Where To See Stunning Spring Flowers In Paris

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Paris blooms. Almost all year. But there is something sacred when spring arrives carrying signs of renewed life. Spring flowers in Paris bring a pop of colour. Fragrances carried on a light breeze fill the air.

Coming from  Canada where the majority of the country is frozen solid until an early spring thaw in April, I can barely contain myself when I find a rose blooming in January in Paris. Yellow crocuses and violet hyacinths poking through the earth in February make my heart skip.

In March, magnolias are ready to burst into bloom by the Eiffel Tower and cherry blossoms colour the city in a pink hue. Love chestnut trees in bloom? Stand on the bridges of Canal Saint-Martin and witness the glorious trees laden with white blossoms arching over the waterway.

Finding spring flowers in Paris adds to the romance of the city. It lightens the heart to find tulips, poppies, and daffodils taking up their space and shouting, “Here I am!” or quietly tucked away in secluded corners.

Here is your guide to tracking down spring flowers in Paris. 

Spring Flowers In Paris: Magnolias

I love chasing magnolias and finding the pink or white buds facing skyward, just ready to burst forth. They are anxious to be seen, flowering before their glossy green counterparts arrive. Magnolias are one of the spring flowers in Paris that are worth the side trip. Especially in the Champ de Mars with the Eiffel Tower in view. 

The Eiffel Tower in the spring framed with pink magnolias is magic. It is a sight you won’t soon forget. 

Pair that with the fragrance of magnolias. Close your eyes, just for a second, and inhale. Ah, spring flowers in Paris can shift an ordinary day to extraordinary.

Where To See These Spring Flowers in Paris: Magnolias

• Champ de Mars: Find the best magnolias trees while standing facing the Eiffel Tower on the west side of the Champ de Mars. Don’t forget the Eiffel Tower is not the only thing to do in the 7th arrondissement!
• Garden of the Palais Royal: One of my favourite gardens in Paris. (1st arrondissement)
• Tuileries Gardens: Stand in the Tuileries Gardens near the Louvre to find magnolias. (1st arrondissement)
• rue Saint-Blaise: This cobbled street in the 20th arrondissement has 2 beautiful magnolia trees. If you arrive and they are not yet in bloom, have a coffee, and explore the Eglise Saint-Germain de Charonne.
• Eglise Saint-Eustache: Stand in the square at Chatelet-Les Halles and admire magnolia trees and this magnificent Gothic church!
• Equestrian Statue of Etienne Marcel: Stand on the Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville and see the Etienne Marcel Statue framed by glorious magnolias.

Spring Flowers In Paris: Wisteria 

When purple is your favourite colour, wisteria ranks right up there as a favoured spring flower in Paris.

The delicate, fragrant violet blossoms tumble and climb at the same time. The flowers reach over fences and scramble up fabulous façades in Paris. 

Where To See These Spring Flowers in Paris: Wisteria

• rue du Fourcy: This was my first sighting of wisteria in Paris. They make the perfect side trip if you are exploring le Marais. (4th arrondissement)
• The Grande Mosquée de Paris: This stunning array of wisteria will take your breath away. Stay for a mint tea. (5th arrondissement)
• Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole: The façade of this ancient café on Ile de la Cité is covered with wisteria. (4th arrondissement)

Spring Flowers In Paris: Chestnut Trees

Chestnut trees are everywhere in Paris. Once you recognize them, at the end of April you’ll be searching for the pink and white blossoms. I love the cycle of the chestnut trees and their prickly green shells sheltering conkers that tumble to the ground in the fall.

White chestnuts bloom up and down Canal Saint-Martin. Stand on the bridges and enjoy these spring flowers or better yet plan a picnic!  

Where To See These Spring Flowers in Paris: Chestnut Trees

• Canal Saint-Martin: You can’t miss them! (10th arrondissement)
• Place Dauphine: Stop by one of Paris’s Royal Squares and admire the pink chestnut trees. Spend a few minutes watching pétanque. There is always a game underway! (1st arrondissement)
• Eglise Saint-Sulpice: I love this square with the Fountain of the Four Bishops flowing, the misatched towers of the church reaching skyward, and knowing that Catherine Deneuve lives close by and might appear at any given moment. Sit under the blooming chestnut trees and inhale Paris. (6th arrondissement)

Cherry Blossoms In Paris

Cherry blossoms in Paris are a sure sign that spring has sprung. Keep your eyes open for these pink and white superstars from about mid-March until the end of April (depending on the weather, of course). Paris cherry blossoms are a delightful addition to the most beautiful city in the world but the blossom season is quite short.

Although cherry blossoms in Paris are quite easily found, here are a few top spots to find these springtime blossoms.

