France in March

Changeable; the south warms first. Châteaux and village hotels start reopening late in the month.

• 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, Biarritzcool

  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, Corsicafine

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

• Mountains · Chamonix, Annecy, Pyreneescool

  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.

• Winter school holidays big impact

  Mid-Feb to mid-Mar (by school zone)

  Four staggered weeks fill ski resorts and Alpine trains; book Alps lodging months ahead.

• Easter Monday

  29 Mar 2027 (moves yearly)

  Long weekend; spring school holidays follow in April.

Crowds · France

Low

Prices · France

Low

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Paris

  Cool, changeable; gardens waking up.