Paris in March 2027: Weather, Events & Things to Do

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been to Paris every single month of the year and have lots of experience visiting the City of Light under a variety of circumstances. My mother-in-law’s birthday is in March, and we often make it a point to be in Paris (where she lived for 30 years before moving to Auvergne) to celebrate with her.

Here is the secret that only frequent travelers know: March is one of the best months to visit Paris. You’ll enjoy amazing weather, save significantly on travel costs, and be able to experience unique walking tours and festivals.

Why should you visit Paris in March?

The weather in Paris in March

These days, I don't think knowing the average temperature is still relevant. The weather has been so erratic the last few years that you can't count on an “average.” It’s the last few weeks of winter, and the weather in Paris in March is in that zone where it can be comfortably cool in the morning and evening, but the sun can warm you to the core during the day.

You will likely experience a few rainy days too, so be prepared.

Sunny days are absolutely possible! You may still need a scarf, but otherwise, you can spend the whole day outdoors—enjoying both the sun and a lovely breeze.

Weather patterns over the past few years have been very unpredictable, so I want to share the averages and what we have seen in the last few years. (I used World Weather Info as my source of information.)

• March temperatures: cooler than you might expect. The average high temperature is around 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and the low is about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wind: The transition from winter to spring can bring a fair amount of wind, especially as the month progresses
• Rain: March in Paris often brings showers, though they are typically moderate, rather than severe storms.
• Snow: It happens! But the snow melts faster at this time of year.
• In 2026, the average daytime temperature was 58°F/14°C; the average nighttime temperature was 49°F/9°C. See additional historical data in the chart below.

March is low season

However, since March still isn’t peak “tourist season,” you can avoid the crowds and lines. Even top attractions have only a few visitors, so you can take your time to savor the scenery and take gorgeous photos. It’s like having Paris all to yourself.

It's the last month of the low season, and airfare, travel, and hotel prices are considerably lower than in the summer months. If you’re on a budget or simply want to get a better deal, booking your Paris trip in March—just a few weeks ahead of the Spring season—can help you save hundreds of dollars. You’ll also have your choice of seats and rooms, and may even be able to negotiate for upgrades.

What can you do in Paris in March?

There are the usual things that many first-time (and second-time) visitors will want to do when you’re in the French capital: see the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre (especially after the most recent Lupin hoopla!), stroll down (and shop) the Champs Élysées. Not my cup of tea, but I get it. But there are some special March activities and festivals worth making time for between all the other attractions. 

Salon International de l'Agriculture

Held at the Porte de Versailles from February 27 to March 7 in 2027, the Salon de l'Agriculture is one of the biggest events on the March calendar. It is an enormous farm and food fair where you can taste regional products from every corner of France, meet the animals, and eat extremely well. Go early to beat the crowds.

Attend a Film Festival

Cinema was invented in France with the first film and device created by the Lumière brothers in 1895, so it is only natural that film festivals are an important part of the cultural landscape. Paris holds several annual film festivals in March.

The International Documentary Film Festival (or the Cinéma du Réel) is your chance to see the work of award-winning directors, as well as emerging new talent from all around the world. The Printemps du Cinéma, held in the last days of March, brings together some of the year's best foreign films at cinemas across the city, with tickets around 5 euros per screening in recent years. Many small cinemas participate, so it is an easy and inexpensive treat.

Visit the parks and gardens

The earliest spring flowers are starting to appear, so grab your camera and take a stroll. Aside from the famous cherry tree blossoms that line the city’s prettiest streets, make time for a proper day trip to one of the most famous parks and gardens.

Try the Jardin de Luxembourg (in the 6th arrondissement), a 25-hectare park where you can have picnics or take a ride on pedal karts, swing boats, or even on a pony! This is a great place to take your kids.

