Paris is iconic! There is so much to explore, from the Eiffel Tower to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum. At night, the Seine River lights up. Walking along the banks is the single most romantic experience one could ask for. The subtle warmth of the spring season is the best time to plan your Paris trip. And if your dates coincide with Fashion Week, you might even catch a Hadid or two.
Paris is a sight to behold. It is straight out of a fantasy. So when you travel to Paris in Spring, you get blooming flowers, greenery, and warm weather. All this comes together to create an unforgettable experience.
There is so much to look forward to in Spring, especially when you have the daylight hours to experience it. Paris has plenty of activities, from music festivals to markets and gardens. So grab the fanciest trench, you one, and let’s hit Paris.
Planning Your Itinerary
The first step in planning your Paris trip is the itinerary. You want to determine exactly how long you will be staying. Whether you are planning a weekend trip or a few weeks, the city has enough attractions to keep you occupied.
Bucket List
If you are traveling to Paris, there are some places you must visit. It is not a complete Paris trip if you don’t get hit these key locations. These attractions are almost always covered by travel groups. Allowing you to explore these locations with a guide.
Eiffel Tower
The most popular attraction in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. This iron lattice tower looks over the city. It is one of those larger-than-life structures, attracting 7 million visitors every year.
Louvre Museum
The Louvre is another item on your Paris bucket list. This is where you go if you want to pay homage to the Mona Lisa.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Notre Dame Cathedral is beautiful. It has so much to offer including the exquisite architecture and rich history. While this is usually on our bucket list for Paris. Due to the 2019 fire, the cathedral will not be open to tourists until December 2024.
Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica
This one of the most stirring monuments of Paris. It is a stunning amalgamation of Roman-Byzantine architecture. The structure’s white color stands out against the green of Montmartre’s greenspaces. And the blue of the sky makes it breathtaking.
Seine River Cruise
The Seine is an integral part of Paris’ allure. What a way to welcome Spring. Taking a cruise is the perfect way to experience all the romanticism that Paris has to offer. Bonus points if it is a date.
Hidden Gems
Musée d’Orsay
While the Louvre Museum is home to many treasures, Paris has no shortage of art galleries. One of the most iconic is the Musée d’Orsay, a train station converted into a gallery housing over 3000 pieces. It is also the location of the fairy tale moment between Blair Waldorf and Louis (in Season 4 of Gossip Girl).
Speaking of Gossip Girl, you could have an entire ‘Pah-ree’ trip exploring the filming locations. Our favorite is the Gare du Nord, where Blair confronts Chuck in the red Oscar De La Renta dress.
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
Vintage shopping adds much-needed depth to your trip. You are doing something less touristy and more authentic. Vintage shopping in Paris is more fabulous than vintage shopping anywhere. Especially if you visit the flea markets of Saint-Owen. You can find antiques, souvenirs, and so much more at this eclectic market.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
This is no ordinary cemetery. It is the final resting place of Marcel Proust and Oscar Wilde, among others. So if you are a fan of the classics, this should be on your itinerary. And if you don’t know or care about English literature, you should visit it anyway. The blooming flowers and the lush greenery will make it worth your time.
Gardens & Parks
Jardin des Tuileries
Spring in Paris is a spectacular affair. We recommend visiting the historic garden of Jardin des Tuileries for a stroll or picnic. Enjoy a meal surrounded by rows of flowers and water fountains. It is perfect!
Parc de Bagatelle
One of our favorite parks and gardens is the Parc de Bagatelle, which has a stunning display of 10,000 rose bushes. It is also a perfect location for a proposal or a wedding.
Luxembourg Gardens
The Luxembourg Gardens capture the essence of France’s history and finesse in architecture. The sprawling greenspace was commissioned by ‘Good King Henry’ also known as Henry IV. They are modeled after the Italian Gardens that his wife was so fond of. If that isn’t a fairy tale, we don’t know what is.
Festivals & Events
Feast of St. Germain des Prés
One of the most coveted festivals is the Feast of St. Germain des Prés. This is a celebration of the artistic heritage of St. Germain des Prés. The exhibitions, concerts and street performances are unique and capture Paris’s culture.
Art Paris
If you visit Paris in April, one of the most coveted Spring events is the Art Paris art fair. Every year, this regional art fair welcomes emerging artists. You will find this super exciting if you are into modern and contemporary art.
Dining & Culinary Experiences
Starting your day with a cup of coffee and a pain au chocolat is a given. But we were hoping you could explore the culinary excellence that Paris has to offer. Here are some of our favorite Michelin Star restaurants. The list includes Epicure, Kei on your way back from the Louvre, and L’Arpège if you are vegetarian.
Planning Your Trip to Paris
Accommodation
Now that you have your itinerary down for Paris, the rest is pretty simple. You need to book your accommodation. We recommend staying well in advance because this is how you get the best deals and discounts. Paris is a popular tourist destination. Which makes it quite expensive, so every deal you get matters.
You need to find a location that is easy to access by public transport. This minimizes your travel time and gives you more time to explore the city. Lastly, we recommend reading the reviews on all the hotels or guesthouses. You want to book a hotel that gives you the best experience.
On average, booking a room for one can cost €25-€500 per night. It depends on whether you are staying in a budget hostel or a luxury hotel. A mid-range hotel will most likely cost €100 per night.
Getting Around
You can quickly get around Paris using Uber or Lyft. These are safe and easy to use, especially for cashless payments. You may encounter some shortages in remote areas or during peak hours. Your biggest hurdle would be language. English is not spoken widely, and if your driver doesn’t speak English, the cab ride can get very tricky.
A 10 to 15-minute ride around the city would cost you €12-€20. The average travel time would be 30 minutes to 1 hour. You will need 4-5 days to have a decent Paris trip, especially if you are a first-time traveler.
Staying Connected
Probably the most valuable advice we can give you is to find a way to stay connected. Staying in touch with your travel group, friends, and family is important. You can also access important information on the go, such as location, news, and updates.
You can access the internet in cafes and hotels. But we recommend buying an eSIM. You should also consider installing an eSIM on your device, before you leave. This will allow you to enjoy mobile data, voice, and text services on your device.
It is a lifesaver. Thank us later.
Conclusion
Paris will be an unforgettable experience for you. We recommend planning a trip to Paris in Spring. You can explore the city in full bloom and indulge in the romantic charm without the icy cold winter. We recommend following our tips to ensure you are making the most of your trip. So start packing your bags and buy that eSIM for a magical spring journey to Paris.
