Spring is one of the best times to visit Paris. As winter fades, cafés begin to spill out onto sidewalks again, parks start to bloom, and the city’s cultural calendar becomes packed with exhibitions, festivals, and major sporting events. March and April offer a mix of art fairs, marathons, concerts, and seasonal celebrations that bring the French capital to life.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a longer stay, here are some of the key events happening in Paris during March and April 2026.
Paris Marathon
Date: Sunday, 12 April 2026
Location: Across central Paris
One of the biggest sporting events in Europe, the Paris Marathon attracts more than 40,000 runners each year and draws huge crowds of spectators across the city.
The course is famous for its spectacular scenery. Runners pass some of the most iconic landmarks in Paris including the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the banks of the River Seine.
Even if you’re not running, it’s a fantastic event to experience as a visitor. Streets are filled with music, cheering crowds, and an electric atmosphere as the city comes together for the race.
Because many roads close for the marathon, it’s also a good day to explore Paris on foot.
Art Paris Art Fair
Dates: 2–5 April 2026
Location: Grand Palais Éphémère / Grand Palais area
The Art Paris Art Fair is one of the most important contemporary art events in the French capital. Each year it brings together galleries from across Europe and beyond to showcase modern and contemporary art.
The fair features hundreds of artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, and digital media. Alongside gallery exhibitions, visitors can attend talks, panel discussions, and curated tours that explore emerging trends in the art world.
For art lovers visiting Paris in early April, this event offers an excellent chance to discover new artists while also exploring one of the city’s major exhibition spaces.
Paris Book Festival (Festival du Livre de Paris)
Dates: 17–19 April 2026
Location: Grand Palais
The Paris Book Festival is one of France’s largest literary events, bringing together authors, publishers, and readers from around the world.
Visitors can attend book signings, panel discussions, readings, and workshops across a wide range of genres including literature, history, politics, science fiction, and graphic novels.
The event also highlights international authors and often features a guest country each year. It’s a great experience for anyone interested in literature and publishing, and a lively cultural gathering in the heart of the city.
Paris Fashion Week (Fall/Winter Shows)
Dates: Late February – early March 2026
Location: Various venues across Paris
Although Paris Fashion Week begins in late February, many shows and events continue into early March. Designers, models, buyers, and fashion journalists arrive from around the world to attend runway shows and presentations.
Even if you’re not attending the shows themselves, the atmosphere across the city changes noticeably during Fashion Week. Fashion industry pop-ups, exhibitions, and exclusive parties appear across neighbourhoods such as Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Louvre district.
For visitors interested in fashion and design, this is one of the most exciting times to experience Paris.
Easter Celebrations in Paris
Date: Sunday, 5 April 2026
Easter is widely celebrated in Paris, and the weeks leading up to it bring seasonal treats and special events across the city.
Many of Paris’s famous chocolatiers create elaborate chocolate sculptures and Easter-themed displays in their shop windows. Bakeries also produce seasonal pastries and cakes.
Churches across the city hold Easter services, and parks such as the Jardin des Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens often host family-friendly Easter activities during the holiday weekend.
Spring Exhibitions and Cultural Events
March and April are also excellent months for visiting Paris’s world-famous museums and cultural institutions. Many galleries launch major exhibitions during spring, taking advantage of the increased number of visitors.
Museums such as the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou and Fondation Louis Vuitton frequently debut new exhibitions during this period. Temporary shows often focus on major artists, historic collections, or contemporary works.
For visitors interested in culture, spring is one of the richest periods in the Parisian arts calendar.
Enjoy Paris Hands-Free During Busy Events
Major events often bring large crowds to Paris, especially around exhibition venues, race routes, and historic attractions. Carrying luggage while navigating busy streets or queues can quickly become inconvenient.
If you arrive early before check-in or have time to explore after checking out of your accommodation, using luggage storage can make your visit far more enjoyable. With your bags safely stored, you can explore museums, attend events, and walk through the city comfortably.
Stasher offers luggage storage locations across Paris near major stations, attractions, and event venues, making it easy to explore the city hands-free.
