Paris in March: Everything You Need to Know for a Flawless Trip

Paris March 2024, anyone? Paris is beautiful any time of year, but early Spring is the perfect time to visit for those wanting to experience a more authentic side of the city. In fewer words: less tourists, less expensive. In this guide, you’ll find out exactly what to expect when traveling to Paris in March and learn how to best prepare for your trip.

I spent one epic week in Paris in March. Having previously visited the French capital before in the summer, needless to say, I was a bit shocked and unprepared for all the differences just two months could make!

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Paris Weather in March: What to Expect

What caught me most off-guard about visiting in Paris in March was the weather.

In my head, March means the beginning of spring. Colorful blooms in front of the Eiffel Tower and breezy, sunny weather came to mind.

But when I stepped off the plane at Charles de Gaulle, that dream froze up quickly – along with my entire body!

Paris weather in March is a lot cooler than you might expect.

Some days, I was lucky enough to experience some fresh spring weather where I only needed a light jacket to explore comfortably.

Other days, I layered coat over sweater over t-shirt over tank top tucked into pants, pants tucked into socks – you get the idea.

The Paris temperature in March is an average high of 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius.)

The average low of Paris temperature in March is 40 degrees Fahrenheit (about 4 degrees Celsius.)

The city can often get windy in March. And once the sun goes down, it gets cold enough to need hats, gloves and a scarf, in addition to your coat.

The other thing to keep in mind is that Paris in March can be rainy. It is usually moderate and not huge storms.

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Paris Crowds in March: What to Expect

One of the best reasons to visit Paris in March is that the month falls outside the busy tourist season timeframe.

Paris, as one of the most famous cities in the world, will never be completely devoid of tourists. But in March there are way fewer tourists, making it an extra enjoyable time to explore the city.

You can see the excitement in my face above visiting the always populated Trocadero in the early morning. I was able to get so many cute Paris Instagram pictures here because it was nearly tourist-free!

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Paris Prices in March: What to Expect

Much like the rest of Europe, the time of year you visit highly correlates with the price of just about everything. Accommodation, car rentals, guided tours, and more all fluctuate greatly between high and low seasons.

In Paris, take advantage of low-cost accommodations like Airbnbs and apartment stays during this time of year. Still try to book everything as far as you can in advance for the best deals (especially car rentals if that’s how you’re choosing to get around.)

I stayed at this exact Airbnb for under $100 per night, steps away from the Arc de Triomphe!

Scour hotel booking sites for deals because you will be able to get very centrally-located places for a lot cheaper during this time period.

Having been to Paris also during the summer season, prices for food and experiences don’t fluctuate as much as accommodation can. Discover how you can best plan your Paris trip budget.

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What to Do in Paris during March 2024

• Take advantage of indoor activities. A walk along the Seine river is always nice, but there may be rainy days in March. It’s the perfect time to work in a day at one or two of Paris’ famous museums like the Louvre or Musée De Orsay.

• Calling all art lovers to visit the Drawing Now Art Fair, a super popular event in Paris.

• On March 3rd, 2024, the traditional parade Carnaval des Femmes returns. This is a colorful festival celebrating women that goes back to the 18th century!

• Watch athletes race up the Eiffel Tower at La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel on March 9th, 2024. The Eiffel Tower vertical race invites amateur athletes to climb the 1,665 steps of the famous landmark!

• Visit Paris Landmarks. It doesn’t get better than classic Paris. From Notre Dame Cathedral to the Moulin Rouge, to the Jardin des Luxembourg and the Centre Pompidou. And why not, a day trip to Disneyland Paris doesn’t hurt! Fewer crowds make all of Paris’ famous landmarks much more enjoyable to visit.

• Celebrate Easter with Easter Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral on March 31st, 2024.

Good to know: The famous Paris book fair, Salon du Livre, historically held during the month of March, will take place in April.

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Paris in March Packing List

To make one step of planning your trip to Paris easier, I created a printable packing list for Paris in March that you can download for free as part of The Travel Library! You’ll also find tons of extra travel and photography resources in The Travel Library when you sign up for my newsletter below for access.

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The most important thing to keep in mind when packing for your trip to Paris in March is that most days, the weather is quite chilly. Spring hasn’t fully arrived, so even on days where the sun is shining, it’s going to be colder than you expect.

When I visited Paris in March, I experienced a mix of both cold and cool days. Some days you’ll need sweaters and extra layers, while others you’ll just need a light overcoat to get around the city comfortably.

The best packing strategy for Paris in March is to bring versatile layers!

Here are some essentials to pack along with you:

• At least one thicker coat
• Light jackets
• Scarf & Gloves (especially useful at nighttime)
• Hat or headband that covers your ears
• Tops made for layering
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Universal Outlet Adapter
• Portable Charger

You’ll find the more in-depth list in The Travel Library, but everything mentioned here are those specific extras you should add to your suitcase because of the time of year you are traveling to Paris.

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Extra Travel Tips to Keep in Mind for Your Trip

• It’s more scenic to get around on foot, but be realistic about how much walking you want to do if it’s too cold. You may want to consider getting to know Paris’s metro system as a backup way to get around. I love to stroll the streets of Paris, but sometimes it was so cold that we just wanted to find a taxi and get home. Taxis are expensive and at times hard to find, so I wish we had felt confident enough to navigate the metro!

• Fewer tourists don’t mean less pickpocketing. Paris is a huge city, so pickpocketing is a threat to tourists year-round. I always travel with my WANDRD photography backpack with anti-theft features or you can opt for this affordable anti-theft backpack or PacSafe brands that have quality bags on a budget to protect against pickpocketing.

• Incorporate ways to warm up in your itinerary, if you get a day that is particularly cold, like sipping world-famous white hot chocolate at Angelina’s. One of my favorite unique things to do in Paris is exploring the cafe culture and there’s not one more perfect for a cold day than Angelina! This historic cafe has luxurious pastries and teas to boast but a must-try is their white hot chocolate.

Are you planning a trip to Paris in March in 2022? Let me know if this guide was helpful!

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I hope this guide has helped you while planning your trip to Paris in March!

XOXO

Michela