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The Best Month to Visit Paris? It’s NOT When You’d Think

Now for the important query: Which month is best for trips to Paris? Almost everyone in Canada traveled to Paris in 2019, making 35.4 million visits documented. This begs the issue of whether there is a best month to visit Paris. That is a substantial number of visitors!

Nevertheless, is Paris truly known as the City of Lights or the City of Tourist Hoards?

The latter title captures what’s to come in the summertime. Seeing the interminable lines winding up to the Eiffel Tower observation deck or watching the throngs of people crammed into tight spaces like sardines in an attempt to capture the perfect Instagram-worthy photo of the Mona Lisa is interesting.

People will explain why the spring and fall months are the best times to visit Paris, but I believe “best” is subjective and depends on the individual and what they value most.

After exploring this fascinating city at various seasons of the year, I realized that there IS a perfect month to visit Paris.

Although France is a great destination in June, I think March is the ideal month to visit Paris in particular.

Really?

Without a doubt.

Here’s just one of my many essential travel suggestions for Paris. I’ll explain why in detail below!

The Best Month to Visit Paris? It’s NOT When You’d Think

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Where to stay in Paris

If you enjoy art as much as I do, you just can’t resist booking a stay in Montmartre. I had now made five trips to Paris, but I had never before stayed in the artistic neighborhood. I was quite happy that I went with the Hotel Relais Montmartre.

Located just off Rue Lepic on a very calm street, it takes only a short stroll to go to the Metro, the Moulin Rouge, restaurants, and shopping. The Sacré-Coeur and Place du Tertre are only a ten to fifteen-minute walk away!

The room was very clean and well maintained, albeit on the small side (which is to be anticipated in Paris—we weren’t there to spend much time in our room anyhow).

When my travel companion and I were outside dancing in the snow, the staff were quite kind and made jokes with us crazy Aussies. Right in the middle of Montmartre, this hotel is ideal.

Why March is the best month to visit Paris on a budget

March is the best month to visit Paris because it’s that usually, uneventful month between the Christmas holidays and Easter break many travellers seem to completely overlook. It shouldn’t be! There are loads of benefits to visiting this incredible destination in March.

March is a great time to visit Paris. There are usually discounts on hotels because there is less demand. It’s also the ideal month to avoid contributing to overtourism and to look like a tourist.

Here are an additional five reasons as well as a bonus!

The Best Month to Visit Paris? It’s NOT When You’d Think

1. Catch the beauty of seasonal transitions

Snow is a rarity in Paris (on average only 15 days per year) but with the right weather combination towards the end of winter, it’s definitely possible. Otherwise, if you miss out on snow there will be encouraging signs of spring in the air with pastel pink flowers starting to blossom.

I was so fortunate to experience this beautiful city in the snow and I was incredibly excited to have checked “See Snow in Paris” off my Bucket List! I’ll let my pictures here speak for themselves!

2. You’ll ask yourself, where are the tourists?

According to statistics fewer tourists in March 2016 (1.7m compared to 1.9m in Oct 2016) will obviously mean smaller queues at the major attractions.

Instead of wasting hours of your life waiting in line, spend more time taking in the sights that make Paris, Paris! In a typical Invisible Tourist manner, you might even be taken for a native!

3. March is the best month to visit Paris because there are fewer pickpockets.

Pickpockets are unfortunately well-known in Paris, but in March they are extremely rare. When the obstinate ones who do linger around throughout the colder months are stripped of their natural disguise that large groups offer, they are sure to stand out.

Knowing the telltale signals to look out for and how they behave will let them know you’ve caught them on and make them stay away.

TIP: Watch out for people who seemingly have nowhere to be and lurk mysteriously around crowds at tourist hotspots such as The Sacre Cœur, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and The Louvre. As mentioned here, being an Invisible Tourist means having a healthy dose of skepticism when you’re traveling.

4. You’ll almost have the city to yourself

March is the best month to visit Paris because you’ll be able to take enviable photos of landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and Moulin Rouge. With fewer people out and about, your photos are less likely to feature other people unintentionally photobombing them.

The only overcrowding you’re likely to encounter is from commuters on the Metro and RER during rush hour (which is to be expected). Why not go and explore some of the more unusual things to do in Paris without the crowds?

TIP: If you need to ask a Parisian for advice on traveling around Paris by Metro, be sure to address them in French by greeting them politely and excusing yourself before you ask your question (eg “Bonjour Monsieur, excusez-moi”, then your question). If your accent isn’t perfect but you adopt this custom it will be greatly appreciated and highly likely they’ll answer you in English anyway!

5. There are plenty of things to do indoors if the weather isn’t great

If the day turns miserable there are plenty of things to see and do out of the cooler weather. Crowds will be minimal so you’ll be able to enjoy each activity to the fullest. Yay!

Make the most of this by exploring the various museums that are so inspiring in Paris (you can get tickets in advance for them!), dining in a café like a local, or shopping to your heart’s content at chic department shops like Printemps or Galleries Lafayette.

Before learning some common words and the ins and outs of the culture, I did, to a certain extent, believe this during my first visit. I have met a rude Parisian since then. My travel companion and I got along so well that one night we met locals in a pub and were invited to an exclusive after-party!

This label, in my opinion, is unjustified because, typically, the tourists are the ones who don’t put in much work. As I’ve already mentioned, having a solid understanding of the local tongue offers you a world of opportunities to enhance your trip. That is the main goal of becoming an Invisible Tourist.

The Best Month to Visit Paris? It’s NOT When You’d Think

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