Paris in March 2026 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, prices in hotels and excursions. What to do and see in Paris in March, where to go in France – says Eurotraveler.
Let’s figure it out, is spring for pragmatists or romantics? Especially its starting month, which in Europe is generally unclear what time it refers to?
Or does it gravitate towards winter, and nature is not always freed from snow captivity everywhere? Either during this period the cold weather recedes and everyone begins to stretch out to light, warmth, renewal?
There seems to be no clear answer. In many ways, again, it all depends on perception.
A reasonable person will certainly notice that European weather in March extremely unstable. But a more optimistic citizen will claim that he feels in the atmosphere special aroma and movement.
And, of course, he will be right. Especially when it comes to March in Paris!
A city extremely popular among tourists and travelers of all social classes, incomes and age categories. And that’s why in some months it’s too crowded…
But not in the spring. In any case, not at the beginning!
What’s worth knowing
- Is it true that March is too cold a month in Paris? Yes and no – in most cases air temperature does not leave the range +5-12 °C. Although in the middle and end of the month you can expect warming up to +15 and even +18 °C
- Are there few tourists in Paris at the beginning of spring? Compared to the high season, the period from May to October, much less. At the same time, many of those who come are convinced: March and April are the best time to visit the capital of France
- What time does it get dark in Paris in March? At first at 18.35, and on the threshold of April – at 20.20. The length of the day gradually increases from 11 until almost 1 p.m.
Weather in Paris in March
In the first half of the month it cannot be considered warm and sunny. At night, drops to +2-4 and even zero degrees Celsius are possible.
During the day, however, the weather will still create virtually ideal conditions for long walks along the streets and embankments
This is because usually the air temperature in Paris in early March during the day fluctuates between +7-10 degrees Celsius. And at the end of the first ten days of the month it is even able to please townspeople and visitors with rises in the range of +11-13 °C.
In mid-March, the Parisian weather makes an effort not to miss out on what has been achieved – it seems to fluctuate between winter and spring (from +7 to +13 °C). But starting from the 20s approximately numbers it’s starting to get warmer.
So at the end of March, Paris sometimes experiences temperatures ranging from +15 to +18-20 degrees Celsius. And literally plunges into foam blossoming gardens!
However, on some days there are also (shocking) temperature drops down to just +10-12 °C. Either the Arctic cyclone comes out of place, as always, or capricious nature simply decides that it’s enough to pamper the Parisian population…
Naturally, this does not happen every year. But the main thing you should understand is the Parisian climate in early spring cannot boast of stability.
And I’m always ready to give you a surprise!
Therefore, you have the right to expect that on Women’s Equality Day, that is, March 8, the weather in Paris will won’t freeze. And even more – it will allow you to move around the city for a long time and without harm to your health – reviews of such walks at the very beginning of the Parisian spring are simply overflowing with delight.
Starting from the middle of the month, you can start and forget about warm clothes! Not abruptly, of course, gradually – changing into stylish coats and light, but still warm, jackets.
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Worth keeping in mind
Nights throughout March are possible severe cold snap. It usually doesn’t reach frosts, but after sunset the atmosphere readily cools down to winter values.
Humidity is high, but not excessive. In most cases it does not exceed 70%.
As for the rains, sometimes they can be quite stormyas if they intend to clean the city after the winter. The average precipitation (40-50 mm), however, is also not particularly high. And the number of rainy days does not exceed 6-7 per month.
On March 1, the sun rises over Paris at half past seven in the morning. And he comes in 11 hours later, at half past seven in the evening (18.35).
A month later, it does this an hour earlier (6.30) and about 50 minutes later (20.20). So what is the length of the day in Paris by April? increases to almost 13 hours – yourastroguide.ru/sun-calendar/march/paris/.
How to dress
Apparently – diverse! Even if you expect to bring home a lot of gifts from Paris and deliberately leave a lot of empty space in your suitcase don’t overdo it.
Because if you don’t take enough warm clothes with you, you can significantly ruin your travel experience. Especially in the modern era, when calls for energy savings are heard in Europe (including in hotels).
In general, we advise you to take into account all the advantages that come with light but warm quilted jacket and boots with thick soles. Don’t forget about sweaters and jackets, just in case, take scarves or neckerchiefs with you, even gloves and berets.
Light hats may also be useful for children, especially if your plans include a walk along the Seine. Or, for example, you are planning a day trip from Paris to Normandy (the region is coastal and therefore damp).
