Paris in March

Cool, changeable; gardens waking up.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

March is rated good. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatPleasant; several bank holidays close shops and museums.
• JuneGreatLong evenings; Fête de la Musique on 21 June.
• SeptemberGreatWarm, fewer families; fashion week and heritage weekend crowds.

• ParisHighs around 12 °C (54 °F), lows around 5 °C (41 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 54 °F (12 °C), lows around 41 °F (5 °C), rain on about 10 days
• Paris and the north, France · Paris, Lille, Champagne, Normandy inlandfine

  Grey, damp winters; late spring and September are the sweet spot. Paris heatwaves hit 35–40 °C (95–104 °F) in July–August and most flats and small hotels lack air conditioning.Grey, damp winters; late spring and September are the sweet spot. Paris heatwaves hit 95–104 °F (35–40 °C) in July–August and most flats and small hotels lack air conditioning.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Paris Fashion Week (autumn-winter) check

  Late February to early March · Across the city

  Hotel prices rise.

• Winter school holidays big impact

  Mid-Feb to mid-Mar (by school zone) · France

  Four staggered weeks fill ski resorts and Alpine trains; book Alps lodging months ahead.

Crowds · France overall

Low

Prices · France overall

Low

France overall: Changeable; the south warms first. Châteaux and village hotels start reopening late in the month.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Paris, side by side.

• A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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