April in Paris: Marathon and Foire de Paris!

April in Paris takes on a whole new dimension when you consider that the month will start off with the annual Paris marathon on April 6th this year (2008). Be sure to take a close look at the NEW ROUTE if you plan on running in the marathon. If you haven’t already signed up, it’s too late to participate for this year, but you can start training for 2009. Just remember to register on the Paris Marathon website no later than November.

Even if you don’t plan on running in the marathon, you can try walking part of the route through some of Paris’s loveliest neighborhoods - it starts on the Champs Elysees and heads west toward the Bois de Vincennes before looping back again toward Avenue Foch.

While Paris gardeners are hard at work to get the gardens looking delightful for the summer crowds, the first free garden concerts begin in some of the city’s bandstands (i.e. Jardin du Luxembourg).

Likewise, festivals and fairs are already in full swing at different venues. This year’s Festival Imaginaire (March 12 to April 18th) takes place at the Maison des Cultures du Monde, 101 Blvd. Raspail, Metro: Renne
is just one example with participants arriving from various corners of the world.

One of my favorite spring events, the annual Foire de Paris, starts on April 30th this year and runs through till May 12, 2008. Each year, the Foire takes over the Porte de Versailles convention halls. Here’s where you go to taste wine, try regional specialities, look at the latest in interior design and house construction, the latest gadgets. Normally we don’t get too much past the wine and foie gras stands, but there’s plenty to see - plan on staying for half a day, or a whole day. Each year gets better.

There are several good reasons to come to Paris in April. Plane fares still have not reached their high season peak rates. Opera and theater in still in going on. The Parisians are still in town, so you don’t feel as if you’ve arrived in a city that’s been abandoned (like in August).

The negatives? Well, in a word, the weather. It can be really hit or miss in April. Some years, April has been balmy and sun-filled, but the norm is to expect some rainy days when you’ll be very glad you brought an extra warm sweater and a water-proof jacket.

Although this year, spring has arrived in Paris extra early (February), it’s anyone’s guess as to what April has in store for us. If you love taking photographs, remember that those misty spring days promise the best shots.