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Paris Seasonal Activities Spring

The Complete Guide to Blossom Season in Paris

Cherry blossoms in Paris- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

(UPDATED VERSION 2019) Cherry blossom season in Paris is one of the most magical times of the year, and fortunately for all of us it tends to last awhile! Starting with the tiny pink flowers that are among the first signs of spring in late February and ending with fluffy full blossoms in mid-April, if you visit Paris in the spring you’re likely to find at least some form of pink blossoms. With this handy guide you’ll know exactly where to look for them!

Cherry blossom Paris- Palais Royal | The Glittering Unknown

Jardin du Palais-Royal

The first flowers that tend to appear are the magnolia blossoms, and one of the best places to find them is the Jardin du Palais Royal. Bonus if they appear at the same time as the daffodils, or jonquilles in French- it makes the garden feel like a spring haven, especially when the rest of the city hasn’t quite shaken off winter yet.

Other places to find magnolia blossoms include the Eiffel Tower and the garden next to Hotel de Ville, the Jardin des Combattants Espagnols de la Nueve. This garden is only open on weekends, but is a gorgeous little haven in a very central part of the city to see some pink.

Cherry blossom Paris- Hotel de Ville- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

Hôtel de Ville

The other early-season pink flowers can be seen by the Eiffel Tower. These aren’t the fluffy cherry blossoms that come later in the season; they’re much more delicate and are the precursor to reddish-brown leaves. They tend to bloom in early to mid March. A lovely cluster of these trees can be found in Square Rene Viviani, just south of Notre Dame across the river.

Cherry blossom Paris- Square Rene Viviani| The Glittering Unknown

Square Rene Viviani

April is when the big blossoms that the French refer to as cerisiers start to bloom, and that’s when the fluffy pink fun really begins. As usual, there are some to be found on the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, but the most popular ones are probably those in Square Jean XXIII on the south side of the Notre Dame cathedral. This is probably the most-photographed area for blossoms in the city, and is especially popular due to its many benches and large sandbox, so if you plan to photograph this one and want the benches empty, come early in the morning to beat the crowds. After this cluster, the trees in Jardin des Plantes are the next best known, especially the one gigantic tree whose branches reach almost to the ground and surround you in a cloud of pink petals.

Cherry blossom Paris- Square Jean XXIII- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

Cherry blossom Paris- Jardin des Plantes| The Glittering Unknown

Jardin des Plantes

Venturing to the northwestern part of the city, you’ll find a large grouping of trees in Parc Clichy-Batignolles, an area known to those in the neighborhood but not one of the most recognizable parks of the city, so you’ll have a chance to enjoy the blossoms in a calmer environment. Other beautifully blooming but lesser known parks include Square Marie Trintignant, in the 4th arrondissement by the river, and Jardin Saint Simonian hidden in a corner of the 20th. The latter tends to bloom around the same time as Parc Clichy-Batignolles, while the former is usually around the same time as those of Notre Dame.

Cherry blossom Paris- Parc Clichy-Batignolles| The Glittering Unknown

Parc Clichy-Batignolles

Cherry blossom Paris- Square Marie Trintignant| The Glittering Unknown

Square Marie Trintignant

Cherry blossom Paris- Jardin Saint-Simonian | The Glittering Unknown

Jardin Saint-Simonian

Deserving an added mention are the trees in front of Shakespeare and Company, the famed English-language bookstore on the Left Bank across from Notre Dame. Several line the little street in front of the bookstore and add an extra springy touch to the already charming storefront. The light hits the trees in the morning, so if you plan to take pictures here, get there early!

One of my personal favorite spots is along the Allée Vivaldi, a stretch of sidewalk and grass making up part of the Coulée Verte (or Promenade Plantée as it is also known). Right around sunset, the way the light hits the trees is just magical.

Two new discoveries of this year are groups of four trees right at the exits of metro Falguière on line 12 and to the left of metro Saint Paul on line 1. At Falguière, you exit the metro, you’ll see pink petals even on the steps just leading out from the quais, until you’re greeted with a canopy of pink upon ascending the last staircase. It’s a sweet and bright spot, and a bit unexpected, in the heart of the 15th. The trees at Saint Paul aren’t directly at the metro exit but instead on the corner (in front of the newly opened HEMA store) and are a lovely pop of color on a classically Parisian street.

