Planning a luxury vacation to Paris this spring? Looking for advice on how to experience April in Paris like a luxury insider? Our frequent travelers are sharing tips on how to have the best luxury vacation in April in Paris, given that there are so many things to do, including the must-see hotels, cafes, parks and museum exhibits. Book your travel plans, dear reader. And let’s go!
how to have the best luxury vacation in Paris in April this year
Certain cities just go with certain seasons. Autumn in New York, for example.
How to have the best luxury vacation in April in Paris, given that there are so many things to do, including the must-see hotels, cafes, parks and museum exhibits.
And of course, April in Paris. Sung about, dreamed about – we love Paris anytime of year, but perhaps never more so than in the spring.
Tips on how to have the best luxury vacation in April in Paris, given that there are so many things to do, including the must-see hotels, cafes, parks and museum exhibits.
As the dashing rogue hero of Casablanca passionately declared to the love of his life: we’ll always have Paris.
If you’re itching to head to the City of Lights, this one’s for you. Here are our tips on how to have the best luxury vacation in April in Paris, given that there are so many things to do, including the must-see hotels, cafes, parks and museum exhibits this year.
top luxury vacation tips for seeing the best of Paris in April
How to get there
If money is no object and you want to feel as if you’re in France from the moment you step into the airport terminal at departure, you cannot do better than flying Air France in La Première. The airline’s highest level of First Class only offers four seats, and it is only available on 19 Air France aircraft, meaning it is the airline’s most exclusive offering.
ips on how to have the best luxury vacation in April in Paris, given that there are so many things to do, including the must-see hotels, cafes, parks and museum exhibits.
Each of La Première’s private suits has a seat that turns into a sumptuous bed. Passengers are offered menus signed by Michelin chefs; the best French wines and champagnes; and a 24-inch high-definition screen at each seat.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to save your luxuries for after you land, you might consider a flight on French bee, the first French smart-cost long-haul airline. It operates three to four times weekly depending on the season, with some flights to Paris costing less than $200!
Best hotels for a luxury vacation in April in Paris right now
1. Le Fouquet’s, Paris.
Le Fouquet’s, Paris is the last luxury hotel in Paris still owned by a French family. Complete with an underground spa, rooftop speakeasy, and renovated guest rooms overlooking the Champs-Élysées, you must say oui!
Have a delicious meal at Le Joy, the property’s garden restaurant, celebrating the savoir-faire of French producers. Head Barman Stéphane Ginouvès (Best Craftsman in France) created a cocktail menu with herbs grown exclusively within 2.5 miles of the Champs-Elysées.
Le Fouquet’s is also home to the archetype of all French brasseries, called Le Fouquet’s brasserie, founded in 1899 — and the established host of Cesar Awards after-party every year (the French Oscars).The property is owned by the Barriere group, established in France in 1912.
2. Le Meurice.
Le Meurice is another splendid option as long as you like things that are a bit over the top. Basically if you think the Russell’s home on “The Gilded Age” is quaint, then you’ll be just fine here.
After all, guests of the property of this newly opened hotel guests include quite the who’s who of history, including Queen Victoria, The King of Spain, Alphonse XIII, the Sultan of Zanzibar and Picasso.
So the over the top decor of columns, mosaic ceilings, paintings, hand-carved moldings and just overall opulence makes a bit more sense now. The hotel is located on the Rue de Rivoli. It is overlooking the Jardins Des Tuileries and just a short walk away from the Louvre so you could not ask for a better location. If it was good enough for the Sultan of Zanzibar, it’s good enough for you.
3. Cheval Blanc Paris at La Samaritaine.
If shopping in Paris is one of your favorite pastimes, then this newly opened hotel is the one for you. This is the first five-star hotel owned by LVMH in the city. And it is a real gem.
The interior design is by Peter Marino and with its panoramic location on the River Seine you really can’t go wrong. And you are just a few steps away from the Louvre. Vogue writer Rachel Donadio called it the most beautiful new hotel in Paris.
Best things to do on a luxury vacation to Paris in April
1. Observe the Paris spring blossoms
It’s hard to find a cheap activity in Paris so to find a free one is even more extraordinary and this one is also quite beautiful. Washington DC may have the cherry blossoms, but Paris has, well, Parisian cherry blossoms so they definitely look better in hats. Check out the Trocadero Gardens, the Parc du Champ-de-Mars by the Eiffel Tower and Square Jean XXIII by Notre Dame Cathedral to see these blooms. There is also the Musical Fountains Shows which starts in April to kick off the season in the Gardens at Palace of Versailles in early April.
2. Go on a historical tour of Montmartre
Flowers can only take you so far so be sure to check out some of this city’s rich history by walking the cobblestone streets of the historic quarter. A tour can show you the houses of Picasso and Van Gogh, Moulin Rouge, the only vineyard in Paris, Moulin de la Galette, and Place Dalida. Semi-private tours are available (maximum of 8 people.)
