Experience the splendid outdoors of Paris during your spring visit. [Photo credit: Rdevany CC BY-SA]
Spring is on its way! The weather is getting warmer, days are stretching longer, and parks, gardens, and café terraces are buzzing with life. Trees are blossoming, and cherry blossoms create a stunning backdrop for your spring break in Paris. Join the locals as they embrace the outdoors, enjoying the longer days and the array of thrilling events that spring brings!
#1: Search for Cherry Blossoms Across the City
As you wander through Paris in March and April, you’ll likely encounter cherry blossom trees in full bloom. To ensure you don’t miss out, here are some of the top locations to catch these beautiful blossoms:
One iconic spot is in front of the Eiffel Tower (at Trocadero Gardens and Champ de Mars), where you can capture breathtaking photos with cherry blossoms framing the Eiffel Tower. You can also find cherry blossom trees in the central courtyard of the Petit Palais, at Square Jean XXIII (the south side of the Notre Dame Cathedral), the Martin Luther King Park, and the Père Lachaise Cemetery.
The Cherry Blossom Hanami festival celebrated at Parc de Sceaux, Paris. [Photo credit: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra CC BY 2.0]
For a truly mesmerizing cherry blossom experience, take a short ride south of Paris on the RER B to the Parc de Sceaux, a paradise for cherry blossom lovers. The best time to visit is within the first two weeks of April to see the trees at their most magnificent bloom.
#2: Savor the Vibrant Spring Colors in Paris’ Parks and Gardens
One park that deserves your attention is the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Spanning 25 hectares, it features stunning trees, flowers, a moving bridge, a waterfall that cascades into a circular lake, and a temple set atop a rocky cliff. Often overlooked by tourists due to its distance from main attractions, it is cherished by locals for leisurely strolls and weekend picnics. To fully embrace local Parisian life, consider renting an apartment away from tourist hotspots during your stay.
This three-bedroom furnished duplex apartment in Belleville (PA-4335) is just a block away from Parc des Buttes-Chaumont!
This furnished three-bedroom duplex apartment in Belleville is ideal for a family or a group of friends looking to enjoy an extended stay in Paris this spring, conveniently located just a block from the park. Grab some snacks, roll out a blanket, and head to the park—this will be your favorite weekend pastime.
Another lesser-known yet remarkable spot is the Bois de Vincennes. Covering an area nearly three times larger than Central Park in New York City, its vast woods, gardens, fields, and lakes make visitors feel as if they are far from the city, even though it’s just a short distance from central Paris.
For nature enthusiasts and photographers, Parc Monceau is a must-visit in spring. Its exotic flowers and trees along with historical elements have inspired many French artists, including Monet, who captured six views of this enchanting park.
Discover a myriad of flowers, plants, and trees from around the world at Paris’ Jardin des Plantes, home to the Museum of Natural History. [Photo credit: Chris Waits CC BY 2.0]
No spring trip to Paris would be complete without visiting the Jardin des Plantes, where you can admire an extensive variety of flowers, plants, and trees.
#3: Discover the Seine River Banks
The Seine River flows through the heart of Paris, and springtime presents the perfect opportunity to appreciate its beauty. Strolling along the riverbanks and crossing its various bridges offers a unique way to explore the city. Start your journey at the Jardin des Plantes and make your way past notable landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde, and Les Invalides, concluding your walk at the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero. Feel free to browse the many book vendors along the way, stop for refreshments at floating cafés and restaurants, or simply enjoy the views from the city’s beautiful bridges.
This charming three-bedroom vacation rental (PA-3085) is located on Ile Saint Louis, featuring a small balcony overlooking the Seine River.
End your day perfectly with dinner on the private balcony of this three-bedroom vacation rental on Paris’s Ile Saint Louis, complete with exposed beams, hardwood floors, and French windows that overlook the Seine River—an authentic Parisian experience!
#4: Dine and Drink Outdoors
Nothing captures the Parisian lifestyle quite like enjoying a leisurely meal or drink on a terrace during spring. With cafés practically on every street corner, finding a terrace to relax on is easy. Here are a few hidden gems for those special moments:
Savor lunch in the secret garden of The Musée de la Vie Romantique, enveloped in lush greenery. [Photo credit: Paris Sharing CC BY 2.0]
Rose Bakery is a tranquil tea salon located in the courtyard of the Musée de la Vie Romantique. Enjoy brunch in a poetic ambiance, either on the shaded terrace beneath the trees or inside the garden’s greenhouse.
Ralph’s offers a chic and secluded dining experience at the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, serving American cuisine in a captivating French setting complete with a cobblestone courtyard, fountain, and cozy striped banquettes.
Anne is the best-kept secret in the Marais, hiding in the courtyard-garden of a luxurious 5-star private mansion on Place des Vosges. With only 20 seats available, this gourmet restaurant offers an idyllic setting for a romantic evening or special celebration away from the bustling Parisian atmosphere.
Enjoy a morning coffee on the balcony of this cozy alcove studio vacation rental in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (PA-2473), offering a stunning view over Paris’ rooftops.
