If You’ve Never Been to Paris in March You’re Missing Out: Beautiful Blossom and Fewer Crowds Are Just the Start

One of the biggest questions I get about Paris is which month is the best to go.

Now, obviously, this depends on what you want to do, but for me, hands down, March is the best month to go to Paris.

Why? Because it’s still out of season, so you almost have Paris to yourself.

There are no long queues for attractions, the weather can often be lovely, and the blossom is starting to fill the trees. 

And the best bit, traveling is cheaper. The hotel rates are lower, flights are a good price, and Eurostar hasn’t jacked up its prices either.

So let’s dive in and help you plan your March trip to Paris.

Weather in Paris in March

I do wonder now if there is such a thing as an average temperature for a particular month anymore. The seasons aren’t what they were, and things are all over the place from a weather perspective.

Generally, though, you can expect temperatures to range from lows of around 2°C to 4°C (35°F to 39°F) on cooler nights to highs of up to 11°C to 16°C (52°F to 61°F) during the day. 

It’s spring in France, a transitional period where the city begins to shake off the winter chill, and the weather can change quite a bit from day to day​​​​​​.

You’ll need to bring an umbrella as Paris can get rain in March, but there are plenty of sunny days too.

Things To Do in Paris in March

What to do in Paris in March will be guided a little by whether or not you’ve been to Paris before. If you haven’t, you’ll no doubt want to tick a few things off your list, such as the Louvre, Champs Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower.

It’s the best time of year to go as there aren’t the crowds and you don’t need to book in advance to skip the queues. Don’t get me wrong, there’ll still be quite a few people in the Louvre because it’s always popular, but it will be way more relaxed.

It’s also a good time to do tours of places like Palais Garnier, home of the Phantom of the Opera, for the same reasons.

But if we move away from the tourist attractions for the moment, there are a few other things you might enjoy doing too.

Visit the Gardens at the Palace of Versailles For Free

Visiting the Palace of Versailles is a treat no matter the month. But in March, you can see the gardens for free, which is even better.

The first time I went was in December, and I didn’t do the gardens as it was just too cold, but boy, are they worth seeing.

Once you get to April, you have to pay for a ticket as it’s when all the fountain shows, etc., start up again. So, if you’re planning a trip to Paris in March, I’d absolutely add a day in Versailles to your list of things to do.

The gardens at the Palace of Versailles are a masterpiece of French garden design created in the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV. 

Spanning over 800 hectares, beautifully manicured with ornate fountains and lush lawns, they were designed by the renowned landscape architect André Le Nôtre. 

Key Highlights of the Versailles Gardens:

The Orangery: there is an impressive Orangery beneath the Palace’s main terrace. Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart from 1684 to 1686, it houses over a thousand trees in boxes, including orange, lemon, pomegranate, palm, and oleander, some of which are over 200 years old. 

Fountains and Groves: The gardens are famous for their elaborate fountains, which come to life during the Musical Fountain Shows. The Apollo Fountain, depicting the sun god’s chariot emerging from the water, and the Neptune Fountain are the largest in the gardens, showcasing a magnificent display of water jets. The groves, small garden rooms concealed behind tall hedges, are filled with sculptures, fountains, and colonnades, offering intimate spaces to explore.

These have been featured in some of the movies made about Marie Antoinette, so might feel familiar when you see them.

Marie Antoinette’s Estate: Within the gardens, Marie Antoinette’s estate, including the Petit Trianon, the Queen’s Hamlet, and the Temple of Love, offers a glimpse into the private life of the infamous queen.

The Petit Trianon, a small château given to Marie Antoinette by Louis XVI, allowed her to escape court life and indulge in her love of the countryside. The estate reflects her tastes, with more informal and varied gardens than the main Versailles gardens, including the English-style gardens that surround the Petit Trianon and the rustic charm of the Queen’s Hamlet, a mock village where she could play at being a shepherdess.

See Paris in Bloom With the Cherry Blossom

The cherry blossom season in Paris typically begins in mid-March and can last until mid-April, but the peak times can vary depending on the weather each year.

It’s one of the main reasons I like to try and go in March every year, just to see the blossom.