If you have a tight itinerary, swing by the Jardin des Tuileries (in the 1st arrondissement) after visiting the Louvre. This beautifully landscaped park was designed by André Le Nôtre and features terraces, hexagonal ponds, and replicas of famous statues and sculptures.

But to see the most flowers (and even some zoo animals), go to the Jardin Des Plantes (57 Rue Cuvier in the 5th arrondissement). This botanical garden boasts over 10,000 plant species, including rare blooms that are kept in tropical greenhouses. The garden was founded in 1626.

Be sure to include this in your itinerary when you visit Paris in March! If you want to see flowers and birds, go to the Le Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil (3 avenue de la Porte d’Auteuil in the 16th arrondissement). It first opened in 1895 to cultivate plants for the city’s parks, gardens, and other public spaces. After visiting the greenhouses, visit the tropical pavilion—where you’ll find many birds as well as ponds teeming with Japanese carp.

Lastly, the wonderful gardens at Palais Royal (in the 1st arrondissement). This famous royal residence not only has beautiful gardens and pavilions but is now home to some of the finest boutiques and restaurants. You can find perfumes, antiques, designer labels, and artisan shops that sell hand-crafted items (like the famous glove-makers Lavabre Cadet and Maison Fabre).

Go window-shopping, enjoy the weather with an alfresco lunch, and stroll around the perfectly manicured gardens. You can also book a table at the Michelin-starred Restaurant du Palais Royal, or the famous Grand Véfour restaurant (a favorite haunt of Zola, Collette, and Proust, and also recently spotted on Emily in Paris!).

Depending on the weather, the blooms will start towards the end of March. It lasts a week or two maximum, so you could get very lucky! You can find trees throughout Paris.

Go on a balloon ride

Want to visit a garden and get a fantastic view of the city? It's a personal favorite of mine. Head to the Parc André Citroën (in the 15th arrondissement). This park has a very unique “postmodern” vibe, with themed gardens and computer-controlled fountains.

Designed by Gilles Clément and Alain Prévost, it combines nature and art – a living exhibit, so to speak. The highlight of the trip is a balloon ride, which offers a breathtaking view of the entire garden and surrounding areas.

I know it may seem weird to do a balloon ride in March, but trust me, it's lovely; I've done it!

Watch the Eiffel Tower Vertical Race

Every March, there is a “vertical race” at the Eiffel Tower, where athletes climb its 1,665 steps. There are time trials and heats to qualify, so it's not something the average tourist is going to do, but you can watch!

Cheer on the Semi de Paris (Half Marathon)

If you are in Paris in early March, the Semi de Paris half marathon is a fantastic (and free) thing to watch. Around 50,000 runners wind through eastern Paris, usually on the first Sunday of the month (March 7 in 2027). Even if you are not lacing up yourself, the energy along the route is contagious.

Catch the Carnaval de Paris

One of the city's oldest and least touristy traditions, the Carnaval de Paris takes place in early March with a free costumed parade, the Promenade du Boeuf Gras, that winds through the eastern neighborhoods and ends at Place de la République. It is colorful, a little offbeat, and completely free, which is very much my kind of Paris.

Take a champagne cruise on the Seine

I am a huge fan of the Bateau Mouche as a way to both see the sights and rest. Any boat ride on the Seine will allow you to see the city from a different angle, and you can’t visit Paris without going on a Seine River cruise, especially if there is champagne involved!

The weather is perfect for a slow, relaxing ride past some of the most famous monuments. In the evening, you can sip your bubbly under a starry night and toast the beginning of Spring.

Take an Art Walking Tour

Enjoy the great weather, art, and even history with a guided tour through Montmartre (the 18th arrondissement). This famous village was home to some of the greatest artists and poets. Visit the house of Vincent Van Gogh (54 Rue Lepic), one of the earliest studios of Picasso (49 Rue Gabrielle), and the windmill cabaret (a.k.a the Moulin Rouge, 82 Boulevard de Clichy) that was painted by no less than Renoir.

