7 Ways to Enjoy Paris in the Spring

Spring is finally on its way! The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer, parks, gardens and café terraces are filling up, trees burst into bloom and cherry blossoms around the city provide the most gorgeous setting for your spring break in Paris! Join the Parisians as they move their way outdoors to enjoy the longer days and the array of exciting events that spring offers!

#1:  Hunt for the Cherry Blossoms Throughout the City

Wander down any Parisian road in March and April and you’ll likely see a cherry blossom tree. Although to make sure you don’t miss them, here are some of the best spots around Paris where you will be sure to find them:

One of the most well-known spots is in front of the Eiffel Tower (in Trocadero Gardens and Champ de Mars), a perfect spot for a scenic picture of cherry blossom flowers in full bloom with the Eiffel tower in the background! Cherry blossom trees can also be found in the central courtyard of the Petit Palais, at square Jean XXIII (south side of the Notre Dame Cathedral), at the Martin Luther King Park or at the Père Lachaise cemetery.

For the most breathtaking cherry blossom orchards take a short ride south of Paris on the RER B to the Parc de Sceaux, a.k.a the Holy Grail for cherry blossom hunters. The best way to experience the magic of being completely surrounded by cherry blossom trees at peak bloom is to go within the first two weeks of April.

#2: Admire the Spring Colors in Paris’ Parks and Gardens

The first park definitely worth a stroll is the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. This park offers 25 hectares of green spaces filled with magnificent trees and flowers, a moving bridge, a waterfall plunging into a circular lake and a temple perched on a large rocky cliff. Often missed by tourists because of its distance from the main attractions, it is one of the locals’ favorite parks, especially popular for strolls and picnics during weekends. To fully immerse yourself into the local life, rent an apartment outside of the main tourist areas during your stay in Paris.

This 3 bedroom duplex furnished apartment in Belleville, Paris is perfect for an extended stay in Paris with your family or group of friends this spring and is located only a block away from the park! Grabbing treats from home, rolling out a blanket and heading to the park will be your favorite weekend activity during the spring!

Another spot relatively unknown to tourists but worth the trip is the Bois de Vincennes.  Covering an area that’s almost three times the size of NYC’s Central Park, its woods and gardens, fields and lakes give visitors the impression of being somewhere far from the city, even though it’s only located a few minutes away from central Paris.

Smaller but even more charming than the two previous parks, Parc Monceau it is a must see in the spring for nature lovers and photographers. Its exotic flowers and trees, natural beauty and touches of ancient times inspired many French artists including Monet who painted six views of this romantic park.

A trip to Paris in the spring would not be complete without a visit to the Jardin des Plantes, offering the widest variety of flowers, plants and trees that can be admired in Paris.

#3: Explore the Seine river banks

Running through the very heart of Paris, the Seine River is the epicenter of the city and springtime is the perfect time of the year to enjoy it. Walking along Paris’ Seine riverbanks and across the many bridges is a great way to explore the city on foot. Start at the Jardin des Plantes and walk past Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde and Les Invalides, finishing at the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero. Browse the many book sellers along the way, stop for a refreshment at one of the many floating cafés and restaurants, or simply enjoy the views of and from the many beautiful bridges.

End the day beautifully with a dinner on the private balcony of this three bedroom vacation rental apartment located on Paris’ Ile Saint Louis. Exposed beams, hardwood floors and French windows overlooking the Seine River – it doesn’t get more authentic than this!

#4: Eat and Drink Outdoors

Nothing exemplifies living like a true Parisian like enjoying a long meal or a drink on a terrace in the springtime. With cafés on nearly every street corner, you can easily find a terrace to sit down for an hour or two, but here are a few hidden gems for special moments:

 

Rose Bakery is a peaceful tea salon located in the courtyard of the Musée de la Vie Romantique. Enjoy brunch in a poetic atmosphere on the shaded terrace under the trees or in the garden’s greenhouse.

Ralph’s is a chic and secluded spot located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, serving American cuisine in an authentic French setting: a paved courtyard with fountain, parasols and comfy striped banquettes.

Anne is the best kept secret in the Marais, nestled in the courtyard-garden of a 5-star private mansion on Place des Vosges. With only 20 seats, this gourmet restaurant away from the Parisian hustle and bustle is the ultimate spot for a romantic evening, birthday or another exceptional moment.

