“To know Paris is to know a great deal”.
The largest European city in Middle Ages will always stay a place of significance due to its history, beauty and culture. Over 12 million tourists chose to visit the city of fashion, love and lights in 2022. The capital of France is famous for the world-class cuisine, iconic landmarks, pavement cafés and terraces, its many museums and architectural marvels like the iconic Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame, Arc de Thriomphe, Louvre, Sacré-Cœur . No wonder Paris has been crowned a title of the world’s leading city following exceptional performances.
Over 10 milion visitors every years mixed with 2.5 milion people living on 105 km² area makes the city one of the most 5 densely populated in Europe. Crowded but very walkable. There are ways to avoid crowds, skip the lines and enjoy Paris beyond the typical hotspots.
Why April is a good time to visit Paris?
It’s not too cold or rainy with minimum temperature of around 7°C and average 12.4 rainy days , which is more than in September, the driest month. It’s mainly chilly in the mornings. You will enjoy the daylight in Paris for around 14 hours (2 hours less than in June!) with sunrise at 7 and sunset at around 9pm.
‘I love Paris in the springtime,’ sang Ella Fitzgerald. Paris in spring inspired as well Claude Monet to paint “In the Parc Monceau” or Camille Pissarro “Boulevard Montmartre in Paris”.
The flowers and trees start blooming all around quays, squares and parks full of locals having a picnic time, having a drink, playing pétanque or simply having a walk enjoying the cherry blossoms in Paris.
Crowds are there but it’s still bearable! Many Parisians are actually leaving the city during the Easter time.
April it’s an early beginnings of the tourist season. Hotel prices are cheaper than in summer. Airbnb might offer better prices and more authentic interiors than hotel rooms.
Top 3 exhibitions worth travelling for in April 2024:
# Egyptian Pharaohs From Cheops To Ramses II in Atelier des Lumières. Explore Egypt during the Pharaohs’ era through timeless masterpieces, delving into the legendary civilization with depictions of sand, as observed by French scientists in 1798-1801, and the enduring legacy of monumental sculptures, legendary battles, and divine treasures. Read more about this exhibition in our article about the most immersive art installations in 2024
# Science Expériences at Bercy Village. Experience the engaging fusion of museums and amusement parks in Bercy Village, seamlessly bringing science to life. It’s not only for children, you can surely inspire your own curiosity here. Science explores everything, from outer space to the deep sea, earth’s core, and our bodies. It includes medicine, biology, volcanoes, space, oceans, and teleportation, levitation, and lasers experiments.
# le Musée du Vin offers a diverse program featuring a restaurant, tasting classes, culinary experiences, temporary exhibitions, concerts, and Parisian evenings.
# “En amour” at Cité de la musique-Philharmonie de Paris. Get ready for a cool show at Philharmonie de Paris in 2024! Artists Claire Bardainne and Adrien Mondot created an interactive experience where you can dance for 40 minutes to awesome music and visuals.
# Transparences, the power of materials” at the Yves Saint-Laurent Museum. Yves Saint-Laurent showed a modern, strong, and free image of women using see-through fabrics like chiffon, lace, and tulle. In 2024, his museum will display over 40 creations, including the first topless blouse and a black dress with ostrich feathers. Explore the designer’s innovative language through sketches, patterns, photos, Goya-inspired drawings, and a stunning collection of hats, jewelry, and shoes
# “Frida Kahlo ¡Viva La Vida!“. The Grand Palais Immersif unlocks Frida Kahlo’s diary, found two decades posthumously in an immersive 2024 exhibition. The Opéra Bastille exhibit will unveil her personal life, interactions with contemporaries, and prolific artistic journey through monumental projections, visual animations, and soundtracks.
