We've been to Paris twice both times in the fall and it's been cold and rainy. This time we were thinking of going mid-April and wonder if this will be a warmer time hopefully with some flowers blooming and the fountains going at Versailles. Any comments from those who have gone in April?
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Well, the first time I went to Paris with my husband was in April and it was...cold & rainy! This past year, friends of ours came to visit the last week in March and we had great, sunny weather (but it's too early for flowers). But, by April, it was cold and rainy again. Weather in Paris is just completely unpredictable. It's been cold and rainy in August (in 2011) and nothing can guarantee good weather. The fountains go on weekends in April, so you'd be good for that. But flowers blooming is tricky. You'll possibly see trees blooming and some other blooms, but real flowers aren't going to be until later than mid-April.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
Les and I agree. Weather in April is UNPREDICTABLE. I have been in Paris in April probably 10 times, and have experienced cold/rain about as often as warm/sunny. It's still glorious, though.
Posted by
Paris
10332 posts
Yes, April is chancy too. My parents always try to come in May and generally have pretty good luck (although this May there were a couple of days when it was absolutely pouring buckets).
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Two springs ago we arrived in Paris March 29 and spent nine cool days, with some showers but not too bad (we're from the NW), and enough sunshine to be enjoyable. A brief hailstorm in the Marais taught me how to say hail in French. Then we drove south for a couple of weeks and returned for another five days in late April, sunny and warm, the chestnut trees in bloom, spring for sure. Of course it will be unpredictable, but I'd say mid-April is a good bet for flowers, sunshine, and enough rain to make it interesting. Don't know about the fountains.