Renting a vacation apartment in Paris allows you the luxury of dining outdoors without overspending! Plus, you get access to a kitchen whenever you need it. Consider this alcove studio rental in Saint-Germain-des-Prés; guests have praised its splendid balcony view overlooking Paris. One guest remarked, “The view from the balcony was perfect for watching the sunset over the city, and it was a lovely spot for a quick breakfast before heading out for the day. You even catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower!”.
#5: Go for a Run or Cheer on Runners!
The Paris Marathon allows both runners and spectators to enjoy the city’s beautiful sights along the route. [Photo credit: © Marie-Lan Ngu-yen / Wikimedia Commons]
Throughout spring, Paris hosts numerous running events, with the Paris Marathon being the most famous. This year’s marathon is scheduled for April 5, 2020. Whether you decide to participate or cheer from the sidelines, you’ll pass by some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the Champs Elysées, Louvre, and Eiffel Tower.
Watch the Marathon runners pass by on rue de Rivoli from the comfort of this furnished two-bedroom Paris rental (PA-3231).
Cheer on the marathon participants from your balcony of this two-bedroom furnished rental in Le Louvre, conveniently located along the marathon route on rue de Rivoli. You’ll find yourself within walking distance of many of Paris’s top attractions for the rest of your stay.
Join the Color Run adventure in Paris on Sunday, March 29, 2020, for a colorful experience! [Photo credit: bobostudio CC BY 2.0]
Among all running events, the 5km Color Run is the most amusing and colorful. Participants are showered with 100% natural colored powder at various checkpoints, all while a DJ provides energetic music. This event is about fun rather than competition, so participants focus on crossing the finish line as vibrantly as possible!
#6: Attend a Spring Fair or Music Event
The Foire du Trône in Paris returns this spring for 60 days of fun, games, and experiences for all ages! [Photo credit: Vincent Desjardins CC BY 2.0]
Springtime also marks the beginning of outdoor fairs and festivals. The Foire du Trône in Paris is France’s oldest traditional funfair, featuring around 350 attractions spread over 10 hectares at the Pelouse de Reuilly in Bois de Vincennes from March 27th to May 24th, 2020. Free outdoor concerts will occur at the annual Villette Sonique music festival from May 21 to May 24, 2020.
Don’t miss the chance to attend a concert at the breathtaking Palais Garnier in Paris! [Photo credit: Peter Rivera CC BY 2.0]
The Opera de Paris offers an affordable opportunity to enjoy music in the stunning Paris Opera House during spring with two events: “Tous à l’Opéra” on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2020, featuring free activities for everyone, including public rehearsals, concerts, costume and makeup workshops, and backstage tours. The “Midis Musicaux” during lunchtime features the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Paris performing at the magnificent Palais Garnier, all at a fraction of the usual ticket price to the Opera.
#7: Participate in Easter Celebrations
If you’re in Paris during Easter weekend, there are numerous activities to enjoy. For example, you might attend Vivaldi’s Four Seasons concert at the Madeleine Church on Easter Sunday.
Easter provides a wonderful excuse to indulge in delicious chocolates while visiting Paris! [Photo credit: Peakpx]
Chocolate enthusiasts will find Paris to be the perfect place to indulge their sweet cravings over Easter! Various patisseries and chocolate shops around the city offer delightful treats. For exquisite and artistic chocolate creations, visit one of the two shops owned by pastry chef Jacques Genin in Paris. You can find charming chocolate hens, lovely bells, or a chocolate Benedict egg at La Mère de Paris, the city’s oldest chocolate shop dating back to the 18th century. Alternatively, delight in the whimsical chocolate designs at La Maison du Chocolat, which will feature playful characters for Easter such as a fish-shaped submarine, a rusty chocolate ship, and a charming chick in a diving suit, all made entirely by hand from dark, milk, and ivory chocolate. Although these creations are often pricey, window shopping is a delightful experience!
Enjoy a delightful family outing at one of the many Easter egg hunts organized every year in Paris. [Photo credit: Pxfuel]
If you’re traveling with children, combining playtime with sightseeing is easy during Easter weekend by partaking in an Easter egg hunt! Each year, the City of Paris organizes numerous egg hunts across the capital’s most beautiful gardens, alongside workshops, games, and contests. Last year, the Parc André Citroën hosted a remarkable egg hunt with 40,000 colored eggs hidden throughout the grounds. The roof of the Grande Arche at La Défense was transformed into a farm featuring donkeys, baby goats, geese, rabbits, and baby chicks. Workshops, games, a maze, and of course, an Easter egg hunt were all part of the festivities. The Montmartre Museum invited children aged 2 to 12 for an egg hunt in its gardens, Jardins Renoir, while the Parc Zoologique of Paris also organized a big egg hunt and a decorated egg competition. Another hunt took place on Easter Sunday in front of the Eiffel Tower on the Champ-de-Mars.
Be sure to check this year’s event calendar so you don’t miss out on the fun!
Keep in mind that Easter in Paris can be quite busy, so be sure to book your planned activities, as well as your Paris vacation rental or furnished apartment, well in advance!