10 non touristy special things to do in Paris in April 2024:
# Festival du Livre de Paris / Paris Book Fair (April 12-14). The Paris Book Festival showcases contemporary publishing excellence. Its third edition highlights numerous authors, fostering literary genre exchanges. Nearly 300 voices resonate across six stages at the Grand Palais Éphémère and beyond, engaging a diverse and curious audience
# Egg hunts in the Parisian parks and gardens: Jardin d’Acclimatation (31.03 and 1.04), in the garden of the Rodin Museum (27.03), Parc André Citroën (31.03.2024)
# La Foire du Trône (March 22 – April 24)
# Street Art Tours Paris in Belleville, le Marais, Montmartre,
# Exploring Canal Saint Martin: Port de l’Arsenal – Bassin de la Villette (from Apr 1)
# Bassin de la Villette (Marin D’Eau Douce base) to take a lake trip with an electric boat
# Roller blading tour every Friday around 10pm organised by Pari Roller from Place Raoul Dautry
# Cooking class for beginners at Alain Ducasse’s cooking school
# Movie tour at Montmartre. From Lamarck-Caulaincourt to the Sacré-Cœur and from the Sacré-Cœur to Abbesses.
# Night bus tour around Paris organised by Big Bus Paris
# Have fun in one of the most off-beat location in Paris, Le Hasard Ludique, which is located in the former train station Avenue de Saint-Ouen. There is also another train station transformed into a bar, Le Gore
How to get the most of the Springtime in Paris in an unique way:
# Take a virtual reality tour first
Many services offer an opportunity to visit a place virtually. Google Arts & Culture features content which might give you a good preview of what to expect in reality. VR or AR spaces include museum collections or outside areas.
Here are some examples of 360 degrees view from different floors:
# Eiffel Tour 360 degrees view
# Explore Paris by foot!
- Walking combined with public transport is the best idea to visit such a compact city. Crossing Paris from north to south would take two hours, obviously without stopping by wonderful cafes or shops:)
- Taking 2 stops by metro might take the same amount of time as walking such distance.
- Some of the best memories are of strolling Paris through secret found places. Avoid public transportation in rush hours between 7-10 am and 5-8pm.
# Cross the entire city by bicycle seeing all the must-see monuments
- Take an easy bike ride along Seine to admire Eiffel-Tour, Champs-Élysées, Grand Palais, Place de la Concorde, Musée d’Orsay, Jardin des Tuileries, Notre-Dame.
- Cycle along Canal St-Martin from Place de la Bastille to Parc de la Villette
- Follow Metro Line 2 route from Arc de Triomphe, Parc Monceau, Pigalle, Montmartre, Halle Pajol, La Chapelle, Belleville, Cemetery Pere Lachaise to Place de la Nation.
# Avoid the crowds to fully enjoy top 5 Paris attractions
Tour Eiffel
# Tips & Hacks:
- Purchase the ticket in advance online. The visiting time is not limited, so make the most of your time up there before heading down. Walk on a glass platform located on the 1st floor, have a meal or drink in one of the restaurants, enjoy the 360-degree view.
- To bypass the lines at the base of the tower, fit tourists can hike up to the 1st level by foot.
# Best time to visit the Eiffel Tower is in the morning before 10.30 am or in the evening, after 8pm to see the light show. It´s open on Tuesdays unlike other museums in Paris.
# Unusual facts about Eiffel Tower:
- There is a replica of Gustav Eiffel´s secret apartment located at the top.
- Initially it was yellow. Every 7 years it´s repainted.
- In the west garden you can spot the tall brick tower which was is a former chimneystack supporting machinery operating the Eiffel Tower´s lifts
- Can be seen from many worth visiting spots in Paris
# Best views of Eiffel Tower:
- Bir-Hakeim bridge – taking pictures from under the bridge gives photos a different perspective
- Place du Tocadero at Sunrise is the perfect place to get the best photos of the Eiffel Tower
- Square Rapp, close to the art nouveau building offers a view surrounded with beautiful buildings
- Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Rooftop offers a panoramic view on Eiffel Tower along with the Sacré Cœur, The Garnier Opera, and more
- Passerelle Debilly – one of the best places to enjoy sunset in Paris
- Parc de Belleville – the highest park in Paris
- Parc du Champ-de-Mars – a large greenspace spreading beneath the Eiffel Tower, is a great way to get an idea of its immensity. For many it’s also a very good picnic spot. In April the blooming magnolia and cherry blossoms make a perfect framing.
