Visiting France in April

Visit France this April for a family Easter holiday, outdoor activity holiday or a romantic city break.

Printemps, or spring, has come to France. The countryside is bursting into life with verdant green hedgerows and meadows bordering country lanes.

What with the milder weather as well, this makes April a great month to get out in the open air, blow away the winter cobwebs, and maybe enjoy the great outdoors in France with an activity holiday. Or, as France is the home of romance what could be more special that long walks on one of France’s wide open beaches, or a visit to magical Paris on a romantic holiday to France.

April is also the time to celebrate Easter in France, and there’s no better place to do so than in one of France’s many rural villages or hamlets, where you can join in the celebrations and marvel at the confectionery creations on display.

Easter also sees the start of the high tourist season and therefore higher prices, so why not check out our range of affordable self catering accommodation and last minute holiday bargains.

Easter in France

Easter, or Pâques, is celebrated across France in villages and towns over the long Easter weekend (03rd-05th April in 2010). Church bells are rung on Easter Sunday, children have Easter egg hunts and family meals are prepared using seasonal produce. The French also delight in extravagant confectionery and chocolate creations.

April School Holidays in France

The Easter or Spring school holidays are staggered throughout April to help avoid excess traffic on the roads and excessive demand for holiday accommodation. The schools of France are divided into three zones, and each zone has its own holiday dates:

• Saturday 09/04/11 to Monday 25/04/11
• Saturday 16/04/11 to Monday 02/05/11
• Saturday 23/04/10 to Monday 09/05/11

April Public Holidays in France

There are two key public holidays for Easter, or Pâques as it is known in France:

• Sunday 24/04/11
• Monday 25/04/11

French Climate in April

Spring is in full flow so the weather is generally mild, but can be changeable and a little cold in the evenings so you still need to pack clothing for all eventualities if you are out and about. Paris in April can be particularly prone to heavy downpours of rain.

Average Temperatures in April

The average temperatures across France during April are:

• In Paris the average temperature is around 55 Fahrenheit or nearly 13 degrees Celsius.
• In the South West the average temperature is 60 Fahrenheit or just over 15 degrees Celsius.
• In Provence the average temperature is 62 Fahrenheit or almost 17 degrees Celsius.
• In Corsica the average temperature is 64 Fahrenheit or almost 18 degrees Celsius.

Paris in the Spring Time

Spring is one the best times to visit Paris for a short city break or romantic getaway, and you can find great value accommodation with our Paris hotel search. Or visit our extensive French city break guide and you can also find all the other top destinations in France for culture, history, shopping, and much more.

Events and Festivals

The French love a festival, and April in France is no exception. Choose from large organised events like the Paris Marathon, or Toulouse International Fair, to smaller intimate cultural events like the Joan of Arc Festival in Orleans. April is also a good time to take an invigorating visit one of France’s many beaches, for the Kite Festival or Sand Sculpture Festival, both easily accessible in Pas de Calais.

Holiday Accommodation in April

There's a wide range of quality and affordable holiday accommodation to be found in France during April, including rural farmhouses, villas, gites, bed and breakfast and hotels. You can search for your perfect April holiday accommodation at French Connections and don't forget to check out latest special offers from holiday property owners.