March is when Paris starts to shake off winter. The first terraces reopen, the trees in the parks begin to bud, and the big spring exhibitions open, while hotel prices and crowds are still lower than in April. The weather, though, can change several times a day. This guide covers what to expect, what to pack and what to do in Paris in March, with the dates that matter in 2027.
Paris in March at a glance
| Temperatures | About 5°C (41°F) in the morning to 13°C (55°F) in the afternoon |
| Rain | About 48 mm over the month, mostly in short showers |
| Sunset | Around 6:30 pm in early March; just after 8 pm once the clocks change (March 28, 2027) |
| Crowds | Low to moderate; busier around Easter (March 26–29, 2027) |
| Prices | Still low-season hotel rates for most of the month |
| Main events in 2027 | Fashion Week, Half Marathon, St Patrick’s Day, Duchamp and Vuillard exhibitions, Easter |
The weather in Paris in March
March is a month of transition. Early March can still feel like winter, with cold mornings, grey skies and, occasionally, a few snowflakes. Late March is usually milder and sunnier, but temperatures rarely go above 20°C (68°F).
The French have a name for the sudden spring showers: the giboulées de mars. A sunny morning can turn into a hailstorm for ten minutes, then clear again. Rain rarely lasts all day, so plan your days with a museum or a covered passage nearby.
Daylight: days lengthen fast, from about 11 hours at the start of the month to more than 12 hours at the end. In 2027 the clocks go forward one hour on the night of Saturday March 27 to Sunday March 28, which is also Easter Sunday. From then on, it stays light until after 8 pm.
For other months, see our Paris weather by month guide.
What to wear in Paris in March
Pack for both winter and spring, and dress in layers you can take off during the day.
- A warm, waterproof coat or a lined trench coat. In early March, a light down jacket is not too much.
- Sweaters and long-sleeved tops to layer under the coat.
- Waterproof walking shoes: you will walk a lot, often on wet cobblestones.
- A compact umbrella and a scarf. Gloves are useful in the first half of the month.
- Sunglasses for the brighter days at the end of the month.
Is March a good time to visit Paris?
Yes, if you like museums and quieter streets. March offers lower hotel prices, shorter queues at the main sights and the opening of the spring exhibitions. The trade-off is unpredictable weather and few days warm enough for long picnics.
- Quietest period in 2027: weekdays from about March 8 to 25, after the Agricultural Show and before Easter.
- Busiest period: Easter weekend, March 26–29, when many European visitors arrive.
Key dates in Paris in March 2027
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 27 – Mar 7 | Paris International Agricultural Show, Porte de Versailles |
| Mar 1 – 9 | Paris Fashion Week (womenswear), shows by invitation |
| Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Banlieues Bleues jazz festival, Seine-Saint-Denis |
| Mar 7 | Paris Half Marathon |
| Mar 17 | St Patrick’s Day in the Irish pubs |
| Mar 23 | Opening of the Marcel Duchamp (Grand Palais) and Vuillard (Musée d’Orsay) exhibitions |
| Mar 26 | Opening of the Leonor Fini exhibition, Musée d’Art Moderne |
| Mar 28 | Easter Sunday; clocks go forward one hour |
| Mar 29 | Easter Monday (public holiday) |
| Mar 30 – Apr 4 | European Artistic Crafts Days: craft workshops open to the public |
Staying into April? Our guide to Paris in March and April 2027 covers the whole season, including the 50th Paris Marathon on April 4.
Things to do in Paris in March
See the new spring exhibitions
Two major exhibitions open on March 23, 2027. At the Grand Palais, Marcel Duchamp (until August 1) marks the Centre Pompidou’s 50th anniversary with loans from MoMA and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At the Musée d’Orsay, Vuillard, Intimate Theaters (until July 25) is the first big Vuillard show in France in about 25 years. Book a time slot, especially for weekends.
Earlier in the month, you can still catch the Gustave Fayet collection at the Fondation Louis Vuitton (until March 8) and Girls: Adolescence, Fashion and Rebellion at the Grand Palais (until March 21).
Plan a rainy-day route
When a shower hits, head for the 19th-century covered passages around the Grands Boulevards (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy), the department stores and their food halls, or a museum with no queue such as the Petit Palais, whose permanent collections are free. Paris also has a short annual “Printemps du cinéma”, usually in March, when cinema tickets are sold at a reduced price for three days.
Visit the Agricultural Show
Until March 7, 2027, the Salon International de l’Agriculture fills the Porte de Versailles exhibition center with cows, sheep, cheese, wine and specialties from every French region. It is one of the most French experiences you can have in Paris, and a good plan for a rainy day. Go on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
On March 17, the Irish pubs of Paris are packed, with live music and green beer. Arrive early or book a table. See our guides to St Patrick’s Day in Paris and the best Irish pubs in Paris.
Run or watch the Half Marathon
The Paris Half Marathon takes place on Sunday March 7, 2027. If you are just visiting that weekend, expect road closures and diverted buses along the route on Sunday morning.
Spot the first blossoms
From late March, depending on the weather, the first cherry and magnolia trees bloom. Good places to look: the Jardin des Plantes, the square Jean-XXIII behind Notre-Dame and the Palais-Royal gardens. On the first warm afternoon, Parisians head straight to the quays of the Seine and the café terraces.
Easter in late March 2027
Easter falls early in 2027: Easter Sunday is March 28 and Easter Monday, March 29, is a public holiday. Good Friday is not a holiday in Paris. Chocolate shops show their Easter creations in the weeks before; buy before the weekend, as many small shops close on Sunday and Monday. Egg hunts, church services and what’s open: see Easter in Paris.
Where to stay in March
March is one of the best months for hotel deals in Paris, except around Fashion Week (March 1–9) and Easter weekend, when rates rise. Our selection of the best hotels in Paris at affordable prices lists real prices from €75 a night.
FAQ: Paris in March
Is Paris cold in March?
It is cool rather than cold: about 5°C (41°F) in the morning and 13°C (55°F) in the afternoon on average. Early March can feel wintry, late March is often mild.
Does it rain a lot in Paris in March?
March is showery rather than very wet: about 48 mm of rain, mostly in short, sudden showers. Carry a compact umbrella every day.
When do the clocks change in March 2027?
On the night of Saturday March 27 to Sunday March 28, 2027: at 2 am, clocks go forward to 3 am.
Are there cherry blossoms in Paris in March?
The first ones, usually from the last week of March. The peak is generally in early April, depending on the weather.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Paris in February
- Paris in April
- What to do in Paris in March and April 2027
- The 50 best things to do in Paris
Discover more from StillinParis
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