The biggest Paris event in April is the Paris Marathon, one of the biggest in the world due to its beautiful and mostly flat route past spectacular scenery and famous monuments.
Other top April events include major art and craft expositions, a huge "fun fair" (carnival) dating back to 957 (yes, almost 12 centuries ago), and Easter Sunday (April 20).
Thanks to two public holidays before and after Easter (Good Friday on April 18 and the following Monday, April 21), all of France enjoys a 4-day weekend.
Although Good Friday, unlike Easter Monday, is technically not a public holiday in most of France (except for the Alsace and Moselle regions), in reality, many if not most French people take it as a holiday, because why pass up the chance for a 4-day weekend?
Planning a Visit to Paris in April?
If you're planning to come to Paris this month, consider booking tours, cruises, and other activities as soon as possible to make sure of getting your top choices.
Top Paris attractions & experiences:
- Notre Dame Cathedral Guided Tour - See this newly restored treasure
- Eiffel Tower Entry Ticket with Optional Summit Access - Sells out fast
- Louvre Museum Masterpieces Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Most popular Paris destinations this month:
- Guided Day Trip from Paris to Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny
- Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket - Favorite family-friendly activity
- Versailles - Skip the Line tour of Palace with Garden Access - Top choice
Perhaps not surprisingly, the 4-day Easter weekend is a very popular time to visit Paris so if you are planning a visit for this period, book your hotel now. If you wait until the last minute, reservations will be both very expensive and very difficult to get! (I learned this lesson the hard way.)
In addition, many restaurants and other attractions will be closed for some or all of the long 4-day weekend - so plan accordingly! You certainly won't starve, and if you're staying in the city's touristic center, many if not most restaurants and brasseries will be open (smaller cafes and bistros are more likely to close) - but still, you may want to consider making dinner reservations in advance.
Along with lots of visitors to Paris, Easter also brings special concerts to the city's historical churches and Easter egg hunts for children in many city parks. Walk past any chocolatier, and you'll see mouth-watering displays of chocolate eggs in the front window.
Perhaps the most celebrated April event in Paris is the arrival of spring. You can expect to see cherry trees burst into bloom across the city, sidewalk cafe tables filled with people soaking up the sun, and an increased number of cruise boats gliding down the Seine River.
Lots of wonderful concerts pack the April calendar, with Easter concerts in historical churches, dinner concerts at Sainte-Chapelle, and well-known artists performing at iconic venues such as the Bataclan, l'Olympia, and La Cigale, as well as big stadium tours at Accor Arena and La Defense Arena.
And don't miss new and recently opened Paris art exhibits at Orsay Museum, Atelier des Lumières, Centre Pompidou, Musée de l'Orangerie, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and other exhibition spaces.
Finally, there's one more April event you should know about: Poisson d’Avril, on April 1st - the French version of April Fool's Day. It means "April fish" and involves sticking a paper fish (the more brightly colored, the better) on the back of your unsuspecting victim. So if you happen to spot someone walking down the street with a garish-looking fish on their back, just smile.
Find more fun things to do in Paris during April
Top photo: Magnolia trees blooming in early April, with Saint-Augustin Church dome in the background, (c) Paris Discovery Guide
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Paris Marathon 2025
The Paris Marathon 2025 kicks off on Sunday, April 13 at the Arc de Triomphe as 65,000 runners from all over the world start the race course down Champs-Élysées and about a quarter of a million spectators line up along the 26.2 mile (42.2 km) route to watch. The first group of Elite runners depart at 8:20am, with other groups following in waves until 9:50am.
Whether you're running or watching, the Marathon's mostly-flat route gives you spectacular close-up views of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, plus interesting tours of Paris's two huge wooded parklands. Thanks to the relatively flat route, the winner typically crosses the finish line in just over two hours, although you can still see plenty of runners along the route until at least mid-afternoon.
Events before the race include the 3-day Paris Marathon Expo at Porte de Versailles, where you can also pick up your bib, and an untimed 5K Breakfast Run on Saturday before the race past many of the famous sites runners will see on the full Marathon route the next day.
Tips for how to make the most of your Marathon experience
Recommended hotels for the Paris Marathon
April Concerts in Paris - 2025
Paris concerts during April include classical music by candlelight at Sainte-Chapelle and other beautiful historical churches, exciting ballets and operas at Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille, and popular artists performing at top music halls and arenas. Get your tickets now:
- Candlelight Concerts: Vivaldi, Adele, the Beatles, ABBA, & more - Various Paris venues - Throughout the month
Easter Weekend Concerts in Historical Churches
April Concerts
- Andrea Bocelli - Accor Arena - April 1
- Romeo and Juliette: Paris Opera Ballet - Opera Bastille - April 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30
- Tosca: Paris Opera - Opera Bastille - April 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
- Satyagraha: Paris Opera - Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) - April 10, 14, 16, 21, 24, 26, 30
- Crystal Pite, Medhi Walerski, Johan Inger & Ballet BC - Champs Elysees Theatre - April 15, 18
- Spectacle (ie, Performance) of the Paris Opera Dance School - Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) - April 15, 18, 19
- Siegfried - Champs Elysees Theatre - April 19
- Lucie de Lammermoor - Opera Comique - April 30
More Paris classical concerts, opera, & dance performances during April
More Paris rock, pop, jazz, rap, indie, & other concerts during April
Find Paris concerts for other months
Interesting Paris Tours for April
These highly-rated tours show you the best of Paris . . . and beyond!
- Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line and Summit Access Tour - No need to wait in a long line at Paris's most famous attraction when you're with this guided small-group tour. With your guide, you get priority access to the Eiffel Tower's 2nd level, and will learn about some of the famous monument's unique history. Head up to the tower's summit on your own and experience the amazing views (and perhaps a glass of Champagne). More
- Moulin Rouge Show with 3-Course Dinner & Champagne - Pamper yourself with a fabulous 3-course dinner and Champagne and then watch Paris's famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show. More
- Champagne Region Small Group Day Trip from Paris - A full-day guided visit through Champagne country, vineyard tours with free Champagne tasting, a traditional French lunch in Reims and a tour of its stunningly beautiful cathedral, a visit to the Moët and Chandon cellars, plus pickup/dropoff at your hotel . . . it's the perfect day trip from Paris! More
Musical Fountain Shows Begin at Versailles
You will know spring has arrived in Paris when the Musical Gardens and Musical Fountains Shows start for the season in the Gardens at Palace of Versailles in early April.
Hours: The Palace is open from 9am - 5:30pm, and the Gardens are open from 8am - 6pm. Both are open daily, except Mondays, Christmas, and New Year Day.
Find out about best ways to tour Versailles Palace from Paris
Tickets to Versailles & Musical Gardens or Fountain Show
Here are two highly-rated guided tours of Versailles that include Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains (on days when they take place):
- From Paris: Versailles Sunset Bike Tour with Musical Fountains & Fireworks Show
- Skip-the-Line Versailles Palace Tour by Train, Plus Musical Fountains/Gardens Show (on days when offered)
Prefer to explore on your own? Get a Versailles Palace & Gardens "Passport" Ticket that includes the shows on days when they are available.
More Ways to See Versailles:
Getting to Versailles from Paris
Take the RER C from Paris - about a 30-minute ride - and get off at the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. The Palace is about a 10-minute walk along a well-marked route.
Find more details about how to get from Paris to Versailles Palace
April in Paris - Spring Really Arrives!
The beauty of April in Paris is legendary. With Kwanzan cherry trees and other flowers blooming everywhere you look, plenty of sunny days (usually), and warm temperatures, April gives Paris visitors and residents the perfect excuse to stroll through the city's loveliest parks. Here are several familiar and less-known Parisian Edens you won't want to miss:
- Jardin du Luxembourg (Rue de Médicis/Rue de Vaugirard, 6th arr.) - In the heart of the Left Bank, the park's mix of formal French gardens, English-style winding paths, and over 100 statues provide the perfect setting to discover early spring flowers. Metro: Rennes
- Palais Royal Garden (8 Rue de Montpensier, 1st arr.) - Almost hidden behind Daniel Buren's columns in Palais Royal's courtyard, the garden is a tranquil haven from nearby Rue de Rivoli and the Louvre. Look for magnolias and daffodils in full bloom in early April, followed by foxgloves and roses as days grow warmer. Metro: Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre
- Square Georges Cain (7 Rue Payenne, 3rd arr.) - On a quiet side street in the heart of the Marais, this small oasis captures the afternoon sun. In April, look for small blooming bulbs amid the statues and historical artifacts. Metro: St Paul
Find out where to see the most beautiful cherry blossoms in Paris
Discover hidden gardens along Rue Payenne
Popular Seine River Cruises
Paris Museum Shows & Exhibitions - April 2025
Here are just a few of the top museum exhibitions you can see in Paris this month:
- Musée Maillol: Robert Doisneau - Around 400 photographs, including some of this 20th century photojournalist's most iconic works. Based on the high level of excitement surrounding the opening of this exhibition, it is sure to be a blockbuster so plan to get your ticket well in advance.
Dates: April 17 - October 12
Tickets: Book in advance to get a reserved time slot and skip-the-ticket-line access
Open: Daily, 10:30am - 6:30pm, and until 10pm on Thursdays
Location: 59 Rue de Grenelle, Paris 7; Metro: Rue du Bac - Louvre Couture: Art & Fashion Statement Pieces - A major exhibition tracing decorative styles with 65 designs from Byzantium through the Second Empire on display.
Dates: January 24 - July 21
Tickets: Book in advance with a reserved time slot and skip-the-line access; can also book in advance for free admission with a Paris Museum Pass
Location: Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1; Metro: Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre - Centre Pompidou: Paris Noir - This exhibition of about 150 works by Afro-descendant artists, most of which have never before been shown in Franc, traces the presence and influence of Black artists in France between the 1940s and 2000s.