Many local guides offer the tour; some also include a ticket to the Musée d'Orsay, where you’ll see many famous Impressionist works. It’s one of the most popular Paris art tours! I have done this tour in the spring, and the extra show that the gardens and blooming trees add to the walk is phenomenal!

Take a Gourmet Food Tour

Paris is synonymous with gourmet food, but it’s hard for tourists to know where to find the best restaurants or even what to order. A guided food tour—accompanied by a guide who can help explain the history, ingredients, and traditions of the dishes—can help you fully appreciate why and how the city got its culinary reputation.

You can do a chocolate tour or a gourmet tour that includes cheese and wine samplings. The point is, with the nice weather in March and fewer tourists, any type of outdoor tour, particularly if food is involved, is so much more enjoyable at this time of year! See more food-related activities below!

Other Events

• Saut Hermès: an annual show jumping competition held under the glass roof of the Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement (3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower), usually in the second half of March.
• Salon Destinations Nature: a festival dedicated to hiking and the outdoors at the Porte de Versailles in the 15th arrondissement, held March 11 to 14 in 2027.
• Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show: a weekend-long event at the Parc des Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte, featuring all things pop culture, including Japanese culture, comics, video games, cosplay, and more.
• The European Days of Crafts (Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art) is the perfect time to look behind the scenes of all artisanal crafts across Europe, held March 30 to April 4 in 2027. It is free, but several venues have limited registration.

Culinary Delights of March in Paris

Oh, you know me. This is always my favorite part! No trip to Paris is complete without a deep exploration of all the eats. You should definitely try the classics, but don't forget the season, either!

Macaron Day (March 20)

A very popular day in France and beyond, bien sûr! If you are in Paris on March 20, you can visit many patisserie shops and take advantage of Macaron Day, where many of the boutiques give out free (or offer packaged deals on) macarons, including special edition flavors.

Here is where to find the best macarons in Paris!

What to eat in Paris in March

Many restaurants offer seasonal menus, so it is always good to know what is actually in season! Paris has many tastes to experience, but during the winter there are some seasonal specialties. If you visit the marchés (farmers' markets), you will see many of the items listed below.

• Fruits in season: kiwis (France is the 5th largest producer of kiwis in the world), apricots (abricots), cherries (cerises) (look for the dessert cherry clafouti to start showing up on menus mid-March), strawberries (fraises), lemons, pears, and pineapples.
• Vegetables in season: March is the start of the asparagus (asperges) season! You'll also find artichokes (artichauts), beets (betteraves), carrots, English or snow peas, Fava beans (haricots de Fava), Green beans (haricots verts), green garlic (ail vert), potatoes (pommes de terre), radishes (radis), rhubarb rhubarbe), spinach (épinard), arugula (roquette), endives, escarole, chicory (chicorée), Vidalia onions, leeks, cauliflower, and zucchini.
• Seafood is wonderful in March! Look for dishes featuring these in restaurants. This is what is in season: Pollack or (lieu jaune) from Brittany, cod, coley, sole, oysters (from Brittany, especially Cancale), haddock, skate, scallops, monkfish (lotte), sardines, clams, and mussels.
• Did you know that there are seasonal cheeses (fromages)? It’s true! March is the last of the season for fondue cheese such as Comté, Emmenthal, and Beaufort (here are my recommendations for the best fondue in Paris). Also seasonal in March are Mimolette (also called “Vieux Hollande”), Coulommiers, and Pont-l'Évêque AOC.
• In the restaurants (tips for dining in Paris here), Salade Niçoise is a very popular spring salad that you will see on the menu. You'll see spinach soufflés and a spring soup with leeks, potatoes, carrots, and fresh asparagus. It may not quite be lamb season, but you can still get the last of the winter stew dishes, such as navarin d’agneau, which is perfect if there's still a bit of chill in the air. In brasseries and Alsacian restaurants, you will find Baeckeoffe, a spring casserole with lamb, pork, or beef marinated in white wine with berries, mixed with sliced potatoes and onions.

