Paris in March
March is one of those months that gets lost in the shuffle of Paris travel. It’s not notorious for being dark, wet and cozy, as winter is. Nor is it bright and sunny as the summer. There may be thunderstorms or possibly summer-like weather. It can truly be a gamble. That doesn’t mean that it’s a bad time to visit the French capital - in fact, it can be a great time. The sleeping city is starting to wake, you’re hitting the businesses as they gear up for tourist season and warm weather. There’s a freshness, and the idea that spring is just around the corner.
At this time of year, you can still benefit from fewer crowds, low season pricing, parks and gardens beginning to bud and seasonal cultural events. Today, we are dedicating this post to talking about some of the best things to do in Paris this March, interspersed with our top tips for Paris in March, and why it’s still a great time to be here.
Is It Good To Visit Paris In March?
March is a good time to visit Paris, you just have to be prepared, and know what to expect (see our pro and con list below) That’s where we come in. This blog will cover the basics - weather, what to wear, and some exciting events happening in March of 2026. If you want an even deeper dive into Paris, be sure to check out our Guide to Paris. You’ll find the best coffee in Paris, the best restaurants in Paris, and various articles on how to prepare and make your trip the best it can be. Oh, and it’s access for life.
Pros
- Visit Paris without the usual crowds - this time of year there are fewer tourists, and fewer Parisians
- Benefit from off-season pricing
- Shorter lines to top attractions
Cons
- You aren’t guaranteed good weather
- The top of the Eiffel Tower could be windy!
- Might have to pack more - for anything can happen.
What Is The Weather Like In Paris In March
March weather in Paris is, as we mentioned above, a gamble. With highs of 60°F and lows of 40°F, you can pretty much count on cold mornings and warmer afternoons. There are likely to be scattered showers that pass through, but they don’t usually linger as they do in the winter months. Of course, sometimes there are flukes (we had a false summer start and a week of 80°F weather a few years ago!) But as a general rule, you’re looking at crisp and fresh air.
The end of March into early April is also the cherry blossom season. Sometimes, like spring of 2025, the blossoms come early, and sometimes they’ll sleep a little longer. But if you’re visiting at the end of March, you might get some beautiful blossom photos of the trees waking from their winter slumber.
On the sunny days that you might be lucky enough to have in Paris, you might be interested in a picnic or a walk in the park. And you just might be interested in doing this somewhere away from your typical tourist crowds. Check out our favorite Paris hidden gardens, hiding right in plain sight.
What To Pack For Paris In March
Far be it from us to assume your personal fashion sense and style, and how much you may or may not want to keep that up in Paris. That said, we want to give you a little advice on what to pack to best enjoy your visit to the City of Light.
Comfortable Shoes
You’ll want a couple pairs of very comfortable shoes for visiting Paris. Chances are you’ll be logging 10K+ steps if you’re able. We recommend having at least two pairs of shoes, as even the most comfortable ones can feel less nice after a few days of tens of thousands of steps. Also, chances are one pair will get wet and need to dry out. If you have little boots for rainy weather, all the better!
An umbrella
Not much to say here. Bring an umbrella. Not a really expensive one - it’ll break in the wind, or chances are you’ll leave it in a café. If you don’t have an umbrella, or have no room to pack one, you can purchase one on the ground in Paris. Makes for a great souvenir.
Your Wise Card
Wise, formerly known as Transferwise, is our number one recommendation for taking your money overseas. You can add money in USD, and then transfer it to EUR right in the app, and use the card as you travel - whether to tap and pay for a coffee or to withdraw cash to tip your tour guide.
Gloves
Mostly to hold the umbrella. When it’s chilly and rainy, naked hands start to feel like ice cubes real quickly.
Sunglasses
Yes, you’ll want these along with your umbrella. It sounds counter intuitive, but such is the drama of Paris. Take these out and about with you every day. What might start as a rainy morning could end as a sunny afternoon, and when that glare hits the wet streets… you’ll want those sunglasses!
Rain jacket
Again, it goes without saying. Even better if it’s a loose fitting rain jacket so you can layer underneath. Did someone say trench coat? The ultimate Parisian coat is a trench. Which brings us to…
Layers
Pack in light layers. If it is 60°F in the afternoon, you’ll want to be able to peel off the jacket and the sweater.
Anti-pickpocket Jeans
Okay, yes, we were suspicious, too. But Jay now has several pairs of jeans from Aviator, and not only are they stylish and comfortable, but his wallet, passport, and phone are literally hidden from pickpockets. Go check out their technology - it’s great for the modern traveler, someone who might not want to wear a bag, or your partner who keeps absentmindedly putting their phone in their back pocket (definitely a no-no!)
