France Weather in April
The weather in France in April is very pleasant for travelers who don’t like the heat. Spring has sprung, flowers and trees are blossoming, and the roads aren't too busy with tourists. Mornings can be cold, but from midday, it gets warmer.
April may still be rainy in some French regions, especially near the mountains and by the Atlantic ocean. If you want to avoid rain, you should consider coming to France between mid-June and mid-September, as this is the drier season.
In Provence & the French Riviera, it already feels like summer on some days.
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Leonard de Serres - ADT Touraine
Festivals and Events in France in April
What to do in France in April? April is just the beginning of the festival season in France. Since the weather can be unpredictable, there aren't many festivals outside.
These are the main events in April:
- “Printemps de Bourges” music festival (one of the biggest pop music festivals in France)
- Deauville in Normandy (Easter classical music festival)
- Spring fair in Avignon in the last week of April
- Bayonne in the Basque Country hosts the traditional Basque choirs on the third weekend of April
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OT Hendaye
Best Places to visit in France in April
If you're wondering where to visit in France in April, our favorite places to recommend are the Loire Valley and Paris!
Chaumont-sur-Loire
The International Garden Festival is hosted in the gardens of Chaumont-sur-Loire castle, and opens in mid-April. This is an amazing place to visit for people interested in gardening. We go there EVERY single year and we are always amazed by the creations. Garden lovers may even like to spend two days there, and are unlikely to get bored, since there's so much to see.
Chateau de la Bourdaisière
The Plant and Spring Festival in la Bourdaisière castle in the Loire Valley is a local event in a very pretty castle. Spending an afternoon there is very pleasant. Discover unknown plants and also chickens! We also recommending visiting La Bourdaisière's amazing kitchen garden.
And of course, there are many other Loire Valley castles you might like to visit on your Loire Valley road trip!
Paris
Stroll the streets of Paris and discover the seasonal Paris exhibitions just as they're starting. Paris is busy with Parisians in April, but there won't be too many tourists. An ideal time to take a romantic stroll in Montmartre district!
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France Just For You
Best Things to do in France in April
In Carpentras, Provence
Taste the first strawberries of the season at Carpentras' strawberry festival in the third week of April. Enjoy the Luberon villages without the summer crowds, and taste the local wines from Mont Ventoux.
On the French Riviera
Enjoy the sun in Nice on the Riviera and do like the locals do: take a dip in the Mediterranean sea before the crowds arrive!
In Burgundy
Discover Burgundy vineyards on a bike on a sunny day. Stop at wineries and have a picnic with great views over La Rochepot castle.
Get more ideas on the Best Things to Do in France.
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Alain Doire - Bourgogne Tourisme
Why Travel with France Just For You?
France Just For You creates custom self-guided tours of France for travelers who want to explore France independently, while benefiting from our local expertise.
We begin by understanding how long you have, when you’re traveling, and what interests you most. This allows us to design an itinerary that gives you structure without rigidity, so you can explore at your own pace and choose what you want to do as you go along, based on our expert recommendations.
We take care of the practical arrangements that can make trip planning time-consuming, including:
- Carefully selected premium B&Bs or boutique hotels that we know, trust, and have tested ourselves
- A rental car with automatic transmission and full insurance
- Some pre-booked activities and private tours
- A detailed personalized guidebook and access to our MyFrance travel app with routes, maps, tickets, and practical information related to your trip
You travel on your own, at your own pace, with the reassurance that everything has been thoughtfully arranged. And while you’re in France, our team is available if you need support or advice along the way.
If you like the idea of exploring France at your own pace by car, with a personalized itinerary put together by us - your France-based experts - contact us at travel@france-justforyou.com, via our contact form, or complete a trip-planning form below and send it to us!
Send us your France trip-planning form
FAQ about traveling to France in April
How hot is France in April ?
Nowhere in France will be hot enough to prevent travelers from enjoying they road trip.
The average afternoon temperatures are 14-16°C 57-61°F in the northern part of the country and 17-19°C 63-66°F in southern France.
Get more details on the temperatures in each French region on our FAQ about the French weather.
Where is the warmest in France in April ?
The warmest regions of France in April are Provence, Dordogne, Carcassonne and the French Riviera.
Is April a good month to visit France ?
April month is perfect if you fear the heat and if you like the "spring feel" of the blossoming flowers and trees.
Travelers who enjoy warm weather may consider coming later in the year.
Is it easy to drive in France in April?
Roads are quiet and countryside driving is relaxing in early spring. For driving advice, car tips, and itinerary pacing, read our guide on how to plan a trip to France or our guide on driving in France for Americans.
Which other places in France should I visit?
The places to visit in France outside of Paris really depend on what you enjoy most.
Some travelers are drawn to wine regions like Burgundy, Bordeaux, or Champagne, others to coastal areas such as Brittany or the French Riviera, and many fall in love with countryside regions like Dordogne or Alsace.
What are the best regions to visit in France for a first trip?
For a first trip, it’s often best to combine regions that are easy to navigate and offer variety without long drives. Paris, the Loire Valley, and Normandy are popular combinations, as they balance culture, history, and countryside. This guide to the best regions to visit in France explains which areas combine well and how to choose based on your interests and pace.
We hope we have given you some ideas for your next trip to France, and inspired you to come on a custom self-drive tour of France with France Just For You! You may browse our sample tours of France or reach out to trip planners, Emilie and Laura, with any questions you may have.
Considering visiting France in a different month? Check out our other guides below:
- France in January
- France in February
- France in March
- France in May
- France in June
- France in July
- France in August
- France in September
- France in October
- France in November
- France in December
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