More about: 11 Things to Do in Paris in March
March is a time of numerous festivities, celebrations and activities, from Parisian high fashion to colorful and picturesque street parades.
Discover all there is to do in Paris during these dates and create a travel itinerary where you can enjoy festivals, museums, attractions and, of course, fabulous food and enchanting scenery.
1. Experience Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week or Paris Fashion Week is the name given to the famous day of presentations that takes place in the French capital and closes the tour of "fashion weeks" in other capitals such as London, New York or 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 move a millionaire industry around the world. The main Parisian fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Hérmes and Louis Vuitton join the event.
Although the truth is that it is a very closed event where only personalities linked to fashion and show business usually have access.
Shopping in Paris
Shopping in Paris is one of the top plans of the city, as it has boutiques of major brands precisely because it is considered the fashion capital. Therefore, there are many shopping tours organized in Paris for all tastes and budgets.
For example, you can book a shopping excursion to the La Vallée outlet in Paris if you are interested in exclusive brands but at good prices, with round-trip transportation included. Ready for glamour?
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
On the other hand, if you can't get tickets to see the Paris Fashion Week shows but still 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 atelier and fashion collections that the great French haute couture designer worked on.
2. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Disneyland Paris or at the Moulin Rouge
With a growing Irish population and tourists traveling from all over the world for the festivities, Paris is one of the most popular European destinations to enjoy the famous St. Patrick's Day celebration. Every year on March 17, the French capital hosts several events that combine music, beer, dancing and parades.
Where it takes place
This celebration takes place all over Paris. However, here 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's Day Parade at Disneyland Paris. Do not hesitate to book your tickets for Disneyland Paris and do not miss this opportunity.
- Moulin Rouge: If you want to see the mythical green colored mill, do not miss this show held on St. Patrick's Day. Book your tickets for the Moulin Rouge with dinner and live a unique experience.
- Tour of the best Irish pubs in Paris: If you are looking to taste top quality Irish beer, some pubs in Paris 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 Lumiére brothers, of the first film and the first reproduction device. So it's no surprise that the art of cinema and 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 around this time, you'll have a chance to admire the work of award-winning directors and, of course, emerging talent.
Where it takes place
To enjoy Parisian cinema in March, you have several alternatives:
- Cinéma du Réel: The International Documentary Film Festival takes place in mid-March and screenings are held at the Pompidou Center. Book your tickets for the Pompidou Center in advance and enjoy both the seventh art and the art collection.
- Printemps du Cinéma or the Springof Cinema takes place every year during the last days of the month. Participating Parisian cinemas show for three days a wide collection of films at a greatly reduced box office price.
4. Enjoy the Mardi Gras Carnival or go cabaret
Carnival festivities in France are a series of celebrations that include all kinds of parades and activities and conclude on Mardi Gras. They usually take place between the months of February and March so if you are in Paris for the Carnival celebrations you can't miss it!
Two particular celebrations stand out. Choosing one or the other will depend on your travel itinerary and desire for adventure.
Cabaret in the purest Parisian style
If you do not arrive in time for Mardi Gras because your trip does not coincide with this celebration (you know that every year it changes), I leave you other proposals for those looking for a fun time between magic shows, acrobatics and cabaret, with direct link to get tickets online and in advance:
5. Climb to the top at La Grande Roue
If you visit Paris with children you have to visit La Grande Roue in Paris. Built in 1900 for the millennium celebrations, for years it had the title of the "biggest Ferris wheel in the world". Today, it is considered the largest moving Ferris wheel as it is assembled and disassembled every year during the winter festivities in Paris.
La Grande Roue stands 70 meters high and from the highest point it is possible to see all of Paris. Want to experience it on another level? Ride the Ferris wheel during sunset.
Where it takes place
From the end of November in Paris until the beginning of April the traditional Parisian Ferris wheel is installed at the Place de la Concorde. You can get tickets there at the ticket booths for about 10 €.
