Here is What It’s Really Like to Visit Paris in March

Let’s talk about what it is really like to visit Paris in March. Right at the cusp of spring and end of winter, March is a time of transition in Paris.

And it may be one of the better months to visit.

I should know, because after 17+ visits (I know, it’s literally my personality at this point), I’ve been to Paris throughout the year. And March is a solid month to visit. 

In fact, I was just there last March where I was met with mostly sunny days, and even the beginnings of springtime flowers!

And this was in early March mind you! 

I quickly realized that you get the start of spring and the end of winter school holidays, meaning you can enjoy Paris at a slightly quieter time of the year without it being quite as chilly as January. 

Don’t get me wrong- I love January in Paris! But March is fabulous in its own right and deserves your consideration for your trip. 

So let’s talk about what you need to know when it comes to visiting Paris this time of year including weather, what to pack, awesome events worth traveling for, things to do, day trip ideas, where to stay, and whether it is worth your time. 

If planning a trip to Paris feels overwhelming, I also offer personalized travel consulting to help you design your perfect trip.

Paris in March Weather

Now, being in Paris in early March last year, I’ll say that it wasn’t bad at all!

I wore a thicker trench and was golden. But let’s give you more historical data on monthly temperatures in March so you can more accurately plan.

But regardless, ALWAYS check the weather before going. The Weather Channel App works just fine with Paris too (just never believe that it won’t rain- it can always rain). 

I said that January in Paris wasn’t bad (which it normally isn’t bad), and then they had a freak snowstorm and it got really cold this year…so checking the weather ahead of time is a smart idea.

Here are averages for weather in March in Paris:

• Average high: 44-57ºF / 7-14ºC
• Average low: 34-43ºF / 1-6ºC
• Number of days with precipitation: 8 days
• Hours of daylight: 11-12.5 (almost 13 hours)

Yes, the days are starting to get much longer, with sunset being after 8 pm by the end of March!

Also, it feels slightly warmer than February or January, even if they may have the same temps some days because the humidity in Paris is starting to drop a little.

In the late fall through winter, Paris’s humidity actually increases, which can make it feel colder outside in the winter than normal. 

But in March, you begin to see a dip in that, making it a little less chilly feeling outside.

While in my Paris in February article, I mentioned regretting my choice of jacket while exploring Paris. In March, I think you can easily get away with something like a thicker trench coat like I wore last year.

Last year, I was in Paris both in February and March because I squeezed in a 10-day trip to Finland in between. And while the thicker trench coat wasn’t quite warm enough in February, it was perfect in March!

Yes, a scarf would be a great choice as well as an umbrella. It is my belief in Paris that if you don’t bring an umbrella, it will rain. Even if the weather forecast says otherwise. So bring an umbrella and who knows? It may be a completely sunny day!

Here is a helpful mini-Paris packing list in March:

• Waterproof boots. I always wear my black Timberland’s in the winter/early spring. They’re warm, comfortable for walking all day, and go with everything! I lived in these while there. Men’s version here. 
• Alternatively: Leather sneakers. Now that it is transitioning to spring, lighter shoes like sneakers can also be worn as it shouldn’t be as cold! Men’s version here. 
• Socks. Wool socks for boots, regular socks for sneakers. Again, unless the weather calls for cooler temps, you can get away with sneakers. 
• Jeans/trousers. Jeans and trousers are a popular choice to wear year-round in Paris! Men’s jeans here.
• Long-sleeve shirts. These are great for those chillier days. Men’s version here.
• Thicker trench coat. I love a good trench, and so does Paris. Men’s version here.
• Scarf. Scarves are a great idea on chillier days.

Now, again, always check the weather beforehand. You probably won’t need things like bulky sweaters, winter parkas, or wool underlayers, but if the weather calls for super chilly days then you may. 

Paris in March is actually a little more quiet event-wise, but there are still some events happening during the month. Let’s talk about it!

• Paris Fashion Week (Womenswear): If you love fashion, then Paris Fashion Week is happening in 2026 from March 2-10 for womenswear. Just know, in more fashionable parts of the city, it can also be busier during this time.

