unavailable.
You can tie in your visit with a tour of Conciergerie, a former prison that famously held Marie-Antionette before her death.

Buy your ticket for Sainte Chapelle NOW by clicking HERE!

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe, photo credit: R. Schwartz

You can’t miss seeing the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, a focal point in Paris. The monument honors French soldiers who fought bravely in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

Accessing the monument is easy; however, you cannot cross the street here as it is an incredibly busy roundabout. Instead, there’s an underground walkway that takes you to the base of the monument.

Tip: Consider going to see the Eiffel Tower at night, which lights up the first 5 minutes of each hour.

Book your ticket to Arc de Triomphe NOW by clicking HERE!

Champs-Élysées

Champs-Élysées, photo credit: R. Schwartz

The Champs-Élysées is an iconic shopping avenue in Paris. Once you leave the Arc de Triomphe, take a stroll, check out the stores, and hum a little “Oh Champs-Élysées…” if you ever took years of French as I did.

Make sure to pop into Ladurée for a delicious macaroon or stay for a meal, tea time, or a pastry workshop.

Eiffel Tower

Ok, you can’t visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, the city’s symbol. You can go to various viewing platforms or just take photos in front of it.

Eiffel Tower, photo credit: R. Schwartz

There are several terrific photo opportunities. You can walk down to the Seine and take them looking up. Going to the Trocadero is one of the most popular options, but be aware of pickpocketers and people selling cheap trinkets.

Social media influencers have brought much attention to some side street opportunities. It is best to arrive early as these are very popular. Rue Saint-Dominique and Rue de l’Université are great options.

Tickets to the top level are hard to come by if you wait too late. Once you know your dates, try to buy the tickets 2 months in advance (when the window opens). We learned this the hard way, and the only tickets left were costly from third-party sites.

Art Museums

If you want to visit an art museum, you’ve come to the right city. Here, you can explore the Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin or the Louvre Museum very easily. The Musée d’Orsay is home to an incredible collection of Impressionist work.

You’ll want to visit the Louvre to see the iconic Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Coronation of Napoleon, my favorite. Remember, there’ll be large crowds; be patient as you work your way to the front.

Coronation of Napoleon at the Louvre, photo credit: R. Schwartz

Tip: Entry lines for the Louvre can be intense. Instead, take the escalator off 99 Rue de Rivoli to enter the shopping mall adjacent to the Louvre. The lines here won’t be as long as the ones outside near the glass pyramid.

Book your Louvre ticket NOW by clicking HERE!

Tuileries Garden

Tuileries Garden. photo credit: R. Schwartz

After visiting the Louvre, take a pleasant stroll through the Tuileries Gardens. You can sit near one of the water fountains, enjoy a picnic lunch, or grab a meal at one of the outdoor restaurants in the gardens.

If you are traveling with kids, the gardens are an excellent opportunity to burn off some energy, especially if you’ve just come from the Louvre. There’s a terrific playground for free, a carousel, and trampolines for a small fee.

Jarden du Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Gardens are another beautiful site in Paris for those who enjoy relaxing outside. There’s a French and English garden, a pond, and a forest to discover. You can pair this with some time exploring the Latin Quarter.

Latin Quarter

This community is unique as the oldest neighborhood (5th Arrondissement) in Paris. If you have a few hours, I suggest wandering through some cobblestone streets.

For instance, you can check out the Pantheon, the famous Shakespeare & Company bookstore, a zoo, Jardin des Plantes, or the National History Museum.

Seine River Tour

Paris, photo credit: R. Schwartz

A boat ride on the Seine is an excellent way to see the city and learn history and fun facts. Many tours go past the Eiffel Tower for a fantastic photo opp.

Tip: I would skip this if you only have a day or two. If you enjoy tours and have limited time, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour will take you to more places. Plus, some of those tours include a boat ride!

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette is a magnificent mall in Paris that is worth checking out just for the experience. Plus, you can take in scenic views from the rooftop terrace.

Montmartre

Montmartre. photo credit: R. Schwartz

Montmartre is a neat spot in Paris, known for its sweeping views of the city and artistic community. First, it sits above the city on a hill with the stunning Basilica of Sacré-Cœur overlooking Paris. Guests gather on the steps before the church to enjoy the beautiful views.

Sit here for a bit and relax, then wander through Montmartre. On the walk down, you can check out Moulin Rouge.

Tip: you can take the funicular or 222 steps to reach the top. Your metro card will work on the funicular.

Day Trips out of Paris

Versailles

Versailles, photo credit: R. Schwartz

Just outside the heart of Paris, you can tour the magnificent Palace of Versailles, built by King Louis XIV. You need at least a ½ day to see the palace and have plenty of time to walk the gardens.

Tip: buy a ticket in advance for a timed entry. Also, be patient as large crowds could be waiting to get in.

Normandy

American Cemetery at Normandy, photo credit: R. Schwartz

Visiting the stories beaches at Normandy is a must-see for anyone who appreciates history. Honestly, I think everyone should see it at some point in their life, as it changed the course of WWII and helped defeat the Nazis.

Going to Normany for a day takes some planning. We rented a car from Gare du Nord and drove up for the day. We underestimated the time it would take to pick up the rental and the traffic of Paris- leave as early as possible!

If it is easier, you can sign up for a guided tour out of Paris or take the train and join a tour there. Either way, it is worth the extra steps to go.

Disneyland

Paris Disneyland is a fun excursion if traveling with kids. It is a bit further from town, so I recommend waking up very early or staying near the park the night before.

Giverny

If visiting in the spring, an excursion to Giverny is a terrific idea. Here, you can explore the luscious gardens and home of Claude Monet.

In Conclusion: How to Visit Magical Paris in April

I hope my guide on visiting Paris in April helps you plan your next great adventure.

🇫🇷France Resources🇫🇷
How to Visit Versailles with kids
Paris in April