11 things to see and do in Paris in April

April is possibly one of the best months to travel to the French capital: spring in Paris is a magical time when the city is full of beautiful and colourful streets, many concerts fill the calendar this month and important art and craft exhibitions are held. Read on to discover the top 10 things to do if you travel to the French capital in April.

The Paris Marathon starts on Sunday in early April at the Arc de Triomphe when 65,000 runners from all over the world start the course on the Champs Elysées and around a quarter of a million spectators line the 26.2 mile (42.2km) route to watch the race.

Pre-race events include the 3-day Paris Marathon Expo at Porte de Versailles, where you can also pick up your race bib, and a 5km breakfast run.

Whether you're running or watching the Marathon route, the course will provide spectacular views focused on iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre or the two huge wooded parks of Paris. This beautiful tour can be done on foot if you book a guided tour of Paris, which also includes tickets to the Arc de Triomphe.

If modern or contemporary art is your passion, the annual Art Paris fair should be at the top of your must-see list for April:

• It's held at the Grand Palais in early April.
• You can see works by more than 1,000 artists from over 70 countries.
• Renowned and emerging artists perform special shows.
• Solo exhibitions and digital projections are on display.
• Tickets cost around 25 euros.

Paris is a city full of museums and works of art, and if you really want to make the most of your visit to the French capital my recommendation is to buy the Paris Pass, which includes tickets to many of the city's museums, among other benefits such as access to the Big Bus Paris or a sightseeing cruise. Sounds good, doesn't it? Access to Big Bus Paris

Although the magnolia in the city is starting to fade, there's no denying that some of the fluffiest cherry blossom trees are in full bloom during the first two weeks of April. And there's nothing better than taking a tour of the Île de la Cité, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle and La Conciergerie prison to see them.

In fact, some of the best places to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Paris are in the trees surrounding Notre Dame cathedral. Just on the south side of the cathedral you'll see thousands of pink blossoms, which are at their peak in April.

You can also cross the Seine and visit the Quai de Montebello. There, the density of cherry trees is even greater, so it is not unusual to see a blanket of blossoms that you can pick and put in a vase in the Parisian tradition. The smells are enchanting!

This annual event is a bibliophile's dream as there will be over one hundred and fifty exhibitors. The fair is held in the temporary Grand Palais on the Champ de Mars in the open air.

To be able to enjoy a literary atmosphere in the full bloom of spring without the walls acting as a screen is quite an experience. Although the dates may vary depending on the weather, you can find all the information you need on the official website of the Champ de Mars.

A great way to get there and visit the most important places in Paris is to book a seat on the Paris sightseeing bus.

The Paris Art and Design event has been running for over 18 years in the Tuileries Gardens. It takes place at the beginning of April and usually only lasts 4-5 days, so make sure you don't miss it, especially if art runs through your veins. And if this is the case, don't hesitate to book a private art tour in Paris, fully customised to your interests and preferences.

Attendees range from professional designers and collectors to those who simply enjoy finding interesting pieces or inspiration for your home.

While Versailles*is rarely empty, arriving at opening hours to discover the beautiful gardens surrounding the Royal Palace of Versailles is definitely worth it. What's more, if you're in Paris in April for a day trip or just a two-day trip to Paris, you should stop by this iconic place to get some fresh air and enjoy the grandeur of the place.

The fresh air that fills your lungs when you walk through the Grand Trianon is very special. If the weather is fine, it's a great option to buy tickets to the Palace of Versailles, the gardens and Marie Antoinette's estate and see the spring flowers, as they should be at the peak of their bloom.

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Disneyland Paris for two main reasons:

• Excellent temperature: in April you avoid the excessive summer heat and winter cold. Bearing in mind that the park is outdoors and that you are going to spend a long time queuing, the weather conditions are more than relevant.
• Fewer tourists: as long as you avoid the days of Easter (in years when this holiday falls in April), this month is perfect for avoiding the large crowds that occur in summer. It is true that there are less touristy months, but they are precisely those in which the weather is less favourable.