Renting a vacation rental apartment in Paris will also allow you to enjoy eating outside but without breaking the bank! As a plus, you will get to use the kitchen whenever you need. Check out this alcove studio vacation rental accommodation in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris and the review from a client who stayed in it during the spring: “The view from the balcony was perfect for watching the sunset over the city and it was a wonderful spot to have a quick breakfast before heading out for the day. You even get a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower”.

#5: Go Running or Cheer on Runners!

Paris has many running races throughout the spring season, the most famous being the annual Paris Marathon which this year will be on April 5, 2020. Whether you are running or watching the runners, you’ll get to enjoy some of the top Paris sights, as the route passes by the Champs Elysées, Louvre and Eiffel Tower.

Cheer on runners from the balcony of this two bedroom Paris furnished rental in Le Louvre directly overlooking rue de Rivoli, part of the route of the Paris Marathon! For the rest of your stay in the city, you will be conveniently located within walking distance of most of Paris’ top attractions.

Out of all the running races, the 5km Color Run is the funniest and most colorful of all, where volunteers throw 100% natural colored powder at the runners at each kilometer of the run, with non-stop music provided by a live DJ. No competition here as the goal is really just having fun and crossing the finish line as colored as possible!

#6: Attend a Spring Funfair or Music Event

Spring also signals the start of outdoor fairs and festivals. The Foire du Trone in Paris is the oldest traditional funfair in France. Three hundred and fifty or so attractions will spread over 10 hectares on the Pelouse de Reuilly in the bois de Vincennes from March 27th to May 24^th, 2020.  Free and outdoor concerts are held at the Villette Sonique annual music festival from 21 May 2020 to 24 May 2020.

The Opera de Paris offers an affordable way to experience music at the spectacular Paris Opera House in the spring with 2 events: “Tous à l’Opéra”, on Saturday May 9 and Sunday May 10, 2020 with free entertainment open to all: public rehearsals, concerts, costume and makeup workshops, backstage tours, etc. The “Midis Musicaux” (lunchtime music) will be held in the stunning Palais Garnier where musicians of the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Paris will perform during lunchtime, for a fraction of the price it usually costs for a ticket to the Opera.

#7 Join in the Easter Celebrations

If you’re visiting Paris on Easter weekend, you’ll find plenty of things to do. Attend the Vivaldi’s Four Seasons classical concert at the Madeleine Church on Easter Sunday.

Chocolate lovers, what better place than Paris to indulge in your addiction on Easter weekend! You’ll find sweet chocolatey treats in patisseries and chocolate shops all around the city. For some of the most refined and artistic chocolate creations, check out one of the two stores pastry chef Jacques Genin has in Paris. Shop for small hens, lovely bells or a chocolate Benedict egg at La Mère de Paris, Paris’ oldest chocolate store dating from the 18th century, or go for the playful, cartoon-like creations of La Maison du Chocolat that will delight children and adults. For Easter 2020 the chef’s creations will include a fish-shaped submarine, a rusty chocolate ship, and a cute chick in a diving suit, all 100% handmade and based on dark, milk and ivory chocolate. Let’s be honest, few people actually buy these often pricey creations, but it’s fun to window-shop!

If you are traveling with kids, mix playtime with tourism during Easter weekend and go egg hunting! Every year many Easter egg hunts are organized by the City of Paris with thousands of eggs hidden in the capital’s most beautiful gardens as well as workshops, games and contests. Last year 40,000 colored eggs were hidden in the gardens of Parc André Citroën. The roof of the Grande Arche at La Defense was transformed into a farm with donkeys, baby goats, geese, rabbits and baby chicks. Workshops, games, a maze and of course, an Easter egg hunt were also part of the program. The Montmartre Museum welcomed children from 2 to 12 years old for an Easter egg hunt in its gardens, the Jardins Renoir. Playful animations, giant egg hunt and decorated eggs contest were also on the menu at the Parc Zoologique of Paris. Another hunt took place on Easter Sunday in front of the Eiffel Tower on the Champ-de-Mars.

Make sure to check this year’s calendar of events so you don’t miss out on the fun!

Remember, Easter in Paris is a busy time, so book your things-to-do, as well as your Paris vacation rental or furnished apartment now!