Paris in April: recommendations and tips for enjoying the city

April's main events include major art and craft exhibitions, a large "fun fair" dating back to early medieval times and the arrival of spring in Paris as all the city's trees bloom and sidewalk tables fill up in front of bars and cafes. Many wonderful concerts fill the April calendar, with concerts in historic churches, concerts at Sainte-Chapelle and well-known artists performing at iconic venues such as Bataclan, Trianon and AccorHotels Arena.

In fact, April is possibly one of the best months to travel to the French capital, but we'll get to that. Just keep in mind that springtime in Paris is a magical time when the city is filled with beautiful, colorful streets.

The Paris Marathon kicks off on Sunday in early April at the Arc de Triomphe when 65,000 runners from around the world begin the run down the Champs Elysees and about a quarter of a million spectators line the 26.2 mile (42.2 km) route to watch.

Whether you're running, or watching the Marathon route, the course will provide spectacular and focused views of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, :Notre Dame, the Louvre, and not to mention interesting runs through Paris' two huge wooded parks.

Thanks to the relatively flat course, the winner usually crosses the finish line in just over two hours, although many runners can still be seen along the course until at least mid-afternoon.

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.

This fair attracts nearly 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 the prices are quite reasonable. By metro you can get off at the stop: Porte Dorée (you should know how to use the metro in Paris).

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

If modern or contemporary art fuels your passion, the incredible annual Art Paris fair should be at the top of your must-visit list for April. Head to the Grand Palais to immerse yourself in the works of more than 1,000 artists from over 70 countries displayed under the huge glass dome.You'll see special shows by several big-name Parisian artists and established and emerging artists, mostly from Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Lima and Mexico City. There will also be solo exhibitions and digital projections at the front of the Grand Palais. The fair takes place in early April and tickets cost 25 euros.

Although the magnolia (tree species) in the city is starting to fade, there's no denying that some of the fluffiest cherry blossoms are in full bloom during the first two weeks of April. Some of the best places to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Paris is in the trees surrounding the Notre Dame cathedral. You can also cross the Seine and visit the Quai de Montebello, where the density of cherry trees is even higher, so it is not uncommon to see a blanket of blossoms that you can pick and put in a vase following the Parisian tradition, the smells are delightful!

The best time to take a day trip to the Château de Sceaux, something akin to a fairy tale, is in April. After all, it is here, on the grounds of the French château, that you will discover an orchard planted with cherry trees in full bloom in mid-April. While it's not a hidden gem as it was just a few years ago, be sure to head there as early as you can so you can enjoy the views without the crowds!

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 will find all the information you need on the official website of the Champ de Mars.

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 kinds of books and bibliophiles descend on the city to celebrate the written word! For more details on the fair you can visit the Livre Paris website. 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 Paris Art and Design event has been running for over 18 years in the Tuileries Gardens . It takes place in early April and only usually lasts 4 to 5 days, so make sure you don't miss this one, especially if art runs in your blood.

Attendees range from professional designers and collectors to those who simply enjoy finding interesting pieces or inspiration for your home. It 's not to be missed!

While Versailles is rarely empty, arriving at opening hours to discover the beautiful gardens surrounding this Royal Palace of Versailles is definitely worth your time. What's more, if you are going in April to Paris for a day or if you are only traveling for two days to Paris, you must 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 nice, it would be a nice excursion to see the gardens, and any flowers they have put out for spring, as they should be at the peak of their bloom.

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

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

We could name many reasons why you should visit Paris in April; however, the first reason, without a doubt, is the onset of warm temperatures. Another reason to visit the city of love at this time is to see the plants blooming, while the trees are naturally adorned with flowers and fruits. April, along with October in Paris, are the best months to visit Paris because these months have a good balance between warm weather and less crowds. However, it is not yet hot. The temperature is still relatively low, but definitely with a noticeable difference compared to March in Parisorother previous months. Rainy days are a bit more frequent than the previous month, but not as frequent as in May in Paris. Tourists visiting Paris in May see the most rain of the year. Besides, you won't be bored here. I can assure you that there are plenty of things to do in Paris in April both outdoors and indoors.

April averages are slightly higher than 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. As for rainfall, 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. 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 parks.

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

If you are going to Paris in April, you should know that the city will experience a bit of everything throughout the month: rain, sun and wind. Comfortable shoes during the day should definitely be on your list of what to take to Paris. And for the evening, pack a pair of faux 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, be sure to pack a good anti-theft bag no matter where you go, especially if you are 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.