• St Patrick’s Day: On March 17, it’s Saint Patrick’s Day! I’ll be the first to admit that it isn’t that big of a deal in Paris than places like Dublin or Boston. But there will be people celebrating at Irish pubs around the city. And yes, there are quite a few! I like O’Sullivan’s By the Mill in Pigalle! Check out more events here. 

• Hoka Paris Half-Marathon: While the Paris Marathon is in April, for those who prefer to run half marathons (hey-that’s me!), the Paris half marathon takes place in March. This year, it is on March 8, 2026. Note: If you’re not running, it can be chaotic to be near the race route that morning…as there are a whopping 48,000+ runners! 

• Saut Hermes: This is an equestrian event being held at the Grand Palais! It will take place on March 20-22 this year.

• Catch the End of the Salon de l’Agriculture: If you’re here on the first day of March this year, you can catch the final day of this agricultural fair in Paris! Taste great food and drinks from around Paris and the world, learn about and see livestock, etc. This is on my Paris bucket list to do one day! Be sure to book tickets in advance!

• World of Frozen Opening at Disneyland Paris: The opening of the World of Frozen begins on March 29, 2026! Live out your Frozen dreams with a Frozen ride, meet the characters, and more!

With the days getting longer and the beauty of spring emerging in the city, it is honestly a pretty good time to wander outside! Let’s talk about what to do!

1. A perfectly timed Seine River cruise.

Hear me out: yes, it’ll be slightly chilly, BUT if you go around sunset earlier in the month, you can enjoy a cruise along the Seine before heading to dinner. 

Why? Because let’s be real, most Parisians aren’t eating dinner until at least 8 pm. 

In Paris in March, the sun sets between 6:30-7:15 pm before daylight savings time. It is later after that, but that isn’t until March 29, 2026. 

So, if you’re here earlier in the month, you could hop on the 6:30 pm Seine cruise, and depending on the actual sunset time, potentially see the Eiffel Tower lit up and sparkling at 7 pm from the water!

That is because the Eiffel Tower lights up around dusk and it sparkles for the first 5 minutes every hour after sunset until midnight. 

Yes, is this oddly specific? It is (that’s how my brain works sometimes)! But if you are here before mid-March, you’re going to love this!

Then, the cruise wraps up at 7:30 pm and you can make your dinner reservation afterward. 

This is just a perfect month to time it to where you can do this before dinner. Because once you get into April and beyond, the days are even longer and sunset is at dinner time or after.

Book your Seine Cruise here!

2. Admire the cherry blossoms around the city.

March brings in cherry blossom season, and you can see the pink blooms around the city! 

Here are some spots to enjoy them:

• Jardin des Plantes
• Petit Palais
• Jardins du Trocadéro
• Champ de Mars
• Notre Dame
• Parc Monceau
• Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
• Parc de Sceaux (outside of Paris)

And honestly, you’ll see them throughout the city! 

The cherry blossoms typically bloom in late March and go until April, but this varies based on weather for the year.

And, just like visiting the cherry blossoms in DC, the current weather can make them disappear faster. If you have strong wind and rain, the season is shorter. 

3. Have picnics around the city!

Now that it’s warming up a little, you can comfortably enjoy a picnic in many parks across Paris!

My favorite parks include:

• Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (It’s my favorite park, and I love it dearly)
• Parc Monceau
• Jardin du Luxembourg
• Jardin des Tuileries
• Place des Vosges

And, as a bonus, you could also check out Canal Saint-Martin or park it along the Seine with a bottle of wine, a baguette tradition, and some super delicious cheese.

4. Head to the markets.

There are little produce markets all over Paris, and if you’re a foodie and staying at a place with a kitchen, why not grab supplies to make your own meal?

Think root vegetables, cauliflower, pears, and maybe even the start of springtime produce like strawberries! 

Combine that with some cheeses and you can get creative on what to make!