If you have already made up your mind, don't forget to book your Disneyland Paris tickets in advance. When you make your reservation, you can choose between buying a single park ticket (Disneyland or Walt Disney Studios) or save money by buying both. However, bear in mind that these tickets are for one day, so if you want to spend more time enjoying like a child, I recommend you to buy tickets for several days, which also include by default the access to both parks.

The best time to take a day trip to the fairytale-like Château de Sceaux is in April.

After all, it's here, in the grounds of the French château, that you'll discover an orchard planted with cherry trees in full bloom in mid-April. Although it's not the hidden gem it was just a few years ago, make sure you head there as early as you can to enjoy the views without the crowds!

Speaking of books, another annual book fair is held in the French capital and is said to be one of the most popular literature-related festivals in the world- at the end of April, all manner of books and bibliophiles descend on the city to celebrate the written word!

For more details about the fair you can visit the :::link|text=website of Livre Paris|url=https://www.festivaldulivredeparis.fr. Also, on the same website you can find out about the writers who will be attending and all the mini-events that will accompany these 3 days of international fair.

The Foire du Trone attracts almost 5 million visitors and is held every year during April and May in the Bois de Vicennes, 12th arrondissement. It is a fair famous for carnival rides, stuffed animals, chips and beer.

Admission is completely free and prices are quite reasonable. By metro you can get off at the Porte Dorée stop (it pays to know how to use the metro in Paris).

Visit Paris ' huge Foire du Trone to be part of a tradition that dates back to 857 when the 15-year-old King Lothair established the first Fun Fair. Fun fact, the first fair was a sort of festive marketplace replete with acrobats and games of chance to entertain the crowds.

Spring is the perfect time to visit the Promenade plantée (also known as Coulée verte René-Dumont). A railway track that was in disrepair until it was converted into a walkway in 1993 with flowers galore.

You can also get fantastic views of the city as you stroll along this 4.5km elevated walkway with tons of green space. Highly recommended in April!

We could name many reasons why you should visit Paris in April:

• The first reason, without a doubt, is the onset of warm temperatures.
• Another reason to visit the city of love at this time of year is to see the plants blooming, while the trees are naturally adorned with flowers and fruit.
• April, along with October in Paris, are the best months to visit Paris because these months have a good balance between warm weather and fewer crowds.

Besides, you won't get bored here. I can assure you that there are plenty of things to do in Paris in April both outdoors and indoors.

The averages in April are slightly higher than in March in Paris. Not only does it rain a little less, but it is also warmer than the previous month. The sun also shines more often. Paris in April experiences, on average, 25 mm, only slightly more than in March.

On the other hand, April comes with many hours of sunshine per day, around 5 to be more specific. To be in that region of Europe is a real pleasure.

As for the temperature in Paris in April, it can rise considerably during the day, allowing pleasant walks along the Seine river or in the city's parks.

• Minimum temperature: 7°C
• Maximum temperature: 16°C
• Average daytime temperature: 11°C

If you're heading to Paris in April it's worth knowing that the city will experience a bit of everything throughout the month: rain, sun and wind. Comfortable daytime shoes should definitely be on your list of what to take to Paris. And for the evening, pack a pair of synthetic leather boots- they're sure to come in handy as temperatures drop at that time of day.

Unless it's unusually cold for the time of year, you won't need a hat or gloves; however, a light scarf always comes in handy in Paris. And as a final tip, make sure you pack a good anti-theft bag no matter where you go, especially if you're going for 7 days or more or need to move around a lot. Paris is full of pickpockets.

Paris is the most visited city in Europe. The peak tourist seasons from July to September in Paris see thousands of tourists wandering around Paris.

In April, the crowds are much smaller. Any attraction you visit will not have mile-long lines or crowds of people blocking the view.