10 Magical French destinations to visit during spring in France! | solosophie (2023)

FAQs

What do the French celebrate in spring? ›

With spring in France comes the festivities of Easter (Pâques in French) and many other public holidays and festivities such as May Day, the Ascension, Pentecost and the festival of Cannes…

Spring is pleasant across the country, with fewer crowds and temperatures ranging from 55°F to 68°F. They can rise up to 84°F in summer, but aren't too hot to stop you from exploring the cities, mountains, and countryside.

In France, April Fool's Day is simply known as the '1er avril' but it is a day when people, mostly children, try to hook paper fish on the back of unwary victims which will then walk around with a paper fish on their backs without their knowledge. Like in the UK, it is a day for pranks and jokes.

In France, April Fools' Day is known for the “poisson d'avril” (April Fish). That tradition dates back to 1564.

Late spring and fall are best, with generally good weather and lighter crowds, though summer brings festivals, animated villages, reliable weather, and long opening hours at sights.

So if you dream of being in Paris in springtime, you should plan to visit in the months of, March, April, and May with mid-march to the end of April presenting the best chances of seeing the trees and flowers in full bloom.

Spring. The weather in Nice in the spring is warm, with highs of around 21 °C in May. Rain is also likely, particularly in April when Nice can expect an average of 73 mm of rainfall throughout the month.

Visit the warmest place in France: French Riviera

With the weather you can never be certain, but on average, from the end of April through to September you will be walking around in shorts and flip flops.

What is the number one tourist attraction in France? ›

1. Eiffel Tower. The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is a feat of ingenuity as much as it is a famous landmark. This structure of 8,000 metallic parts was designed by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary exhibit for the World Fair of 1889.

The French celebrate the traditional Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter. They mark May Day, also known as Labor Day, on May 1. Victory in Europe Day on May 8 commemorates the end of hostilities in Europe in World War II. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14.

April Fools' Day in France – A French Tradition

In many countries around the world April 1 is a day to have fun and play harmless jokes on your family and friends. Known as April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day it is particularly enjoyed by children.

The 1st April (1er Avril) is known in many countries as 'April Fool's Day' and today remains one of the most widely celebrated non-religious festivals in France. In French, April Fool's Day is known as 'Poisson d'Avril' (April Fish).

April marks the early beginnings of the tourist season. Hotel prices are cheaper than stays during the peak tourist season between July and September. The Crowds. Paris is the most visited city in all of Europe.

i) Fête des Grands-Mères – Grandmother's Day

Unlike North America which celebrates both grandparents together in September, in France, Grandmother's day is in March, while Grandfather's day is in October.

May Day or La Fête du Travail is a public holiday in many countries including France. It is an occasion to celebrate workers rights, but also to offer some lily of the valley flowers to loved ones!

The warmest regions of France in April are Provence, Dordogne, Carcassonne and the French Riviera.

Spring in France

Pleasant, temperate conditions tend to reign in spring, with chillier temperatures in March and early April giving way to warmer weather later in the season. Overall, depending on your destination and trip dates, expect temperatures to range somewhere between 50 F to 75 F.

Spring (March - May)

A popular time of the year to visit the French capital, spring in Paris starts out chilly with daily highs of around 54°F (12°C) in March. By May the weather warms up to a very pleasant 68°F (20°C) - perfect for spending the day exploring the city's beautiful gardens and parks.

What is Paris like in the spring? ›

What's Paris' spring weather like? The weather in Paris in spring is starting to warm up. Temperatures rise from an average high of 12°C (54°F) in March to 20°C (68°F) in May, with overnight lows from 5–11°C (41–52°F). It's a great time to explore the city before it gets too hot.

Spring (especially April and May) and autumn (particularly September and October) are ideal for visiting Paris, as crowds will be thinner, but the weather will be nice.

September and October are arguably the best months to be in Paris — a brisk breeze seeps into the air, Paris Fashion Week is in full force, and turning leaves line the city's most scenic jardins.