Some markets to check in Paris include: 

• Raspail Market: Tuesday & Friday from 7 am-1:30 pm.
• Rue Mouffetard Market Street: Everyday except Monday from around 8 am-1 pm. However, weekends are the best time to go.
• Rue Cler Market Street: There are many shops and things that have varying opening times. Many are closed on Monday all day and Sunday afternoons. But it is typically open all day until around 8 pm Tuesday-Saturday.
• Place Monge Market: Wednesday & Friday from 7 am-2:30 pm. Sunday from 7 am-3 pm.
• Maubert Market: Tuesday & Thursday from 7 am-2:30 pm. Saturday from 7 am-3 pm.
• March d’Aligre: Tuesday-Friday from 7:30 am-1:30 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 7:30 am-2:30 pm. The covered market is open from Tuesday-Friday from 9 am-1 pm and 4-7:30 pm, Saturday is from 9 am-1 pm and 3:30-7:30 pm, and Sunday is from 9 am-1:30 pm.
• Bastille Market: Thursday from 7 am-2:30 pm and Sunday from 7 am-3 pm.

5. Enjoy a Sidewalk Cafe

As the chill of winter begins to subside…it’s the perfect time to start sitting outside, sipping your coffee, hot chocolate, or wine, and people-watching.

I think my favorite thing to do in Paris is to just sit at a cafe and people watch. It is a fun pastime!

I absolutely love to just get to Les Deux Magots earlier in the day when there isn’t a line, get sat outside, get their ancient hot chocolate (the best in Paris!) and their filter coffee (which is shockingly good), and take it all in. 

If you can’t tell, I do that a lot in Paris…almost every visit! It’s peaceful yet a little chaotic at the same time. 

6. Take a nighttime tour of the Louvre.

I love the Louvre. I don’t care that it is crowded (it’s only crowded in the really popular spots and it thins out a ton once you leave those areas). 

It was a former palace, it has art from art from around the world, and it has some of the most magnificent pieces of art from around the world.

Is it my favorite museum in Paris? No, but it is well worth your time if you love art.

But, if you want to enjoy the Louvre when it is more peaceful, go in the evening.

On Wednesday and Friday, the Louvre is actually open until 9 pm. And it is less crowded during that time.

Which is why I love love love this tour that I went on a couple of years ago. For starters, you’ll want to book the Wednesday or Friday tour that begins at 5:45 pm. 

You follow an art expert around and skip-the-line as you see the masterpieces of the Louvre with fun facts and explanations. 

Then, you wrap up the tour at the Mona Lisa as the museum begins clearing out for the night…meaning you can walk right up and enjoy! 

This is honestly the best way to see the Louvre. And if you go in March, you may just catch a peak of the sunset while exploring around the museum!

Book it here!

7. Enjoy other museums before they get busy.

March and April are kind of sweet spots of visiting Paris when the weather is getting better, the days start getting longer, and the summertime crowds haven’t quite rolled in yet.

That is to say that Paris is still a big city with crowds and tourists all the time. But it is a little less crazy this time of the year compared to May, June, and early July. 

So take advantage of this time to see smaller museums with little to no crowds like Musee Marmatton Monet, the Carnavalet Museum (Paris history museum), Dali Museum, and the Rodin Museum.

You can also prebook tickets and enjoy Musée de l’Orangerie and Musée d’Orsay. Yes, these are popular, but they’re still enjoyable this time of the year!

Pre-book your Musée de l’Orangerie tickets here!

Pre-book your Musée d’Orsay tickets here!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are other super useful things to know about before your trip in March! 

Perfect Day Trip Ideas From Paris in March

If you’ve got the time to explore further outside of Paris, why not take a day trip? And I will say that winter isn’t the best time to visit some places. For example, Monet’s Home and Gardens in Giverny is closed until April and a lot of Champagne houses in Champagne close up tours for the winter too.

