Weather in Paris in March

How March compares

March is the 8th warmest month of the year in Paris and ranks 125th of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within France it is 2nd of 2 (France in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Paris is 1.3°C warmer by day and 0.3°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Paris peaks at 11.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 3.6°C; one night in ten drops to -1.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 21.5°C (2017-03-30) and the coldest night -10.5°C (2013-03-13).

Rain in March

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 51 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 2001 with 132 mm, the driest 1993 with 2 mm. Humidity averages 78%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:04 and sets about 18:55 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 66%.

Is March a good time to visit Paris?

March is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Paris on our scoring are July, August, June.

Pack for chilly evenings, not just mild afternoons

The main catch is the gap between a comfortable afternoon walk and a cold evening. A coat, adjustable layers and closed shoes are more useful than a wardrobe built around spring sunshine. The warmest days can reach around 17°C or more, so you may want to shed a layer while walking, but that is not the everyday expectation. At the colder end, nights can fall to around -1°C or below. If you plan to stay out after dark, keep a warm layer with you rather than dressing for the afternoon alone. March suits travellers who enjoy walking in cool air more than sitting outside for long stretches.

Keep outdoor plans flexible

Rain is a practical consideration rather than a reason to rule March out. With about 10 rainy days, waterproof outerwear and shoes that cope with wet pavements are sensible choices. Leave room to move an outdoor walk to a drier spell instead of tying every day to a fixed plan. There are about 4 hours of sunshine within 11.6 hours of daylight, so daylight gives you more time outside than the sunshine figure might suggest, but bright skies are not something to rely on. This is a better fit for a mixed indoor and outdoor break than a trip whose enjoyment depends on dry, sunny weather.