France in April

Spring in Paris and the Loire; Easter school holidays add crowds for two weeks.

• Paris and the north · Paris, Lille, Champagne, Normandy inlandfine

  Grey, damp winters; late spring and September are the sweet spot. Paris heatwaves hit 35–40 °C in July–August and most flats and small hotels lack air conditioning.

• Atlantic west · Brittany, Normandy coast, Bordeaux, Biarritzfine

  Rain in any month; mild summers without much heat. The Basque coast is greener and wetter than people expect.

• Centre and east · Loire, Burgundy, Alsace, Lyon, Dordognefine

  Cold foggy winters and hot summers; Alsace Christmas markets make December busy despite the cold.

• Mediterranean south · Provence, Riviera, Languedoc, Corsicabest weather

  Dry and sunny; lavender blooms late June to mid-July. Mistral wind in the Rhône valley; autumn flash floods.

• Mountains · Chamonix, Annecy, Pyreneesfine

  Skiing mid-December to April; hiking and lifts late June to early September. Many resorts close in May and November.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Easter Monday

  29 Mar 2027 (moves yearly)

  Long weekend; spring school holidays follow in April.

Crowds · France

Medium

Prices · France

Medium

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Mediterranean south

  Best weather of the year (Provence, Riviera, Languedoc, Corsica)

• Paris

  Mild; Easter weekend is busy; marathon closes streets.