3. Tour Rodin’s gardens at Musée Rodin
Is there anything more quintessentially French than Rodin? When they reopened in the spring of 2021 after being closed during the pandemic it was a great celebration for so many Parisians as well as travelers from all over the world.
The museum itself is beautiful but the gardens are where you really see the genius of this artist. You can see his iconic The Thinker as well as The Gates of Hell.
4. Eat chocolate at À La Mère de Famille
What is better than April in Paris? April in Paris with chocolate. And you picked a good season to come as in America Valentine’s Day may be our main chocolate event but in Paris, it may be in April. Think chocolate eggs and chickens at all those delightful little shops. The oldest chocolate shop in Paris, À La Mère de Famille, is known for their creations at this time of year including a carton of chocolate eggs.
You will also see a lot of chocolate-shaped bells this time of year. We have the Easter Bunny but in France they have the Easter Bell. In this scenario the bells stop ringing a few days before Easter because they have gone to Rome to see the Pope but when they return they bring chocolates to give to all the children. We believe a bunny does this in the U.S. and in this situation it is a bell. Neither is truly plausible but the sentiment is nice and it all results in delicious chocolate. Be sure to check out Ladurée and Pierre Hermé as well.
5. Watch the Paris Marathon
Why do you think Parisians stay so thin? They run! Actually runners from all over the world come to participate in the annual The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris. This year it takes place on April 3. The course starts on the Champs-Elysees but some great places to watch include the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne. Then come see the finish line on Avenue Foch and get a splendid view of the Arc de Triomphe.
6. Attend an Easter concert in a historic location
There are so many great Easter concerts in Paris, you could spend your entire visit just going to them. But if you have to choose, here are three of the best:
Saint John’s Passion with the Paris Choir – Saint-Roch Church – April 9
Bach’s St John’s Passion – Madeleine Church – April 9
Saint John’s Passion with the Paris Choir – Oratoire du Louvre – April 10
7. Attend the annual Art Paris Art Fair
While you are in the city of art in April, check out their highly anticipated art fair. It takes place each spring under the dome of the Grand Palais. You can also see some classics as well as up and comers from April 7-10 this year.
8. Visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent – and all the other Saint Laurent exhibits
Speaking of great museums, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent is always one to see. But this year, the entire city is joining together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his first collection. The Musée du Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée de l’Art Moderne, the Centre Pompidou, the Musée National Picasso-Paris, and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris all have exhibits right now paying tribute to the legendary designer. “The project was conceived like a constellation, a galaxy, an archipelago,” says Mouna Mekouar, who curated the exhibit Saint Laurent aux Musées.
Where to go after dark on vacation in Paris in April
1. Moulin Rouge
Yes, you could see it on Broadway or watch the movie but we know nothing is better than the real thing. For an evening out in Paris treat yourself to the Moulin Rouge cabaret. Make a night of it with a four-course dinner, champagne, and some grand seats (plus you get to skip the line.)
2. Nuit des Musées
If singing and dancing isn’t your thing how about a night at the museum? Or rather Nuit des Musées. For the last 18 years, starting on the third Saturday in May, Paris museums have stayed open late into the night. This includes the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Pompidou Centre, Grand Palais and Museum of Modern Art.
Where to eat on vacation in April in Paris this year
1. The Café de l’Homme
Okay, so we may be taking a few tips from Emily in Paris, but what that show lacked in logic it made up for in eye candy. This was the place in episode 2 where Emily was literally speechless after seeing the Eiffel Tower from this view. It is located in Trocadéro inside the Palais de Chaillot (the former headquarters of the UN and NATO).
Plus, it is right near a bunch of great museums including the Musée de l’Homme, the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, the Musée Guimet, the Palais de Tokyo, the Palais Galliera and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent.
2. Café de Flore
Ok one more “Emily in Paris” spot, but this one was quite notorious before the show. It was the haunt of many prolific writers, actors and philosophers including Ernest Hemingway, Albert Camus, and Jane Fonda.
3. Mimosa
Notorious chef Jean-François Piège is behind many of Paris’s greatest restaurants ( Le Grand Restaurant and Clover Grill) and this one looks like he will be adding it to the roster. It is located in the newly renovated Hotel de la Marine. The cuisine is Mediterranean and the decor is 70s chic and the terrace will be open all summer.
4. Bambini at Palais de Tokyo
If you are looking for a more family-friendly place then Bambini at Palais de Tokyo may be your best option. Plus, you can see the Eiffel Tower as you eat. This is trendy Italian so think truffle pizza, truffle arancini, and fried calamari all for sharing.
An insider’s guide to enjoy the best of Paris in April
Those are our tips on how to have best luxury vacation in April in Paris, when there are so many things to do, including the must-see hotels, cafes, parks and museum exhibits. If you visit this spring, have a wonderful time.