# Unique things to do near Eiffel Tower:
- discover the amazing architecture of the Avenue Rapp near Les Invalides where some incredible art nouveau buildings can be found. Especially three richly decorated buildings are worth attention: Lavirotte’s building at 29 Avenue Rapp, 3 Square Rapp
- the most famous street market with local food and other hidden gems at Rue Cler
Louvre
# Tips & Hacks: Book a guided tour. Admission is free and closing is extended to 9:45 PM on the first Saturday of every month.
# The best time to visit the Louvre is on Wednesday and Friday evenings when the museum is open until 9:45 pm. Visiting Louvre in the evening gives the places a special atmosphere. The glass pyramid lights up at sunset. The statues are illuminated.
# Unusual facts about Louvre:
- There is a Napoleon´s apartment with rococo decor and paintings in the Richelieu wing on the first floor
- Before becoming a royal palace in 16th century Louvre was a fortress
- The glass pyramid has been built in 1989 designed by Chinese-American artist I.M.Pei
# Unique things to do near Louvre:
- have a breakfast at a tiny Baguett’s Café if you visit Louvre in the morning hours or a diner at artisanal-style Café Blanc
- Palais Garnier with the magnificent ceiling in its auditorium painted by Marc Chagall. Take a guided tour at 5pm when the Palais Garnier is closed to the public to see the largest opera house in Europe with the split staircase with grandiose decor, Grand Foyer at the top, and the auditorium.
- Rooftop Atrium of Galeries Lafayette
Arc de Triomphe
# Tips & Hacks:
- Go to the top if you wish to see the roads radiate out and the 360-degree view on Louvre, the hill of Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, avenue Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Centre Pompidou, Notre-Dame.
- Better not to across the road, take the underground passage to arrive at the arch.
# The best time to visit Arc de Triomphe is 11 am or 6pm. In the evening the streetlights are lit up and the whole 360 degree view of the connecting streets can be captured.
# Unusual facts about Arc de Triomphe:
- It´s located on one of the busiest roundabouts in Paris
- the initial construction plans included a 3-level monument to be built in the shape of an elephant
- it´s a centre piece of the historical axis of Paris (Axe historique de Paris), line of buildings and monuments located from the center to the west Paris
- the pillars are decorated with four sculptures: the thriumps of Napoleon by Cortot, the Departure of the Volunteers in 1792 by Rude, Peace and Resistance by Etex.
# The Best views of Arc de Triomphe :
- the best panoramic view of Arc de Triomphe and other Parisian monuments is from the Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck´s Terrace.
- Try as well another perspective by walking up the avenue des Champs-Elysées towards Arc de Triomphe. On 1st Sunday of each month the avenue is closed to motor traffic.
# Unique things to see near Arc de Triomphe:
- try one of the outdoor cafés for the Champs-Élysées watching people experience: Café Joyeux Champs-Élysées, Café Latéral, Terres de Café
- try macarons, éclairs, millefeuilles, tartelettes or simply a croissant at Ladurée
- forget Moulin Rouge and experience at Lido´s cabaret
- have a cultural break at a beautiful cinema Le Balzac
- inaugurated in 1926, the Arcades des Champs-Élysées passage is a historic monument designed in an Art Deco style. René Gobert worked on ironworks and René Lalique on glass and cristal decorations
- visit the Stamp market to find interesting souvenirs
- have a stroll at Gardens of the Champs Élysées full of beautiful pavilions, spring flowers, fountains and puppet theatre
Notre Dame
# Tips & Hacks: in 2023 the inside of the building is closed to the general public and it will be reopened in 2024. It´s worth visiting the cathedral from the outside with a walking tour.