Early March might be a bit early; however, some early bloomers might start showing their colours by the end of the first week of March. 

Areas around the Eiffel Tower, specifically the Champ de Mars, are the best places to go around the beginning of the month.

The Champ de Mars has stunning cherry trees that bloom from March through April, and of course, you’ve got the Eiffel Tower twinkling away in the background.

By late March, more spots across the city begin to flourish with pink and white blossoms, and I’d definitely head to the Jardin des Plantes for the best of the blossoms.

Spend a Day in Disneyland Paris

If you’re a Disney fan and Disneyland Paris is on your list, March is a great month to go. For a start, it’s less crowded, which means some of the busy rides like “Les Voyages de Pinocchio” and “Le Pays des Contes de Fées” aren’t going to have the queues.

Plus, if you decide to stay, the hotels are much cheaper as it’s just before the big Easter rush when the prices are decidedly higher.

Discover the English Bookshops in Paris

Believe it or not, there are quite a few English bookshops in Paris, and many of them are on pretty little streets with cafes nearby. 

I’ve always been a bookworm, and I adore bookshops, so an afternoon spent discovering bookshops in the city of love is about as good as it gets for me.

The Latin Quarter, primarily in the 5th arrondissement, is a good starting point. Here, you’ll find the legendary Shakespeare and Company, an iconic bookstore that has been a meeting place for English-speaking writers since the 1950s. Its historic ambience and extensive collection of English books make it a must-visit.

Moving towards the 6th arrondissement, the Abbey Bookshop is a lovely, cozy retreat, its narrow aisles packed with books ranging from classic literature to rare finds. 

And in the heart of the Marais district, within the 4th arrondissement, The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore has a great collection of English books, including contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and children’s literature.

Enjoy Lunch at a Bouillon Restaurant

Originating in the 19th century, bouillons were established to provide affordable, hearty meals to the working class, featuring traditional French dishes. They’ve recently seen a revival and give you a wonderful glimpse into the Parisian life of yesteryear.

Among the oldest is Bouillon Chartier, founded in 1896 with a gorgeous interior and timeless elegance. 

Bouillon Racine, established in 1906, offers a blend of history and Art Nouveau design, and Bouillon Julien, dating back to 1903, with its exquisite Art Nouveau interior.

It’s a great way to try some traditional French cuisine without breaking the bank, including food such as:

• Soupe à l’oignon: French onion soup, known for its rich broth, caramelized onions, and topped with a gratinated cheese crouton. My friend Michelle had it every day for five days straight when she was visiting from Australia.
• Boeuf bourguignon: A beef stew, slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms, onions, and bacon, the epitome of French comfort food. A favourite of American chef Julia Child.
• Coq au vin: Chicken braised with wine, mushrooms, onions, and sometimes garlic, which is seriously good. A lovely variation is to use white wine instead of red.

Discover the Vintage Carousels in Paris

Why not take a step back into the Belle Époque period in Paris and visit the vintage carousels dotted all over the city? It’s the perfect time of year to do this as it’s not too hot or too crowded, and if you’re lucky, they’ll be surrounded by blossom.

Most of them are near the Metro, so not too much walking involved. Three I’d definitely add to your list would be:

• Jardin du Luxembourg Carousel: dating back to 1879 and designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Opéra de Paris​​.
• Jardin du Trocadero Carousel: close to the Eiffel Tower in Belle Époque style, it has the perfect backdrop for photos.
• Jardin des Plantes Carousel (Dodo Manège): Uniquely themed around extinct and endangered animals, it’s a carousel with a modern twist that retains a 1930s style.

Take a Walking Tour and Unearth Some Hidden Gems

Paris is a very walkable city, especially with Metro stations everywhere for when your feet have given out. And one of the best ways to really see Paris is to do a walking tour.

I took my daughter on one in December, and it was fantastic. We saw everything without feeling rushed. We started in Montmatre and finished at the Louvre.

I was exhausted at the end, as it was five hours of walking, but I learned so much with all the little stories you don’t get in the guidebooks or anywhere else.

