Paris in March
 

My husband has spring break from March 14 through March 20. What would Paris be like during that period of time - weather wise? Thanks -

Cold. I go annually in either March or April. I was there, this past year, around the third week in March and was uncomfortably cold and I had lots of heavy clothing. Even my Parisian friend who's lived, in Paris, his whole life was complaining about the cold. I think it was around 8C the week that I was there depending on what part of the city one was in. I was in the 6th.

Now, maybe you won't be cold. It depends on where you're from and what you're used to. I'm from L.A. area.

Always take an umbrella to Paris because you just never know how much rain there might be. It rained while I was there, but not terribly. I have gotten, more rain, actually in April, but I love April in Paris. Happy Travels!

Thanks - I should have posted that I am from Northern Wisconsin, so we are used to really cold weather. Especially this year has been really cold, really early. Today it is a balmy 10F.

It's like March in the middle of the US, or mid-Atlantic coast, NY-Wash DC area.

I was there that week last spring. Yes, it was "cold" but certainly not terribly so. I was there with my daughter - the two of us hate cold weather but we were fine. We walked everywhere and were out all day.

Coat and hat and gloves - no need for long underwear or anything like that.

gruezi

gruezi - did you do more indoor things - such as the museums, etc over outdoor things? I imagine that there isn't any greenery in the trees at that time of year. But I imagine there are fewer tourists - so maybe it is a trade off of sorts.

Last time I was in Paris (four years ago-OUCH-going the end of this year though :-) the weather was definately cool-it was about the last week of March moving into April (I remember April 1st because we were in a children's store and they gave my daughter a paper fish because it was Le Fete de la Poisson -something akin to our April Fool's Day) It was very much like March in the Mid Atlantic-40s I'd say-although we did have a day or two that seemed to be sunny and warmer-as already said-you don't need long underwear or anything like that but you'll definately be happier with your winter coat...

Have a fabulous trip....

Patricia

We did a bit of everything. We did have to wait on line for a while - maybe 45 minutes or more - at the L'Orangerie and we were a bit cold that day, but we managed just fine.

If you are from Wisconsin it will be downright balmy for you!

It is not yet spring so there will be no greenery and the parks are not especially charming yet.

There will be many cafes with heaters set up so that you can sit and watch the passing crowd from outside. Or smoke a cig with the French if that is your thing.

Seriously, I think you will be fine and I think Paris is nice a bit off-season as it can be darn crowded otherwise.

I've been in both November and March and both times rarely had to wait in lines for anything (L'Orangerie had just re-opened and we didn't buy the museum pass so that was the one exception.)

NYC is typically colder than Paris if that helps at all...

gruezi

Thanks for the info. For a brief interlude my hubby thought he would prefer to go to Spain, but then decided that since we have only 9 days including travel time, staying in one city would be nice. We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary and I think Paris, even in March, would be really the place to go. Any ideas of great places to stay? I am still thinking about VRBO in Paris

I have been to Paris twice in March, and had decent albeit cool weather both times...even sat at an sidewalk cafe. We were there fro Palm Sunday, and it was gorgeous.

I was there the last week in March and the first week in April last year. First week was cold and rainy but then it turned rather nice so you never know. But who cares, you are in Paris!

Always bring something light as well, just in case. I remember one March leaving Grenoble in the snow and arriving in Paris during a heat wave. 4 days of 80 degree weather and one warm-weather top. Ouch.

My daughter and I were there last year from March 12-21 and we thought the weather was just fine. Being from Texas, I welcomed the need for a jacket in March. It rained one evening; other than that, no complaints whatsoever about the weather. We didn't really need hats or gloves--just scarves and jackets/fleeces during the day and we were fine. I did bring a wool-lined raincoat which came in handy at night. And, just remembered, yes, I did need gloves for the nighttime Fat Tire Bike Tour. That was the only time I felt cold. We had a great time, as I'm sure you will, too.

I lived in Paris during that month, it can turn quite cold, if only for a few day, but the important thing to remember is that as a tourist, you'll be spending an unusual amount of time wanting to be outdoors.

I think long silk underwear is a fantastic travel investment. It weighs nothing. It takes up no room in a suitcase. And yet if you slip under a pair of trousers, you can be comfortable all day long in the kind of weather that otherwise makes your legs ache and tires you out, or gets into your chest and gives you a cold. It rinses out in the sink and dries in a flash.

And you can wear it as pajamas!

Winter Silks sells nice varieties in all weights.

Some photos from my week in Paris last March:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US

I'm not sure I'm adding much. We've been to Paris in March twice (also because of spring break timing) and found it quite cool, overcast and some rain. And yes, there was nothing that was green. Still had a great time, as usual, and things weren't very crowded.

My suggestion is to remain very flexible in your plans. On a particularly raw day (rain, windy, temps in the 40Fs) we picked that day to visit the Musee D'Orsay and the Louvre. Worked out great. And daughter didn't care - it was her 16th birthday (and who can complain about being in Paris on your 16th!).

Hi

I think it will be cold. Check http://www.weatherbase.com for weather stats...it should give you an idea of what to expect. I went there in April a couple of years back and it was cold but the week after I came home it was sunny and warm. So it seems that it all depends on how lucky you are with the weather. Here is my Paris trip report with photos, links, maps etc http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . I hope that you can find some useful info there :d

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Two years ago we were there last week in March. Cool but pleasant. However, news reports we saw from just the week before showed Parisseans freezing in winter clothing. Bottom Line: the weather at that time of year goes on streaks. You might catch a warm streak or you might catch a cold streak. Some rain is almost certain. If it is cold, it is a very damp cold, so you can expect to be uncomfortable if not properly clothed, even if from Northern US. Still - is a good time to visit as tourism is down.

This was a rply that I received from rothyray apartments. Can some of you folks that know Paris let me know if these neighborhoods are o.k. Thanks a lot.
<<For the period you specify, we currently have available the following apartments:

14, rue Vauvilliers
19, rue Pierre Lescot
26, rue de la Reynie
20, rue St. Gilles

Detailed descriptions and photos can be seen on our website at http://www.rothray.com. Please find attached our current tariffs.>>

We will be in Paris at approximately the same time, so I'm not telling you not to go. But if you would like some warmer weather and your husband is still interested in Spain, consider Barcelona. We were there in late February of each of the last two years and found the weather terrific. We were able to eat several lunches outside and temps frequently reached the 60s. It's a fabulous city that will reward 9 days and afford nice day trip options by train to Sitges, Girona, and even Figueres for a dose of Dali. It has oodles of apartments and food easily as fantastic as you can find in France. The modernista architecture is fantastic as well.