# Mornings before 10 am are less busy for visiting. Evenings are great to admire Notre Dame from other spots, listed below
# The best views of Notre Dame :
- Square Jean XXIII – far from tourist spots, located behind the cathedral it´s a perfect spot for a relaxing break and to enjoy cherry blossoms in Paris in mid-April
- Seine river Bank – walking down near the river close to Pont de L’Archevêché gives you a perfect chance to capture Notre Dame from the rosace side surrounded with plants
- Petit-Point (bridge) – offers views on the facade surrounded with trees and less tourists
- Square René Viviani – home to the oldest tree in Paris, Robinia, planted in Paris in 17th century, guarantees a view framed with trees and flowers. In April it is one of the best cherry blossoms and magnolia location.
- Pont de la Tournelle – view from the bridge on the back of the cathedral
# Unusual facts about the Notre Dame:
- Gargoyles are carved stone mysterious creatures used to divert rainwater away from the roof of the cathedral. They are not from medieval times. Their symbolic role was to keep evil forces and demons away from sacred walls.
- The stained glass windows are original
- Point Zéro des Routes de France – Bronze star embedded in the pavement in front of Notre Dame from which are measured the distances from Paris to every part of metropolitan France are measured
# Unique things to see near Notre Dame:
- have a walk on the Ile de la Cité to discover hidden gems like Sainte Chappelle
- check Square du Vert-Galant and Square de l’Île-de-France, two tiny parks at the tips of the Ile de la Cité
- Place Dauphine – popular with pétanque players in the shade of the trees. It´s also the most spectacular and best known area in Paris for pink chestnut trees
- have some rest at A. Lacroix Pâtissier, 11 Quai de Montebello, grab a macaron or a coffee and look at Notre Dame rosace
- enjoy wisteria blooming at Au vieux Paris restaurant building and at La Grande Mosquée de Paris
- pink chestnut trees are planted on both sides of Rue dÁrcole which gives a perfect frame for the pictures of Notre Dame
- visit open-air market Marché Aligre
Sacré-Coeur
# Tips & Hacks:
- The morning sunlight and views of Paris of Sacré-Coeur are spectacular.
- The most pleasant way to get to the basilica is to visit the beautifully paved streets of Montmartre and discover the hidden gems:
- Get off at Lamarck Caulaincourt station and go towards the lovely Rue de l’Abreuvoir surrounded with beautiful buildings and trees.
- Pass by the lovely restaurant La Maison Rose, the vineyard, Vigne du Clos Montmartre, secret hidden garden Jardin Sauvage Saint Vincent
- Take the stairs of Rue du Mont Cenis and turn to the Rue du Chevalier de la Barre to admire the basilica
# Time to visit:
- With free entry it´s difficult to avoid crowds, so it´s recommended to get there between 7-11am.
- The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is open every day from 6:30 to 10:30pm.
# The best views of Sacré-Coeur:
- La Butte Bergeyre offers the best view of Sacré-Coeur and for sure non touristy
- Parc des Buttes Chaumont with fashionable park pavilions where Parisians like to frequent, a waterfall in the secret Grotto
- Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet and Square Louise Michel
# Unusual facts:
- the building is in the shape of Greek cross with four domes
- built with the Chateau-Landon stone that secretes a white substance hardening in the sun when in contact with rainwater
- it is the second highest point in Paris after Eiffel Tower
# Unique things to see near Sacré-Coeur:
- Musée de Montmartre
- Place du Tertre, a beautiful artists square
- Le Refuge des Fondus for solid dinner
- Grenier à Pain – follow the cliché and grab a baguette at the French bakery
- Halle Saint-Pierre – a place for modern art exhibits, book stores, modern cafés
Considering a Trip to Paris in April – Overview
It´s a great idea if you:
- want to avoid crowds in summer,
- experience the beauty of Paris in bloom
- do plenty of outdoor attractions as everything is open
- search for cherry blossoms in Paris blooming magnolias and wisterias
- enjoy evening walks when the days are already longer
- get excited with street markets
- want to spend time watching people in the sidewalk cafés and terraces
- want to explore the city by bike or on foot!
Is it safe to travel to Paris during protests? Visitors are advised to monitor the situation and check for updates before they leave but there are not currently any travel warnings in place for France.
Don´t forget an umbrella, comfortable shoes for walking and a jacket in case it rains and enjoy the springtime in Paris.