The best times to visit Nice in the French Riviera vary from year to year, but typically April through June and September through October are considered excellent times of year for visiting this area on the Côte d'Azur. These months often feature warm days with some nice beach weather during July and August.

It's Still Warm and Sunny

True, the chance of some grey skies or a thunderstorm every now and again are slightly higher in springtime, but the region overall is known to have over 300 days of sunshine per year – so, no need to worry!

South of France weather April 20210

You can get some absolutely scorching days in April. The temperature can literally climb 8-10^oC in the space of an hour. The average temperature in South of France during April is 17^oC and there are on average around 8 days during the month when it rains.

Provence in Spring

The market stalls are piled with spring vegetables like artichokes and asparagus. Cafés throw open their doors to greet the sun, It's a great time to sit outside sipping coffee and eating croissants. Trees blossom and flowers bloom; the fields and vineyards become oceans of every shade of green.

Is South of France Nice in April? ›

April is a really good month to visit France. The weather is great in the south, where it is not too hot but already warming up well, and still mild in the north—although not so chilly that you can't enjoy time outdoors.

April transitions to Provence's shoulder season when visitor numbers increase, yet there are still bargains to be had. The weather is warm during the day and though there are plenty of April showers, they're short and give way to clear blue skies that characterize the south coast.

Cyprus is the hottest destination in Europe in April due to its location in the eastern Mediterranean. On the south coast around Paphos, Ayia Napa, Larnaka and Limassol you can also expect temperatures of up to 25 degrees.

Those looking for a beach break will find plenty of tropical sunshine in destinations like Mexico, Thailand and South Africa. Meanwhile, city breakers can enjoy pleasantly warm sunny days in European cities like Rome, Athens and Madrid.

Paris, the Capital

Look no further: Paris is the most beautiful city in France and also the most romantic. For many people, Paris is the first contact with the country, the final destination or the starting point for fun road trips through France.

Nice. Located on the French Riviera close to the Italian border, Nice is the second most-visited city in France.

Located in the Dordogne Valley, Rocamadour is indisputably one of the most beautiful villages in France. With its perched basilica and multiple fortified gates, this city in the Lot department never ceases to amaze its visitors.

New York (Total International travelers: 13.60 million) Istanbul (Total International travelers: 13.40 million) Tokyo (Total International travelers: 12.93 million)

Why France is the best place to visit? ›

France consistently tops the list as the world's most visited destination – and it doesn't take much imagination to see why. Its winning formula of captivating cities, awe-inspiring landscapes – including the Alps and the Pyrenees – an enviable coastline and some of the world's best food and wine is hard to resist.

French people wish each other “Joyeuses Pâques”. Easter traditions in France include chocolate, bells, eggs, rabbits, chicken and lamb! French people traditionally eat lamb at Easter, the most traditional dish is a leg of lamb cooked in the oven with provençal herbs, cumin, garlic and olive oil.

Bastille Day is France's National Day, analogous to Independence Day in the U.S. Its formal French name is la Fête Nationale, and is celebrated every year on July 14. The holiday commemorates the turning point in the French Revolution.

France is known all around the world for Paris and its monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame cathedral. French people are very passionate about their culture and art, which is showcased in many museums like the Louvre.

French people tend not to visit unannounced or uninvited. To do so is considered rude. When invited to a dinner, it is common for guests to ask their hosts if they are required to bring something on the day. Guests may also bring a bottle of wine or dessert.

Equality and unity are important to the French. The French also value style and sophistication, and they take pride in the beauty and artistry of their country. Family is also highly valued in French culture.

Since its origins, Easter has been a time of celebration and feasting and many traditional Easter games and customs developed, such as egg rolling, egg tapping, pace egging, cascarones or confetti eggs and egg decorating.

While in the United States, ham is popular as a main course, in France, the typical Easter main course is a leg of lamb. The dining table is often set with pots of flowers for decoration. Side dishes can include cold asparagus served with a vinaigrette sauce, boiled eggs, and chives.

What are 10 of the most important events in the French Revolution? ›

There are no holidays in France today.