More about: 9 Things to Do in Paris in March
March is a month packed with festivals, celebrations and activities, ranging from Parisian haute couture 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, the fabulous food and charming scenery.
1. Experience Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week is the name given to the famous series of shows held in the French capital, which brings the ‘fashion weeks’ in other capitals such as London, New York and Venice to a close.
Paris is hailed worldwide as the capital of fashion and style, making this event hugely important for Parisians in general, but especially for its designers and models who drive a multi-million-pound industry across the globe. Joining the line-up are the leading Parisian fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès and Louis Vuitton.
Although the truth is that it is a very exclusive event where only figures linked to fashion and show business usually have access.
Go shopping in Paris
Shopping in Paris is one of the city’s top activities, as it boasts boutiques of major brands precisely because it is considered the fashion capital. Consequently, 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’re 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 fancy soaking up some 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 on which the great French haute couture designer worked.
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 various events combining music, beer, dancing and parades.
Where it takes place
This festival takes place all over Paris. However, here is a list of the most interesting activities and events:
- St Patrick’s Day Parade: If you’re a Disney fan or visiting Paris with children, you might want to check out the St Patrick’s Day parade at Disneyland Paris. Don’t hesitate to book your tickets for Disneyland Paris and don’t miss out on 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.
- A tour of the best Irish pubs in Paris: If you’re looking to try top-quality Irish beer, some Parisian pubs such as La Guinness Tavern, O’Sullivan’s Pub Montmartre or Patrick’s Le Ballon Vert offer the best.
3. Catch up on French cinema
Cinema was born in France with the creation, by the Lumière brothers, of the first film and the first projection device. It is therefore no surprise that the art of cinema and film festivals are an important part of the French cultural landscape.
Throughout March, Paris hosts several annual film festivals, so if you’re visiting the city at this time, you’ll have the chance to admire the work of award-winning directors and, of course, emerging talents.
Where it takes place
To enjoy Parisian cinema in March, you have several options:
- Cinéma du Réel: The International Documentary Film Festival takes place in mid-March, with screenings held at the Centre Pompidou.
- Printemps du Cinéma, or the Spring Film Festival, takes place every year during the last few days of the month. Participating Parisian cinemas screen a wide selection of films over three days at a greatly reduced ticket price.
4. Enjoy 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’re in Paris for the carnival celebrations, you simply can’t miss it!
Two particular celebrations stand out. Choosing one or the other will depend on your travel itinerary and your appetite for adventure.
Cabaret in true Parisian style
If you can’t make it in time for Mardi Gras because your trip doesn’t coincide with this celebration (as you know, the dates change 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 fancy dress parade held every year in March. This unique celebration is also known as the Fête des blanchisseuses or Festival of the Washerwomen, in honour of the story behind the celebration.
According to the Parisians, this tradition began in the 18th century, when the washerwomen who worked along the River Seine would choose the Queen of the Day, before dancing under the stars until dawn.
Where it takes place
The route of the Fête des blanchisseuses starts at Gambetta metro station in the 20th arrondissement and ends at 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. If you’d like to find out more about upcoming dates, visit the event’s official website.
6. Take part in 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 for the Paris Marathon, which takes place every April.
Where it takes place
Although the route may be modified in certain respects, it always takes in Paris’s most important avenues and the city’s most attractive tourist spots and monuments.
The result is a race route with beautiful views, ensuring that runners from all corners of the world are captivated by the city’s charm.
How to get tickets
If you wish to register as a runner for 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 provide a full medical examination dated within the last year. The entry fee for the event starts at €50; however, there is no charge to watch the race as a spectator.
7. Experience jazz music at the Banlieues Bleues Festival
The French love jazz, so heading out 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 boasts over 30 years of history. The festival takes place over five weeks between March and April.
This jazz festival is held at various venues in Seine-St-Denis and features a varied programme of performances that we recommend checking out on the official website.
As a general rule, you’ll be able to enjoy performances by highly talented artists across 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, 9.4 km from the city centre. To get to Saint-Denis, I recommend taking the H train from Gare du Nord to Saint-Denis station.
How to get tickets
Information on 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, whilst over-60s, students and under-21s pay a reduced rate.
8. Enjoy an equestrian show
If you’re a horse lover or simply curious about these fascinating creatures, consider attending the Saut Hermès Equestrian Show, an annual competition with an artistic and cultural flair that celebrates all facets of the equestrian world. It is sponsored by the Parisian fashion house and brand Maison Hermès.
The event has received the highest rating from the International Equestrian Federation and attracts an average of 4,000 spectators each year. As well as watching the competitions, you can visit the stands, specialist bookshops and a photo booth.
Where it takes place
Since its inception 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 Hermès website. Prices start from €60.
9. Attend the European Craft Days
Organised by the National Institute of Crafts, this event aims to raise the profile of the craft sector. These days invite the general public to meet craftspeople, visit their workshops and discover the skills of their trade.
The event was launched in 2012 and has since gained a strong international dimension. 5,000 events are organised across France, including: workshop openings, exhibitions in heritage sites, professional meetings, educational tours, themed trails, fun 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 both 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 the month of March is usually described as cool and pleasant.
Whilst it is true that you still need to wear warm clothing, snowfall is practically non-existent and only in exceptionally cold years might 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, its fabulous food and its charming scenery.
Unlike January and February in Paris, which remain cold almost all the time, March is a changeable and polarising month; don’t be surprised if you find yourself caught in a cold winter’s rain one afternoon, only to see the sun shining brightly the next day and hear the birds singing as if it were spring in Paris.