mlprcarr

I have read that the best time to go to Paris is around Spring time when it's a lot "warmer" and cherry blossoms / flowers in general are in full bloom, however I was told that it still very cold around the times that we're going. We will be in Paris April 14-19 and while I was thinking of bringing just pull overs, I was told to bring trench coat. With all that, are our dates recommendable around those times? Would Paris be freezing cold? My husband and I would love to see Paris by foot, so he's kind of hesitant walking and freezing to death (over exaggerating, you get the gist. lol ) I am so close in booking a ticket and just wanted to see people's opinion about the weather there before I commit to a date. Is it better to just book in May?

All suggestions / opinions will be greatly appreciated!

sandralist

May is sometimes rainier.

https://weather-and-climate.com/aver...e,Paris,France

pariswat

April can be miserable and cold and can be very nice.
In frech we say 'en avril ne te découvre pas d'un fil, en mai fais ce qu'il te plait'

it translates into 'in April keep yoursel warm'.

Christina

To be honest, I often take some kind of light jacket even when I am going to Paris in summer, I would never go in April with only a sweater. This isn't something weird about Paris, I don't know where you live, but April weather can really vary a lot from very warm to very cool, where I live in mid-Atlantic region of US.

April is warmer than winter, but obviously not warmer than a lot of other times of year. Of course it won't be freezing cold, not sure where you heard that. YOu can look historical weather up. Should be in 40s at night and 50s to low 60s daytime http://www.holiday-weather.com/paris/averages/april

this was this year http://www.accuweather.com/en/fr/par...il-weather/623

Sarastro

On the whole, April is quiet cold. Things do not generally warm up until May.

Carrying only sweaters for April is not a good idea. A warm coat, umbrella, and waterproof shoes is the appropriate April attire.

nytraveler

Paris isn;t even literally freezing most of the time in the dead of winter and April - while not hot - is definitely spring and very pretty.

If you are very sensitive to cold (do you wear a coat whenit's 60s at hom - I never would) take a raincoat or jacket - but I wouldn;t - just a couple of sweaters and one of those tissue weight rain jackets with hood just in case.

mlprcarr

I live in California so our perception of "cold" is totally off. Those weather can still be walkable, right? I dont know anyone who has experienced Paris in April, so I'm on the fence.

Ackislander

Days in the 60's, nights in the 40's and low 50's, a fair bit of rain. Or it could be perfect every day. But the numbers above are rough averages. LA in the winter?

Sarastro

I walk through Paris all through the winter, it is cold but usually not below freezing, at least not usually during the daylight. However, I have always consider April cold. As a reference, in April I often think of the song <i>April in Paris</i> with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. I have concluded that Mr. Harburg probably was in Paris during the month of April when he wrote the words:

<i>I never knew the charm of spring</i>

For that, he would have certainly had to wait until May.

gardendiva

We went the last week in April and it was beautiful. It only rained off and on one day. I would say that it was in the low 60"s during the day and a little cooler at night. We took light sweaters and light spring coats. We live in Michigan and the weather was about the same in Paris as it was at home.

We were a little disappointed because the flowers were not yet in bloom and all the bulb flowers had already been dug up. However, it was still very beautiful.

northie

I've been to Paris in April and we wore our winter coats - not heavy ones but what we wear inMelbourne when it's winter about 15 C . It was lovely to walk around

powhatangal

I was in Paris last April 2nd thru 12th. First day was cloudy but no rain. Every day thereafter was sunny and beautiful. Temps were in the 60's to upper 60's during the day. I had a quilted mid weight coat which was fine for me but I am cold natured. I used the heat in the apartment during the night. The flowers then were not in full bloom, but there were daffodils and the leaves were starting to come out on the trees.

I was in Paris first part of May 2014. Weather then was warmer and I had mostly rain free days. I took a lightweight jacket and layered. May was much better in terms of flowers, and more greenery.

mlprcarr

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It's helping us plan our itinerary. Additional question tho, can you still do "picnic" during April under the Eiffel Tower or would it be too cold?

tracilee

We always have a pizza and wine dinner under the ET when we are in Paris, including this past March. You might need to bundle up, but it's worth it!

mamcalice

If you have a choice between April and May, May will certainly have the warmer weather and more green trees and flowers. We always go to Paris in May or September when the weather tends to be the most comfortable for touring and the crowds are under some control.

denisea

You can certainly enjoy the outdoors, just prep for it. I always assume it will be colder than I think. Layers will be your friend. You definitely want some water resistant shoes, in case of rainy weather. Travel umbrella is a must. I would definitely take a trench coat and a scarf (oversized), that you can use as a wrap.
My last item is those hand warmers you can get at an outdoor store. They are small but can fit in your pockets for cold hands. They make them for your feet and body, but I just use the hand warmers. Great to have when you aren't sure of the temperature and other factors like wind and rain that make it feel colder!

Last, Paris is perfect indoors or outdoors. When the weather is bad, church and museum visits fill the time. Or, a cafe creme or chocolat chaud will warm you up. Don't avoid Paris because you can't predict the weather.

nytraveler

I think that the posts on this thread show that the OP needs to know themselves and what they are comfy with.

One poster said they wore a quilted coat in the 60s - but I would never wear anything like that until it hit the 40s (if I wore a quilted coat which I don't). In the 60s I would wear a tee or long-sleeve shirt and a tissue rain jacket - or perhaps just a thin cotton sweater.

but I can;t stand heat and love cooler weather. For me 60s is prime touring weather with lower 70s the most I would ever want (and that would just be a tee shirt during the day).

plambers

we've been 5 times. first was mid april. cold, winter coats, gardens not in bloom and too cold to eat outside. now we go mid may and it is spectacular!

powhatangal

I was the one who said I wore a quilted mid weight coat. I also said I am cold natured. The OP asked about the weather in April so I provided my experience. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.

welltraveledbrit

Yes, you'll definitely need to bring a coat of some kind, even in May. Either month you should bring a broody.

Last time I was in Paris in April it was quite cool and I wouldn't have wanted to picnic under the Eiffel Tower but the truth is I wouldn't picnic there in the best of the weather . However, it's perfectly fine walking weather and you won't freeze! May will certainly be warmer than April and the gardens are moving into their spring bloom but you'll also get more tourists. Remember you can't guarantee the weather as you could run into rain any time.

Here's a post I wrote about spring finally arriving in Paris in early May!
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2013/...q=spring+paris