Save on food costs by visiting the local markets and shops.

Paris restaurants can be expensive, and while it’s worth splurging on one good meal, you don’t want to blow your entire travel budget just on food. Luckily, you can find a lot of treats at the local markets (here's the etiquette).

You can also ask the hotel staff or locals to recommend small cafes and bistros they frequent. This may save you from “tourist rates” and will definitely have good food. March is also the first month when having a picnic is realistic with warm afternoons. Buy at the local market and head to one of the 9 ideal picnic spots in Paris.

Important tips to remember

Book ahead.

While there are fewer crowds to compete with, booking your slot or buying your ticket ahead of time can save you a lot of frustration. Many places have also adjusted their schedules and hours in recent years, so check their websites for the most up-to-date information.

Take the metro.

While walking around Paris is certainly one of the best ways to really enjoy its culture and architecture, taking public transportation can help save time—especially if you want to maximize your stay in Paris. Your hotel can provide a metro map, and most establishments will list the nearest station.

Here is my complete guide to the metro.

What to Pack for Paris in March

Dress in layers.

To make the most of your visit to Paris during this transitional month, pack strategically. With the range of temperatures, you'll want to balance staying cozy with embracing the emerging spring. Here are my packing list recommendations to help you prepare for both unpredictable weather and the enchanting experiences Paris has to offer.

1. Layers, Layers, Layers: Lightweight sweaters, cardigans, and long-sleeve shirts you can layer to adapt to changing temperatures.
2. Comfortable Jeans: Pack comfortable jeans or trousers you can dress up or down.
3. Dresses and Skirts: Pack a couple of dresses or skirts of various materials for a touch of elegance on milder days.
4. Socks and Tights: Don't forget to pack socks and tights for layering.
5. Stylish Coat: A versatile trench coat or a chic overcoat to stay warm and fashionable.
6. Scarf: A fashionable scarf not only keeps you warm but also adds a touch of Parisian flair.
7. Umbrella: March can bring showers, so a compact umbrella is always wise to have on hand.
8. Gloves and Hat: Keep your extremities cozy with gloves and a stylish hat.

I have a full post on what to pack and wear for spring in Paris; make sure to check that out. Mornings can be cold and gradually warm as the day passes. So, it’s best to wear a scarf and dress in layers, so you can shed the jacket at the end of the day.

What Shoes should I pack for Paris in March?

Navigating the cobbled streets and grand boulevards of Paris in March calls for footwear that is as practical as it is stylish. The city's early spring weather, while not severe, means you want shoes that can handle cool temperatures and the occasional rain shower with ease.

1. Waterproof Boots: Preferably with a good grip for walking on potentially slippery cobblestone streets.
2. Warm and Comfortable Walking Shoes: For exploring the city.
3. Sturdy Dress Shoes: For more formal occasions or dining out. Thin heels are not advised!

What Bag should I Pack for March in Paris?

Choosing the right bag is a crucial yet often underappreciated aspect of your Paris packing list. In a city where fashion meets functionality, your bag choice can define your travel experience. Here are the perfect companions for your Parisian escapades!

• Waterproof tote bag: You'll fit right in as a local, and you can carry bags inside it if you shop. I recommend water-resistant or waterproof!
• Small cross-body bag: Keep your most important items in a small bag you can wear close to you and under your coat.
• Two-sided coin purse: You will have a lot of coins and nowhere to put them. I prefer the 2-sided ones so I can separate coins from bills.

See all my bag advice and favorites here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paris in March

Why is March the best time to visit Paris?

Paris is beautiful any time of the year, but going there in March can help you make the most of your limited time and money. With fewer crowds, you can visit more places without worrying about lines. You’ll also enjoy off-season rates and can even find special packages.

Have you ever visited Paris in March? What was your experience? Did you go to any events? Do share!

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