So here are other ideas for where to go outside of Paris this time of year:

• Loire Valley. Catch early spring blossoms without the crowds! And you can enjoy a bit of wine with it! I recommend booking a guided tour that picks you up and drops you off in Paris. It’s a long day, but after having done a day trip to the Loire Valley from Paris, I can say that it is well worth it! Book it here!
• Versailles. Enjoy a visit to Versailles with fewer crowds than summertime! Wander the gardens, walk along the Hall of Mirrors, and perhaps pay a visit to Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet! I have a whole guide on how to visit Versailles here, and book tickets in advance!
• You can check out nearby Château de Fontainebleau. 
• Explore Provins nearby.
• Take the Eurostar to London!
• Take the Eurostar to Bruges!

I am an expert on where to stay in Paris. After many visits (I even have 4 separate hotels booked for a trip I’m about to go on soon there), I love testing out hotels around the city to help people make informed decisions on where to stay. 

So here are posts to help you narrow down your choice from over 1,500 hotels:

• My All-Time Favorite Hotels in Paris
• Where to Stay in Paris For the First Time
• Ultimate Guide on Where to Stay in Paris Based On Your Travel Style
• Best Hotels in Paris With Eiffel Tower Views

But, here are a few good ones that I like specifically for March. Why? Because hotel prices aren’t at their peak just yet, so you can still find good deals, and they’re great spots to base yourself for walking around!

Hotel Atmospheres: Located in the Latin Quarter, I love this hotel and stay here with my parents and in-laws. That is because it 1) has a large elevator where a person and their luggage can fit and 2) has walk-in showers. This helped my mom and mother-in-law a lot having these features because of their knees.

Even without the features that help with those with limited mobility, it’s a great area to explore both the 5th and 6th arrondissements. Also, you can walk 10 minutes to Notre Dame, and 25 minutes to the Louvre.

Book it here!

Hotel Saint-Marc: Located in the 2nd, this charming hotel with a cute courtyard is 17 minutes away from the Louvre on foot and 11 minutes from the Palais Garnier. Plus, this area is close to some great dining options!

Book it here!

Hotel Odeon Saint-Germain: I have stayed here a couple of times, and it’s great for wandering nearby Jardin du Luxembourg for its springtime flowers, especially as it is only 4 minutes away on foot! Plus, you can explore the many great dining and shopping options nearby.

Book it here!

1. French school holidays.

While this isn’t a huge issue throughout March, in the beginning of the month, there are still some French school holidays happening. But after the first week or so it should be back to normal. So if things are a bit more crowded with families, that’s why. So be sure to book popular attractions in advance! 

Check French school holidays here. 

2. You don’t need to be fluent in French.

But knowing a few helpful words and phrases are a good idea! And ALWAYS say “Bonjour/Bonsoir!”

Check out helpful words and phrases to know here!

3. Always be vigilant with your things!

Yes, pickpocketers are still out and about in March. In fact, we witnessed one while having a little picnic by the Eiffel Tower.

We were constantly harassed by the petitioners (hint: NEVER even give them attention- they are a distraction to pickpocket you!). We ignored them or told them no. 

But from far away, we saw a teenage boy sign their petition and within seconds was surrounded by people and then all the petitioners disappeared. A few minutes later, we saw the kid talking to a police officer. 

Don’t sign petitions, don’t accept anything a stranger tries to hand you, wear a crossbody purse if you can, and keep your hand on your things in crowded spaces. Also, don’t sling your bag over your chair. 

4. Here are helpful things I use for booking my trips to France:

• Airalo for an on-the-go Esim!
• Skyscanner for searching the best flight deals
• Get Your Guide for tours
• Booking.com for hotels
• World Nomads for travel insurance

Is Visiting Paris in March Worth it?

I’ll be real with you, I have yet to find a truly bad time to come to Paris. Even in the midst of “les vacances” in late July/August when the tourists come in and the locals clear out and some local spots close up (there are still plenty of places to eat and things to do!). 

Even in the midst of winter in January. Even in the rainier, gloomier days of autumn and winter. 

Paris is still always a good idea. But, yes, March is still a lovely time to go! In fact, it is still at the tail end of winter, so you can find some decent hotel deals before spring and summer bring in more people. 

Yes, I loved spending time in March in Paris, and I think you will too! 

When is your favorite time to visit Paris?