Top Spots To Find Cherry Blossoms in Paris:

• The Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars: What better spot to find cherry blossoms in Paris than right by the Eiffel Tower? The Eiffel Tower in the spring is unforgettable. Head to the Champ de Mars where’ll you find lots of stunning cherry blossoms. These cherry blossoms in Paris make for the perfect photo op!
• Paris Parks and Gardens: Cherry blossoms in Paris are found in the Luxembourg Gardens, the Jardin des Plantes, Jardin de Palais-Royal, Parc Monceau and Parc de Buttes-Chaumont
• Square Gabriel Pierné in the 6th arrondissement is a delightful square! Photo ops here involve cherry blossoms in Paris, statues, and the dome of the Institut de France.
• Just outside Shakespeare and Co. in the 5th arrondissement. If you love English language bookstores in Paris, peruse the books and sit by the cherry blossom to make the perfect spring day in Paris.
• Square René Viviani ( a few steps from Shakespeare and Co.) has the oldest tree in Paris and also fabulous cherry blossoms in Paris.
• On the Quai Saint-Bernard in the Jardin Tino-Rossi, cherry blossoms in Paris make a stunning appearance. I love the Jardin Tino-Rossi for the tango dancing but it’s a double win during cherry blossom season in Paris.
• If you happen to be heading to le Marais, get off at the metro Saint-Paul and just stop a while to admire the cherry blossoms in Paris.
• You’ll also find cherry blossoms in Paris on La Coulée Verte, the elevated walkway on an abandoned railway line in the 12th arrondissement.

The cherry blossom season in Paris is a photographer’s dream. Chase those little blossoms and see what you can create.

Spring Flowers in Paris: Grand White Cherry Blossom (Prunus Shirotae)

The Jardin des Plantes is known for its pink cherry blossoms and stunning gardens. But for spring flowers in Paris, the white cherry blossom (Prunus Shirotae) gets a special mention.

It’s a magnificent sight, this cherry tree that blooms in early April. Its plentiful, large white blooms cover the branches that arch to the ground.

You’ll find instagrammers setting up picnics and changing their clothes in the secluded spot where the branches reach for the ground. 

Go early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

You may catch the locals practising yoga.

It’s a peaceful way to begin a new day in Paris. 

Spring Flowers In Paris: Roses

I’ve confessed before that I was never a rose fan. Not until I moved to Paris. The scintillating scent of roses, easily inhaled in Paris in springtime, won me over. Colourful blooms on arbours, in gardens, and almost at every turn turned me into a die-hard fan of this popular flower.

It was in Paris that I first discovered Pierre de Ronsard roses. What were these delicate petals folded within each other? These gorgeous pink cup-shaped blooms drawing my attention skyward? And that was the beginning of my love affair with Pierre de Ronsard – both the famous Renaissance French poet and the roses named after him.

Where To See These Spring Flowers in Paris: Roses

Some of my favourite places to see roses in Paris from mid-May to mid-June

• Parc de Bagatelle: If you are a rose fan definitely go. (16th arrondissement)
• Garden of the Palais Royal: Sit on a bench and revel in the scent of roses. (1st arrondissement)
• Rose garden at the Jardin des Plantes: Calling all rose fans! (5th arrondissement)
• The Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars: Magnolias, cherry blossoms, and yes roses too can be seen framing the Eiffel Tower. (7th arrondissement)

Paris’s Parks And Gardens: A Riot Of Colour

Spring flowers in Paris are nothing short of breathtaking. You’ll see the gardeners in the parks working all season to plant and tend the fabulous arrays of floral gardens. Pull up an iconic green chair. Sit by a fountain. Watch the pony rides or a game of pétanque. Springtime in Paris is magical.

I hope you enjoy finding spring flowers in Paris as much as do!

Until next time,

More Paris Travel Info…

All my Paris resources are right here on this page.

If you love that village feel in Paris these areas might interest you:

Le Marais is one of the oldest areas of Paris. Once marshland, it is full of boutiques, cafés, gorgeous old mansions and museums. Read my full guide to le Marais and also insider Marais tips from a local.

Montmartre feels like a small village. This post on Montmartre leads you to the most popular sites as well as some lesser-known places on the hill.

Ile Saint-Louis is still one of my favourite spots in Paris. On Pont Saint-Louis, you’ll almost always find some street music.

Don’t forget to stroll by the canal under chestnut trees by Canal Saint-Martin and eat at some great restaurants in Canal Saint-Martin.

And Montparnasse. Most people think of the tall black tower looming over the Paris skyline or the train station. This guide on Montparnasse uncovers some marvellous things to discover in the 14th arrondissement.

If you like being by the water, Ile aux Cygnes in the Seine might be for you! The Statue of Liberty, views of the Eiffel Tower and locals walking their dogs!

If you are looking for food suggestions, read about where to find the best croissants in Paris. And, if you have a sweet tooth like me, check out these best pâtisseries to try. There are also plenty of café suggestions for the Marais area in this post: Tips from a Local.

Travelling to Paris alone? This article on navigating Paris alone is full of tips and tricks for the solo traveller.

This page has all my articles on Paris that will help you plan out your trip, including day trips from Paris. I hope you subscribed to my newsletter to get my free download – An Amazing 2-day Itinerary in Paris.

If you are going further afield in France, make sure to check out my page on France.

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Author: Alison Browneis following a long-held dream and living in Paris. For the past 6 + years, she has pursued her passion for exploring the world as a solo traveller and housesitter. Her adventures have taken her to Central & South America, SE Asia and Europe. A former teacher, she now inspires women to push the boundaries of their comfort zone and step out into the wide world. Let's start calling those dreams a plan!

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