Cherry blossom Paris- Shakespeare & Co- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

Shakespeare & Co

Cherry blossom Paris- Allee Vivaldi| The Glittering Unknown

Allée Vivaldi

Cherry blossom Paris- Metro stop Falguière, line 12- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

Metro stop Falguière, line 12

Cherry blossom Paris- Metro Saint Paul- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

Outside metro stop Saint Paul, line 1

Tucked away in a back corner in the lower Marais near the Centre Pompidou, the Jardin Anne Frank is home to a beautiful set of trees that frame a grassy area and playground. Known mainly to locals, it’s a quiet little oasis to sit and read or just enjoy the blossoms on a nice day. This one hold special meaning for me, because it’s the place where I first met the older of the two girls I au paired for last year!

Also set just off the beaten path, just steps from the bustling Pont des Arts, is Square Gabriel Pierné. Situated just behind the Institut de France, not only is it calm, but you have the added bonus of getting the Institut’s stunning dome in your blossom pictures!

Cherry blossom Paris- Jardin Anne Frank| The Glittering Unknown

Jardin Anne Frank

Cherry blossom Paris- Square Gabriel Pierné- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

Square Gabriel Pierné behind the Institut de France

Last but most certainly not least, the most impressive grouping of cherry trees in the greater Paris area isn’t in the city at all, but south on the RER B in the Domaine de Sceaux (pronounced “sew”). Not only is the little chateau and its gardens picture-perfect, walking into the cherry orchard is like walking into pink fluffy heaven- the holy grail for the cherry blossom hunter. At their peak, there are blossoms as far as the eye can see, and on warm sunny days make an ideal canopy for a picnic on the grass. Photos are great but really don’t do it justice; it’s the kind of place that has to be seen to be believed.

Picnic at Parc de Sceaux- cherry blossom Paris- THE GLITTERINGUNKNOWN

Parc de Sceaux

Another great location outside of the city is in Vincennes, a posh suburb just to the east of the city. I snapped this photo of myself a few years back using my tripod and it is still one of my favorite photos out of the thousands I’ve taken!

Street in Vincennes- cherry blossom Paris- THE GLITTERING UNKNOWN

Vincennes

NOTABLE ADDITIONS:

Petit Palais, the end of the flatiron-esque building on Rue du Louvre, Square Berlioz (aka Place Adolphe Max), the gardens of the Archives Nationales (Hotel de Soubise), Place Cambronne (off of the line 6 stop of the same name in the 15th), Jardin Tino Rossi along the Seine across from Gare d’Austerlitz (great if you’re walking along the river from Notre Dame to Jardin des Plantes, as they all bloom around the same time usually), Place Franz Liszt.

TIP: Blossoms in general begin at the end of February/beginning of March and last through April, but it varies from year to year. In  2016, for example, the magnolias at Palais Royal were blooming by the last week of February, but the blossoms at Notre Dame only reached their peak the third week of April, while the ones at Sceaux didn’t even make it there until the last week.

In 2018, the blossoms at Notre Dame were out in full force by the second week of April. Since it can vary so much, I honestly suggest checking the location tags on Instagram if you really want to check out a particular place (like Sceaux) but don’t want to go that far only to be met with bare trees.

So there you have it! Are there any places you would add to this list? And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for updates on when the blooms appear each year!

Pin the image below to save this article for your next Paris trip!

cherry blossom paris

  • Reply
    dikiz
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    Great article! Thank you

  • Reply
    Kaylene
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    I’d love to go to Paris for blossom season; so beautiful! It looks absolutely magical!

  • Reply
    Julia Dent
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    So beautiful! 🙂 I love cherry blossoms!!

  • Reply
    Travelwithtarah
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    Ive only seen the cherry blossoms in DC but this looks magical!! Will definitely have to plan my trip to Paris around this time!

  • Reply
    Alice Chen
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    I definitely didn’t expect there to be cherry blossoms in Paris, but these pictures are gorgeous! Wow!

  • Reply
    Tasha
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    The blossoms in Paris look so beautiful! It makes me to want to book a plane there right now. I have a short stop over there on a train in April so I’m wondering if there will be time to hunt for some blossoms! Fingers crossed.

  • Reply
    Sonja
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    Wow these photos are stunning! I had no idea that it was like this in Paris in the spring, I definitely need to consider a trip 🙂

  • Reply
    Alina from Reverie Chaser
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    Absolutely stunning, so many insider places I would have never managed to learn about myself! I especially liked the pictures, that of Parc de Sceaux is just pure wow! I absolutely love cherry blossoms and have always wanted to go to Japan, but looks like I will get even more awesome experience now in paris 🙂

  • Reply
    Nicole
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    Stunning photos! When do you think the best time in April would be to visit Paris and see the blossoms? 8/9 or 22/23 April?