This is the tour I did with my daughter >>>

Events & Exhibitions in Paris During March

Paris is never short on things to do, and these events in March include everything from jazz to art.

Paris Animal Show Paris Expo Porte de Versailles March 13–15, 2026

If you have a dog, a cat, or even a rabbit, this one’s for you. The Paris Animal Show has been running for over 30 years and pulls in more than 35,000 visitors across the weekend. It’s one of the biggest events of its kind in Europe.

The program covers a lot of ground: canine agility competitions, breed demonstrations, talks from veterinarians and animal behavior specialists, and plenty of exhibitors covering everything from pet nutrition to training. It’s a real mix of entertainment and practical information, and the energy from the competitions alone makes it worth the trip.

Metro: Line 12, Porte de Versailles.

Cinéma du Réel Left Bank arthouse cinemas, Paris March 21–28, 2026

Cinéma du Réel has been one of the world’s most respected documentary film festivals since its first edition in 1978. This year marks the 48th edition, and for the second year running, it’s moving away from its usual home at the Centre Pompidou while renovation work continues, setting up shop in four independent arthouse cinemas on the Left Bank: L’Arlequin, the Reflet Médicis, the Saint-André des Arts, and the Christine Cinéma Club.

Around 200 films screen across the week, covering both an international competition and a French selection, with categories for feature films, short films, and debut works. The festival has always been selective about what it shows. It skips news reports and corporate films entirely, focusing instead on documentary work with genuine cinematic ambition and a filmmaker’s point of view.

Tickets range from 6 to 8 euros per screening.

Printemps du Cinéma Participating cinemas across France March 22–24, 2026

Three days, one price, every screen in France. During Printemps du Cinéma, any film at any participating theater costs just 5 euros, making it one of the most popular cinema weekends of the year. The annual event consistently draws people back to the big screen who might not have made it out in a while, and this year’s lineup gives them plenty of reason to go.

Films showing over the weekend include Project Hail Mary, Les Rayons et les ombres, The Bride, Alter Ego, and La Maison des femmes, among many others.

Drawing Now Paris Carreau du Temple, 3rd arr. March 26–29, 2026

Drawing Now Paris is the only art fair in Europe dedicated entirely to contemporary drawing, and it’s been making the case for pencil, ink, and paper as serious artistic mediums since it launched in 2007. The 19th edition takes over the Carreau du Temple for four days, with more than 70 galleries from 13 countries bringing around 300 artists together under the building’s glass roof.

The show spans the last 50 years of drawing practice, from established names to artists you won’t have heard of yet. There are also talks, performances, and professional events running alongside the main exhibition.

Open Thursday and Friday from 11am to 8pm, Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Tickets are 9 to 16 euros.

Metro: Line 3, Temple or Line 11, Arts et Métiers.

Where To Stay In Paris in March

What To Pack For Paris In March

March is a month of change, and you never know what you’re going to get, so it’s best to be prepared for all weather.

Here’s a list I use when I’m visiting Paris in the springtime:

Layered Clothing: Bring versatile layers that can be easily added or removed. Think long-sleeve tops, sweaters, and a lightweight thermal layer for chillier days. Layering is key to adapting to the day’s changing temperatures.

Waterproof Outer Layer: A waterproof jacket or trench coat is essential for those unexpected spring showers. Ensure it’s breathable so you can wear it comfortably over your layers.

Comfortable Footwear: Expect to do a lot of walking. Bring comfortable, waterproof shoes or boots with good support. Consider stylish yet practical options, as Paris is a fashion-conscious city.

Scarf: A scarf not only adds an extra layer of warmth but is also a staple in Parisian fashion. It can easily elevate your look while keeping you cosy.

Umbrella: Choose a compact, sturdy umbrella that can withstand windy conditions. Don’t worry if you forget like I did because everywhere sells umbrellas, but you might end up paying a premium for the convenience.

Sunglasses: Sunny days can be bright, especially when exploring outdoor attractions. A pair of UV-protective sunglasses will come in handy.

Hat and Gloves: Early March can still feel quite wintery, so a warm hat and a pair of gloves are advisable, especially for morning and evening outings.