Many reviews also report on the practical value of taking an umbrella with you on a trip. Although some may prefer to wear weightless bright raincoat. To leave your hands free, you will have to take a lot of photographs!
Prices 2026
During this period, citizens can still be happy if they know how much hotels in Paris cost at the peak of the season. Everyone else, of course, has the right to talk about expensive.
Because even for an amount of about 140-150 € for two per day, you can find a room far from the city center. And if it is, for example, the 10th arrondissement (Northern and Eastern stations), know that you are still in luck!
Try booking a room at the modest but good Hotel Paris Louis Blanc, which is located just next to the metro station of the same name. And if it doesn’t work out – someone has already gotten ahead of you – pay attention to other worthy (!) options. Which, however, may also be already occupied.
In particular, we recommend paying attention to the simple, but trying to maintain its brand, hotel Korner Montmartre. It also seems to be located in a fairly emigrant area (18th arrondissement, Montmartre), but is praised in reviews.
The snow-white Sacre Coeur basilica, as if blessing the huge city from the Montmartre hill, as well as the always lively Place du Tertre, are a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Even closer are the Abbesse and Blanche metro stations, from which quick access to the center of Paris.
A small studio or slightly larger private apartment at Le Bellevue in Mesnilmontant looks like backup option in case you can’t find something better. Although they have, perhaps, the only drawback – the 20th arrondissement is clearly not the heart of Paris.
But you can take a walk nearby in a quiet park. And you can walk to the metro in less than 10 minutes.
Excursions
You shouldn’t count on significant discounts when booking excursions around Paris in March. The maximum you can save is 3-5 € per person.
Popular activities include a variety of cruises on the Seine. After all, from board a river boat you will see almost all the most interesting things that Paris has to offer.
But for a walking tour around the city center in the company of a real live guide who speaks the same language as you, you will have to pay from 35-40 €. However, someone will consider this amount not too much of a price to pay for the opportunity to hear a coherent story from an erudite person, often replete with interesting little-known facts.
Things to do
From all of the above, it probably became clear to you that March in Paris is in every sense transition period between winter and spring. However, due to the fact that there is no snow, and the sun is sometimes almost as hot as summer, the opportunities that open up here for a person with imagination are literally inspiring!
Most will probably prefer not to reinvent the wheel and plan to visit interesting places in Paris that have not been visited before. And it’s quite possible that tourists will want to visit some of them again.
It’s no secret that meetings Louvre and Orsay Museum There will be something to surprise you, even 2-3 times. And the panoramas that open from the Eiffel Tower usually give so much joy that it is simply unreasonable not to try to get a new portion.
Again, you can try a modern alternative – climb the Montparnasse Tower
We recommend visiting other Paris museums in addition to the Louvre in March. In order to make a deep immersion into the world of beauty precisely at a time when feelings are especially heightened.
Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, Tuileries and Place de la Concorde, Luxembourg Gardens, Latin Quarter, Pantheon and Sorbonne, Les Invalides? All this can be partially or fully examined during walks around the capital of France, waking up after winter!
We would also advise you to set aside a day or two to visit attractions located relatively nearby (there are so many places within a radius of 100-200 km that not visit in a week).
Those who come to the main French metropolis not for the first time can easily go even further. From Paris you can travel by train to Amsterdam or London in just a few hours!
Where to go
Trip to Normandy: to visit the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and see Rouen – mandatory business for anyone who comes to France.
Moreover, the beginning of spring on the English Channel coast is a time of strong tides. This means you will have a great chance to watch this majestic natural phenomenon.
The Museum of Impressionism in Giverny at this time of year still closed – take this point into account
But in Ile-de-France, nothing will stop you from visiting the collections of the Chantilly Palace. Visit the Compiegne residence of the French kings, pay a visit to the literally fabulous Pierrefonds castle.
Or go further south. For example, see the castles in the Loire Valley, where most of the famous French chateaus live.
Spring comes to Orleans and Blois, Angers and Tours a little earlierthan to Paris. And therefore, you are unlikely to freeze if you decide to spend the whole day in the parks that are starting to turn green.
Someone will decide that March is the time to visit the Mediterranean Sea. Although by land – even by fast train – you can get from Paris to Nice in at least 6 hours.
However, seeing the brightest turquoise of the Mediterranean Sea and the French subtropics starting to prepare for the high season definitely justifies the investment of time and effort!
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© Eurotraveler