Dates: March 19 - June 30, 2025; Level 6
Tickets: Book online (includes some shows plus permanent collections) or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry; shows in several galleries require an additional ticket at (usually) an extra cost of 1-2€, so book the "permanent and temporary" ticket if you want to see one of these exhibits.
Getting there: Rue Saint-Martin between Rue Rambuteau and Rue Merri, 4th; Metro: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet; RER: Châtelet les Halles, lines A, B, D - Musee d'Orsay: Art Is in the Streets - A major exhibition of almost 300 illustrated posters by Bonnard, Grasset, Mucha, Toulouse-Lautrec, with an immersion in the 19th-century city’s visual world.
Dates: March 18 - July 6
Musée d'Orsay Tickets: Book a reserved access ticket for skip-the-line access, or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry
Location: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7; Metro: Pont de l'Alma; Invalides
Find more Paris museum exhibitions for April
Easter in Paris - 2025
Displays of chocolate bunnies and brightly colored eggs in the windows of chocolate makers announce Easter in Paris a couple of weeks before the actual holiday.
Easter takes place this year on Sunday, April 20. The following Monday, April 21 is also a holiday for many Parisians - so be sure to buy your chocolate Easter treats and plan other activities a few days in advance, as many stores and restaurants will be closed on these days.
Popular Easter activities in Paris include attending religious services (beginning on Good Friday), strolling through the city's lovely parks to see spring flowers, enjoying a picnic (many restaurants will be closed), and attending an Easter concert. If you're visiting with children, don't miss the Easter egg hunts!
Find details about Easter events and activities in Paris
Paris Foire du Trone - Throne Carnival - 2025
Visit Paris's huge Foire du Trone in Bois de Vincennes (the huge park on the city's east side) and you'll become part of a tradition and cultural event stretching back to 957 when 15-year old King Lothair established the first Fun Fair. In the 19th century, the fair became known as a festive market featuring gingerbread, acrobats, and gambling to attract the crowds.
With lots of fun for all ages, a relaxed family-friendly vibe, and reasonable prices for rides, food, and beverages, it's the perfect outing if you're visiting Paris with kids or teens.
Today, roughly 350 attractions including carnival rides, stuffed animals, fries, and beer rule as the fair attracts an estimated 5 million visitors with the shared goal of having fun during its 2-month spring season.
Especially if you're staying in the Marais, getting to the fair takes less than 10 minutes on the Metro's Line 8.
When: April 2 - June 9, 12 noon to 11pm (1pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and nights before public holidays)
Where: Bois de Vincennes on the Reuilly Lawn (Pelouse de Reuilly), 12th arrondissement (Look for the fair on your right soon after you pass through the entrance near the Porte Dorée metro station, or just follow the crowds)
Metro: Porte Dorée
Admission: Free - plus reasonable prices for food, drinks, rides, etc
More information: Faire du Trone website
European Craft Days in Paris 2025
The European Days of Crafts (Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art) takes place all over Europe and showcases contemporary expressions of traditional crafts by opening the doors of professional artisans to the public for a week each spring.
This is your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at bookbinders, costume makers, jewelry designers, leather toolers, bicycle makers, stone carvers, tapestry weavers, furniture restorers, and much more, many of them at the city's top cultural institutions such as the Louvre and the Paris Opera. Go to the JAMA website to see what's on offer. Use the map to search; you'll have to click about 10 times to drill down to Paris events, but it's worth the effort. With over 200 open studios in Paris, you'll have a wealth of choices.
When: March 31 - April 6
Admission: Free, but many venues are small and limit participants, so advance registration is usually required and some fill up very quickly
Where: All over Paris (and France as well as the rest of Europe)
"Art Paris" Contemporary Art Fair 2025
If modern or contemporary art fuels your passion, put the massive Art Paris Art Show at the top of your "must-see" list for April.
Head over to the recently restored Belle Epoque gem, the Grand Palais, to immerse yourself in the works of over 1,000 artists from 170 galleries from over 25 countries.
Special shows to seek out: Out of Bounds, a curated selection of 20 artists who explore contemporary creation through the lenses of origins, gender, kinship, history and geography, and Immortal: Figurative Painting in France, a show of around 30 contemporary artists from various generations who express their artistic vision through figurative art.
You can also see plenty of other group and solo exhibits for numerous artists as well as other special exhibitions.
When: April 3 - 6
Tickets: 25-30€ per day (to be confirmed), 30-35€ for 2-day passes, cheaper rates for students; buy in advance on the event's website
Where: Grand Palais, 8th arrondissement
Metro: Champs Elysees Clemenceau
More about Paris in April
More Fun Things to Do & See in Paris in April
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More Articles about Things to Do in Paris in April
- Where to watch the famous April race & what to expect if you're running
- What's happening in Paris during Easter
- Which Paris flea markets are the biggest and best
- Where to stay near the Paris Marathon route
- How to get fast entry to top Paris attractions with skip the line tickets
- What to do on your first day in Paris
