Planning things to do in France in April? In 2027, Easter falls in March, leaving April without a nationwide public holiday. The main planning considerations are spring school breaks and event weekends. What April does bring is the start of the outdoor season: a Paris marathon and a famously brutal cobbled cycling classic on consecutive Sundays, a rock-and-pop festival in central France, a garden festival in the Loire Valley, a big spring funfair in Paris, and staggered school holidays that shape crowds and prices. This guide lists what is confirmed, flags what is still to be confirmed, and explains how to plan around it.
Things to Do in France in April at a Glance
| Date | Event | Location | Type | Tourist Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Mar to 4 Apr | European Heritage Crafts Days (Journees europeennes des metiers d’art) | Across France (Paris, regional towns) | Crafts / open workshops | Low |
| Late Mar to late May (exact dates to be confirmed) | Foire du Trône funfair | Pelouse de Reuilly, Bois de Vincennes, Paris 12th | Fairground / family | Medium |
| From 1 Apr (opening date to be confirmed) | Monet’s house and gardens season at Giverny | Giverny, Normandy | Garden / art | High |
| 3 to 11 Apr (one listing shows 4 to 12; check the organiser) | Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters | Monte-Carlo, Monaco (near the French Riviera) | Tennis | Medium |
| 3 to 19 Apr (zone C); 10 to 26 Apr (zone A); 17 Apr to 3 May (zone B) | Spring school holidays | France, by school zone | School holiday | High |
| 10 Apr | Paris-Roubaix Challenge (amateur ride) | Northern France | Cycling | Low |
| 4 Apr | Paris Marathon (50th edition) | Paris | Sport | High |
| 11 Apr | Paris-Roubaix (men and women) | Compiègne to Roubaix, northern France | Cycling | Medium |
| 20 to 25 Apr | Printemps de Bourges | Bourges, Centre-Val de Loire | Music festival | Medium |
| 22 Apr to 1 Nov | International Garden Festival, theme Gardens of Love | Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire | Garden / design | High |
| 30 Apr to 10 May | Foire de Paris | Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles | Consumer fair | Low |
Dates are listed for the 2027 editions where confirmed. Check the latest programme and entry arrangements before booking non-refundable travel.
Public Holidays and Spring Travel in April
Easter Sunday 2027 is March 28, and Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) on March 29 is the national public holiday. That means the usual Easter closures, packed trains and booked-out restaurants hit the last days of March, not April. In April 2027 there is no national public holiday. The next ones are May 1 (a Saturday in 2027), May 8, and the movable Ascension and Whit Monday holidays in May. For the full list and how holiday bridges (ponts) work, see our France public holidays and festival calendar.
Some practical effects of that calendar:
- The first days of April can still feel like Easter week: some shops and small museums keep reduced hours, and families are traveling because the first school holidays start early in the month.
- Many attractions switch to their summer opening hours around the end of March, and seasonal sites (gardens, some castles, island ferries) open for the year in April. Check each site rather than assuming.
Spring School Holidays: The Biggest Crowd Driver
France splits the country into three school zones, and the spring break is staggered so departures are spread out. For 2027 the published dates are: zone C from Saturday April 3 to Monday April 19; zone A from Saturday April 10 to Monday April 26; and zone B from Saturday April 17 to Monday May 3. Paris and its surrounding academies sit in zone C, so the capital’s own pupils are away in the first half of the month; Lyon is in zone A, and Nice and Marseille are in zone B. (Check your destination’s zone on the education ministry page if it matters.)
In practice, the weekends of April 3, 10 and 17 are busy on motorways and TGV lines, and the final weekends of the zone B break (to May 3) are busy too. Central Paris is less affected because tourists replace local families, but the Metro and RER around the big sights are as full as ever. Our best time to visit France guide explains how school breaks, weather and prices interact across the year.
Best Things to Do in France in April: Major Events
Paris Marathon: Things to Do in France in April
When: Sunday, April 4, 2027, the day after the zone C school holidays begin. Where: Paris. Type: Mass-participation road race.
The 2027 race is billed as the 50th edition. Registration was by lottery, with around 166,000 applications and a flat 169 euro entry fee for those drawn, so a place is no longer a casual last-minute option. Several publications confirm the April 4 date and say the race, now titled the ASICS Marathon de Paris, passes to a new organizer, the Cadence consortium (Keneo, OSE and Havas), which takes over from ASO for 2027 to 2030. The course is reported to change, so check the exact route before you plan a spectating position.