The Best Guide to Paris
And we stand by that. Our Guide to Paris is the best one out there. Hundreds of food recommendations, and if you get the Guide+, you’ll get three pre-made full-day itineraries and access to Jay’s exclusive audio walking tours. If you don’t like it, we’ll get you your money back.
What To Do In Paris, France In March 2026
Perhaps it’s not the best weather for a Seine River cruise (or perhaps you’ll risk it anyway), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a myriad of cool things to do in Paris this March. We updated this blog in February of 2026 to reflect some of the most interesting things on the agenda this month - and this is just the tip of the iceberg!
48th Edition of the International Documentary Film Festival
March 21-28 2026
Okay, so this one might be for a very niche market, but part of why we do these monthly blogs is so that we can highlight some extra special and unique experiences in Paris. You can find out what’s on the agenda here - there will be screening locations primarily in the 5th and 6th arrondissements of Paris.
Martin Parr at the Jeu de Paume
January-May 2026
We’re particularly excited about this one. For the first part of 2026, you can find a really unique exhibit of Martin Parr’s work at the Jeu de Paume. The Jeu de Paume photography museum is located at the end of the Tuileries garden, and overshadowed by the Orangerie next door, is often overlooked. Marin Parr’s exhibit Global Warning is filled with bright, colorful photography that will simultaneously make you feel joyful, nostalgic and even fearful for the future. Learn more here.
Le Petit Grand Festival de la Philharmonie de Paris
March 28-29 2026
Here’s one not to miss for the kids - perhaps their first festival? Le Petit Grand festival will provide a fange of activities and concerts for kids, and takes place at the prestigious Philharmonie of Paris. This is already off the beaten path, and is well worth the visit. It’s also a great opportunity to experience Paris the way locals do - as you can bet they’ll be bringing their kids to this celebration of music, too!
If you’re looking for more things to do as a family in Paris, whatever the season, be sure to check out our blog on what to do in Paris with kids.
Renoir and Love at the Musée d’Orsay
March 17 to July 19 2026
The Musée d’Orsay is already a must-visit in Paris. While decidedly on the beaten path, its permanent collection is always worth a visit, and often its temporary exhibitions will keep you coming back for more. This year, they’ve organized a huge collaboration with the National Gallery in London and the Musem of Fine Arts in Boston. This collaboration is a detailed retrospective into Renoir’s life and artwork. We have a feeling you won’t want to miss this.
All About Love at Le Grand Palais
Through April 6 2026
Looks like we have a theme today… it’s almost as if Paris is the city of love? This exhibit will include paintings, photography, immersive installations, and collages celebrating Black Women. The exhibition is inspired by the book “All About Love” by Bell Hooks, and this is Mickalene Thomas’s first solo exhibition in Paris. It’s surely not to be the last, and it’s not to be missed. Grab your tickets here.
BONUS! Take a tour with Txango Tours
If walking tours aren’t your thing, that doesn’t mean all tours are going to tire you out. Have you ever considered motorcycle and sidecar tours? No? We hadn’t either, and then we went on Simon’s tour with his company Txango Tours. This is a guided tour unlike anything you’ve been on before. In rain or shine, you’ll zoom around Paris and tick so many monuments off of your to-do list, all while getting some stellar historical information and quite a few laughs, whoever your guide is. We’ve sent many people to Txango over the last few years, and we’ve had nothing but good feedback.
BONUS TIP: DON’T visit the Centre Pompidou
We had to be the bearer of bad news, but the Centre Pompidou is closed until 2030 (but there are still great places to eat nearby) It’s undergoing huge renovations, and yes, that means that the restaurant Georges and the gorgeous view are also off limits. (However, you can see a Matisse exhibit at the Grand Palais, thanks to a collaboration between the Pompidou and the Grand Palais!)
Thankfully, we have other recommendations for rooftop bars. Like the bar on top of SO/ Paris. Already a niche and fantastic hotel, the Bonnie Bar takes it up a notch, with fantastic cocktails and stunning views of the city. To learn more about it, and get more rooftop recommendations, grab our Guide to Paris.
Still thinking of visiting Paris in March? We think you should do it. Whether this year, or next, it’s one of the calmest months to visit Paris while still getting decent weather and all those good Parisian vibes.
This blog might contain affiliate links, which, if clicks, will result in us gaining a commission. This helps us run Paris in My Pocket and allows us to continue offering you additional content for free.