More about: 9 Things to Do in Paris in March
March is a month filled with numerous festivities, celebrations and activities, from the height of Parisian fashion to colourful and picturesque street parades.
Discover everything there is to do in Paris at this time of year and create a travel itinerary where you can enjoy festivals, museums, attractions and, of course, fabulous food and charming scenery.
1. Experience Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week is the name given to the famous series of presentations that take place in the French capital and bring to a close the "fashion weeks" in other capitals such as London, New York and Venice.
Paris is proclaimed worldwide as the capital of fashion and style, so this event is extremely important for Parisians in general, but especially for its designers and models who drive a multi-million dollar industry around the world. The leading Parisian fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès and Louis Vuitton also take part.
However, it is true that it is a very exclusive event, to which only personalities linked to fashion and entertainment usually have access.
Go shopping in Paris
Shopping in Paris is one of the city's top activities, as it has boutiques of major brands precisely because it is considered the fashion capital. For this reason, there are many shopping tours organised in Paris to suit all tastes and budgets.
For example, you can book a shopping trip to the La Vallée outlet in Paris if you are interested in exclusive brands at good prices, with return transport included. Ready for some glamour?
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
On the other hand, if you can't get tickets to see the Paris Fashion Week shows but want to soak up Parisian fashion, don't hesitate to book tickets to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum:
The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is an exhibition where you can see the workshop and fashion collections of the great French haute couture designer.
2. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Disneyland Paris or the Moulin Rouge
With a growing Irish population and tourists travelling from all over the world for these festivities, Paris is one of the most popular European destinations for enjoying the famous St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Every year on 17 March, the French capital hosts a number of events combining music, beer, dancing and parades.
Where it takes place
This festival takes place throughout Paris. However, below is a list of the most interesting activities and events:
- St. Patrick's Day Parade: If you are a Disney fan or visiting Paris with children, you can choose to visit the St. Patrick'sDay parade at Disneyland Paris. Don't hesitate to book your tickets for Disneyland Paris and don't miss this opportunity.
- Moulin Rouge: If you want to see the legendary green windmill, don't miss this show held on St. Patrick's Day. Book your tickets for the Moulin Rouge with dinner and enjoy a unique experience.
- Tour of the best Irish pubs in Paris: If you're looking to try top-quality Irish beer, some pubs in Paris such as La Guinness Tavern, O'Sullivan's Pub Montmartre and Patrick's Le Ballon Vert offer the best.
3. Catch up on French cinema
Cinema was born in France with the creation of the first film and the first projection device by the Lumière brothers. It is therefore no surprise that the art of cinema and film festivals are an important part of the French cultural landscape.
During the month of March, Paris hosts several annual film festivals, so if you visit the city at this time of year, you will have the opportunity to admire the work of award-winning directors and, of course, emerging talents.
Where it takes place
There are several options for enjoying Parisian cinema in March:
- Cinéma du Réel: The International Documentary Film Festival is held in mid-March and screenings take place at the Pompidou Centre. Book your tickets for the Pompidou Centre in advance and enjoy both the seventh art and the art collection.
- Printemps du Cinéma or Spring Film Festival, which takes place every year during the last days of the month. Participating Parisian cinemas screen a wide collection of films at greatly reduced box office prices for three days.
4. Delight in the Mardi Gras Carnival or go to a cabaret
Carnival celebrations in France are a series of festivities that include all kinds of parades and activities and culminate on Mardi Gras. They usually take place between February and March, so if you are in Paris for the carnival celebrations, don't miss out!
There are two particular celebrations that stand out. Choosing one or the other will depend on your travel itinerary and your desire for adventure.
Cabaret in true Parisian style
If you don't arrive in time for Mardi Gras because your trip doesn't coincide with this celebration (as you know, it changes every year), here are some other suggestions for those looking to have a good time with magic shows, acrobatics and cabaret, with a direct link to buy tickets online in advance:
5. Join the Carnaval de Femmes
The Carnaval de Femmes is a colourful costume parade held every year during the month of March. This unique celebration is also known as Fête des blanchisseuses or Laundry Women's Festival, in honour of the story that gave rise to the celebration.