    • Reply
      Emily
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      Thank you! Honestly there is absolutely no way to tell. I would be more inclined to say 8/9, but last year 22/23 would have been better. It’s really a luck of the draw!

  • Reply
    Melissa Lim
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    Absolutely beautiful- love this guide, Emily! took your tip about Parc de Sceaux and it was gorgeous.

  • Reply
    Eva Monterroso
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    Que belleza nunca me imagine ver tan lindos arbole y flores parece mágico en realidad me gustaria estar alli
    aparecer como por obra de magia, realmente estoy maravillara. que bueno que se preocupan de conservarlos y cuidarlos. felicitaciones.

    • Reply
      Emily
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      Muchas gracias Eva 🙂 espero que un dia tendras la possibilidad de ver las flores en persona !

  • Reply
    Christie Sultemeier
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    Oh hey girl! I’m working on a post about summer per season and stumbled on this beautiful post of yours via Google. It’s making me want to hop on a plane to see the cherry blossoms!

    • Reply
      Christie Sultemeier
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      about PARIS per season**

    • Reply
      Emily
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      Oh heyyy! Do it! Cherry blossom season is my absolute favorite time to be in Paris 🙂

  • Reply
    Zara
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    As if Paris is pretty enough! I’m literally in love with your photos! Soooo beautiful. I’ve been to Paris 4 times now but never in blossom season! Defo for next time!

  • Reply
    Dawn
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    Lovely! I didn’t know there are cherry blossoms in Paris. Thanks for sharing. Your photos are so lovely and vibrant too.

  • Reply
    Richa
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    Oh my! Looks soooo pretty <3 I am a sucker for flowers in spring. I chase Cherry Blossoms here in DC every year and now Will definitely be adding Paris to my list for a spring visit 🙂

  • Reply
    Ana @ Jaunting Trips
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    pink really suit Paris! i don’t see getting to japan anytime soon, and i’ve never been to paris in spring. sound like a plan for me hehe. just let’s see when this extended version of winter let’s europe go :))

  • Reply
    Michelle
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    Absolutely stunning!! I would love to visit Paris during the blossom season! Thank you so much for the gorgeous share.

  • Reply
    Mayi mac
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    So beautiful! I am ashamed to say that I have lived in Paris for 25 years and I was not aware of some of the places on your list. Now I want to book a trip back to Paris to see them.

  • Reply
    Yosephine
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    Hi, beautiful pictures! what’s the peak blooming time of 2018? we want to plan a trip for spring 2019 to Paris.

  • Reply
    Victoria Kabakian
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    I’ll be in Paris May 8-15. I know it’s just luck of the draw, but do you ever tend to see blossoms that late in the season? I’m hoping we get lucky. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Emily
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      Hi Victoria, unfortunately everything bloomed quite early this year- even the wisteria which usually waits till May is pretty much gone! But the city will be beautiful nevertheless- April and May are two of the prettiest months to visit Paris. Have a great trip!

  • Reply
    Karen Aleksanian
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    I would like to receive the newsletter and coming events dates and time.

  • Reply
    Sana Langote
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    Pictures are incredible! I had no idea that Paris does look wonderful in blossom. I would definitely plan Paris in blossom only. The view of Jardin du Palais Royal is just awesome. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    ve
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    amazing! thank you for sharing this Emily. i wonder the last photo in Vincennes, would you tell the address?
    in April 2020 i would like go to Paris, what a lovely city.

    thank you 😉

  • Reply
    Anderson
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    Salut. my name is Anderson. I have stayed in Paris a few times ( with very little money ) and wore my shoes out on the pavements. But there is a tree in the garden of Notre Dame that no-one could ever name for me. A blossom tree in July at the very edge ot the garden where we cross from the Isle St Louis and Cite to each bank, the Quai de le Archeveche. Can you name it? I don’t believe it a cherry. One of my memories and I will never see Paris again, just old maps, books and Earth view.
    Many thanks
    I appreciate your writings and pictures
    Anderson
    Nottingham

  • Reply
    Anderson
    at

    Greetings. je suis Anderson. I notice the picture in Square Viviani near Ste Julien le Pauvre. I aways gravitated there and joined the retired locals or have no need of work kind of people and we outnumbered the tourists. You can find in the picture one of the stone limbs which hold safe the oldest tree in Paris, a Robinia. It’s been living there for more than four hundred years which tells us something about that little garden and why we old folks drift into there. Long may it continue.
    Thank you Eva, stay safe
    Anderson

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