Tip: Note that the marathon (April 4) and Paris-Roubaix (April 11) fall on different Sundays this year, a change from some earlier years. Expect road closures along the route from the early morning, and some Metro stations to be shut or bypassed. If you are not running, choose a viewing spot away from the start and finish, walk or take the Metro to it before the closures bite, and avoid planning a cross-city taxi that morning. Hotel prices rise on marathon weekends and this one is also the first weekend of the zone C school break, so book early. If your stay is built around the race, our guide to Paris travel gives the practical orientation. If your trip extends into next month, see our May events calendar.
Paris-Roubaix Cycling Race: April Spectator Guide
When: Sunday, April 11, 2027, with the amateur Paris-Roubaix Challenge listed for Saturday, April 10. Where: From Compiègne, north of Paris, to the velodrome at Roubaix near Lille. Type: Professional cycling one-day classic, with men’s and women’s races.
The Paris-Roubaix cycling race, nicknamed the Hell of the North, is famous for its rough cobbled sectors. Listings give April 11 for the 124th edition of the men’s race, starting as usual from Compiègne, and the women’s race is also listed for April 11. The official route and start times for 2027 were not yet published at the time of research, so check the organizer’s site closer to the date.
Tip: Watching from the roadside on the cobbled sectors needs early arrival, walking and patience, and the best-known sectors are crowded. Roubaix and Lille are easy to combine by train, and the velodrome finish is the most comfortable place to see the end of the race if tickets or access are available. Most visitors who are not cycling fans can skip this and keep that weekend for other plans.
Printemps de Bourges Festival in April
When: Tuesday, April 20 to Sunday, April 25, 2027. Where: Bourges, in the Cher department of central France. Type: Contemporary music festival (pop, rock, rap, electro and more).
The Printemps de Bourges festival is one of France’s major spring music events, with concerts across city venues and a mix of established names and emerging artists. At the time of research the 2027 lineup had not been announced, so check the festival site before buying tickets. Bourges is a good small-city stop for its cathedral, medieval center and timbered houses, and it is easy to reach from Paris by train, which makes a day or night trip realistic for music fans.
International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire
When: Opens April 22, 2027 and runs to November 1. Where: Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loire Valley. Type: Garden design festival with temporary gardens by international designers.
The 2027 theme is announced as Gardens of Love, which marks the festival’s 35th anniversary; designers are selected by competition (the submission deadline was November 3, 2026) and around twenty gardens are normally on show. Two listings and the estate’s own call for entries agree on the April 22 to November 1 dates. Late April shows the gardens young and the spring flowers at their freshest. The domain is a castle estate with art installations, so allow most of a day. For where to stay in the valley, see our guide to chateau hotels in the Loire Valley.
Foire de Paris: Things to Do in France in April
When: April 30 to May 10, 2027. Where: Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles. Type: Consumer fair covering home goods, food, gadgets and regional products.
Foire de Paris is a major consumer fair with exhibitors covering home improvement, food, crafts and shopping, attracting a largely domestic audience. It is of limited interest to most visitors, apart from tasting regional food stalls, but it affects hotels near the Porte de Versailles and the Metro and tram nearby. The fair takes place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from April 30 to May 10, 2027. Opening hours are generally 10:00 to 19:00, with an evening opening on May 8.
Foire du Trône Spring Funfair in Paris
When: Dates to be confirmed — check the organiser; it traditionally opens in late March or early April and runs to late May. Where: Pelouse de Reuilly, Bois de Vincennes, Paris 12th. Type: Large funfair.
The only confirmed information is the seasonal window; exact opening, closing and ticket rules should come from the organiser. Families visiting during the school break will find it lively and crowded on weekends.
Giverny and the Monet gardens
Claude Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny, in Normandy, are a seasonal attraction that opens around the start of April and closes in early November, with the dates and hours to be confirmed for 2027 on the official site. April brings tulips, early flowers and cooler weather, and the site is much less packed than in summer.
European Heritage Crafts Days in Early April
The Journées européennes des métiers d’art run from March 30 to April 4, 2027, under the theme “Hors champ”. Across France, artisans and craftspeople open workshops, host demonstrations and offer opportunities to discover traditional and contemporary skills.
Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Monaco
This clay-court tennis tournament takes place in Monaco, not France, but many visitors combine it with a stay in Menton or Nice. Most listings, including the Côte d’Azur tourism board, give April 3 to 11, 2027, but a Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur listing shows April 4 to 12, so confirm with the organiser before booking. Tickets sell out for the later rounds.
Things to Do in France in April: Travel Practicalities
- Strikes: Transport strikes can happen in any month, and no April 2027 action was known at the time of writing. Check SNCF and your airline in the days before travel, especially on school-holiday departure weekends.
- Race closures: Expect road and Metro changes in Paris on April 4.
- Seasonal openings: Some gardens, boat trips and island services start the season in April; confirm each one.
What April Is Like for Travelers
April is a spring month with changeable weather. Climate summaries put Paris’s April average near 11 to 12°C, with daytime highs roughly 8 to 17°C and rain on about ten days, though sources vary: mild, sunny days alternate with showers, and evenings can be cool. Pack layers and a light rain jacket. Parks, gardens and fruit trees are in bloom, daylight is long after clocks change in late March, and terraces are open. Crowds are moderate: busy around the school-holiday weekends and in the main Paris sights, but far lighter than July or August. Flights and hotels are mid-range in price, rising on marathon weekends and school-break peaks. Our season-by-season guide compares April with the shoulder months on either side.
Where to Stay
Choose accommodation by the cluster of events you actually plan to attend, and look at where to stay by district rather than by single hotel.
- Paris, marathon and Foire du Trône: Stay near a Metro line to the Champs-Élysées area or the Bois de Vincennes edge. Our guide to the best hotels in Paris across the Right Bank, Left Bank and Marais helps you pick a district. Book early for the marathon weekend.
- Riviera and Monaco: Nice has the best transport links to the coast and Monaco; see our hotels in Nice and the French Riviera.
- Lyon, a hub for zone A families and a gateway city: see where to stay in Lyon by neighborhood.
- Bordeaux, a spring-friendly city for day trips and wine regions: see where to stay in Bordeaux by neighborhood.
- Loire Valley, for Chaumont and Bourges day trips: choose a castle town base and see the Loire hotels guide linked above.
Things to Do in France in April: What to Prioritize
- Chaumont-sur-Loire garden festival (from April 22): best fit for a first-time visitor who wants spring scenery and design.
- Giverny and the spring gardens: go on a weekday and book ahead where possible.
- Paris Marathon weekend (April 4): exciting to watch if you are in Paris anyway, but plan the closures.
- Printemps de Bourges (April 20 to 25): a priority only if the lineup suits you.
- Paris-Roubaix (April 11): for cycling fans, with a long day trip.
- Foire du Trône and Foire de Paris: optional, mostly local fairs.
Bottom Line
April 2027 is a good month to travel France if you accept some uncertainty: spring scenery, fewer crowds than summer and a handful of strong events, led by the Paris Marathon, Paris-Roubaix, the Printemps de Bourges and the Chaumont garden festival. Easter falls in March, April has no public holiday, and the real planning variable is the school-holiday zone calendar. Lock in dates from the organisers’ official pages, and keep flexible for anything marked to be confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in France in April?
The Paris Marathon, Paris-Roubaix cycling race, Printemps de Bourges festival and spring gardens are among the notable April experiences. Match your plans to the event dates and school holiday periods.
When is the Paris Marathon?
The Paris Marathon takes place on April 4, 2027. Check the race route before choosing a spectator spot.
When is the Paris-Roubaix cycling race?
The professional race is scheduled for April 11, 2027, and the amateur Paris-Roubaix Challenge for April 10.
When is the Printemps de Bourges festival?
Printemps de Bourges takes place from April 20 to 25, 2027, in Bourges.
Is Foire de Paris held in April?
Yes. Foire de Paris begins on April 30, 2027, and continues through May 10 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
Are there public holidays in France in April?
There are no nationwide public holidays in April 2027: Easter Monday falls on March 29.
Do school holidays affect visiting France in April?
Yes. Spring school holidays are staggered across zones C, A and B, beginning April 3, 10 and 17 respectively in 2027.
Is April a good time to see gardens in France?
April is a spring garden season, but opening dates and flowering conditions depend on the venue and weather.
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