According to Parisians, this tradition began in the 18th century, when the washerwomen who worked along the River Seine selected the Queen of the Day and then danced under the stars until dawn.
Where it takes place
The Fête des blanchisseuses route begins at the Gambetta metro station in the 20th arrondissement and ends at the Place de la République.
How to get tickets
No tickets are required for this event. It is a free, non-profit parade open to the public. For more details on upcoming dates, visit the event's official website.
6. Attend the Paris Half Marathon
Since 1993, the Paris Half Marathon has been held every March in the French capital. The event marks the start of the city's annual sporting calendar.
This event is also known as the warm-up phase for the Paris Marathon, which takes place every year in April.
Where it takes place
Although the route may be modified in certain respects, it always takes in the most important avenues of Paris and the most attractive tourist spots and monuments.
The result is a race route with beautiful views so that runners, who come from all corners of the world, are captivated by the city's charm.
How to get tickets
If you would like to register as a runner in the Paris Half Marathon, you can do so on the official website.
Please note that the Paris Marathon is one of the few events in this category that requires all competitors to undergo a full medical examination within the last year. The registration fee for the event starts at €50, but you do not need to pay anything to watch the race as a spectator.
7. Experience jazz music at the Banlieues Bleues Festival
The French love jazz, so travelling to the Parisian suburbs to enjoy the Banlieues Bleues Festival is on many people's agenda year after year. It was founded by Jacques Pornon and artistic director Xavier Lemetre in 1984 and has more than 30 years of history. The festival is held over five weeks between March and April.
This jazz festival takes place in various venues in Seine-St-Denis and includes a varied programme of shows, which we recommend checking out on the official website.
As a general rule, you can enjoy performances by highly talented artists from genres such as jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, flamenco and rhythms from various corners of the world.
Where it takes place
The festival takes place every year in Saint-Denis, a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, located 9.4 km from the city. To get to Saint-Denis, I recommend taking the H train from Gare du Nord to Saint-Denis station.
How to get tickets
Information about the event schedule and ticket prices can be found on the official website. The average ticket price is usually no more than €16 for general admission, while seniors over 60, students and those under 21 pay a lower price.
8. Enjoy an equestrian show
If you are a horse fan or are simply curious about these fascinating creatures, consider attending the Saut Hermès Equestrian Show, an annual competition with an artistic and cultural flavour that celebrates all facets of the equestrian world. It is sponsored by the Parisian fashion brand and company Maison Hermès.
The event has received the highest classification from the International Equestrian Federation and attracts an average of 4,000 spectators each year. In addition to watching the competitions, you can visit the stands, specialised bookshops and a photo booth.
Where it takes place
Since its creation in 2011, this event has been held at the Grand Palais on Avenue du Général Eisenhower.
How to get tickets
Tickets for the event can be purchased directly on the Saut Hermes website. Prices start at €60.
9. Attend the European Craft Days
Organised by the National Crafts Institute, this event seeks to raise awareness of the craft sector. These days invite the general public to meet the artisans, visit their workshops and discover the skills of their trade.
The event was created in 2012 and has since gained a strong international dimension. Five thousand events are organised throughout France, including workshop openings, exhibitions in heritage sites, professional meetings, educational tours, themed circuits, recreational activities and much more.
The event takes place every year in late March and early April. For more information on the programme of activities in Paris and other cities, visit the official website.
Temperatures in Paris in March
With temperatures ranging from 5 to 13 degrees Celsius, the weather in Paris during March is usually described as cool and pleasant.
While it is still necessary to wear warm clothing, snowfall is practically non-existent and only in exceptionally cold years can it occur as an occasional event, making it one of the best months to visit Paris and enjoy everything the city has to offer, including visits to the best Parisian museums, fabulous food and charming landscapes.
Unlike January and February in Paris, which remain cold most of the time, March is a changeable and polarising month; don't be surprised if you find yourself caught in a cold winter rain one afternoon, only to see bright sunshine and hear birds singing the next day, as if it were spring in Paris.