Other suggestions for the little ones
If you run out of ideas of things to do with the little ones in Paris and it's a rainy day, don't worry, there are many other plans to do with the family in the French capital beyond discovering the attractions of Disneyland Paris. Here are a few:
- Louvre with kids: There are tours for the little ones to enjoy learning about all the art that houses this great museum. Of course, book your guided tour of the Louvre to avoid running out of room.
- Visit other museums like the Grevin Museum in Paris or get your tickets for the Chocolate Museum. You will have a great time.
- Visiting Versailles with kids: Organized excursions and guided tours will make visiting this other must-see Parisian landmark much easier.
- Sign up for one of the pastry shop tours or get to know the best creperies in Paris.
6. Join the Carnaval de Femmes
The Carnaval de Femmes is a colorful costume parade held every year during the month of March. This peculiar celebration is also known as Fête des blanchisseuses or Feast of the Washerwomen, in honor of the story that gave birth to the celebration.
According to Parisians, this tradition began in the XVIII century, when the washerwomen who worked along the Seine River select the Queen of the Day and then dance under the stars until dawn.
Where it takes place
The Fête des blanchisseuses route starts at the Gambetta metro station in the 20th arrondissement and ends at Place de la République.
How to get tickets
There is no need to purchase tickets 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.
7. Attend the Paris half-marathon
The Paris Half Marathon has been held in the French capital every March since 1993. The event that marks the starting point for the annual sports agenda of the city.
This event is also known as the warm-up phase of the Grand Marathon de Paris, which takes place every year in April.
Where it takes place
Although the route can be modified in certain aspects; the most important avenues of Paris and the most attractive tourist spots or monuments are always taken into account.
The result is a race route with beautiful views so that runners, who come from all corners of the world, are captivated by the attractiveness of the city.
How to get tickets
If you want to register as a runner for the Paris Semi-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 have a full medical examination less than one year old. The registration fee for the event starts at 50 €; but to watch the race as a spectator you don't need to pay anything.
8. Experience jazz music at the Festival Banlieues Bleues
The French love jazz, so a trip to the Parisian suburbs to enjoy the Banlieues Bleues Festival is on the agenda year after year. It was founded by Jacques Pornon and artistic director Xavier Lemetre in 1984 with over 30 years of history. The festival is held over five weeks between the months of March and April.
This jazz festival takes place at various venues in Seine-St-Denis and includes a varied schedule of shows that we recommend you take a close look at on the official website.
As a general rule, you can enjoy performances by very 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 itinerary and ticket prices can be found on the official website. The historical average ticket price does not usually exceed 16 € for general admission tickets, while seniors over 60, students and children under 21 pay a lower price.
9. Enjoy a horse show
If you're a horse fan or have any curiosity about these fascinating creatures, consider attending the Saut Hermès Equestrian Show, an annual competition with an artistic and cultural tinge that celebrates all facets of the equestrian world. It is sponsored by Parisian fashion brand and company Maison Hérmes.
The event has received the highest classification from the International Equestrian Federation and draws an average of 4,000 spectators each year. In addition to watching the competitions, you can visit the stands, specialized bookstores and a photo booth.
Where it is held
Since its creation in 2011, this event takes place at Grand Palais, on Avenue du Général Eisenhower.
How to get tickets
Tickets for the event can be purchased directly on the Saut Hermes website. The price starts at 60 €.
10.Attend the European Craft Days
Organized by the National Institute of Handicrafts, this event aims to increase the recognition of the handicraft sector. These days invite the general public to meet the artisans, approach their workshops and discover the knowledge of their craft.
The event was created in 2012 and has since gained a strong international dimension. 5,000 events are organized throughout France, including: workshop openings, exhibitions in heritage sites, meetings of professionals, educational routes, thematic circuits, fun activities and much more.
The event takes place every year in late March and early April. For more information on the program of activities both in Paris and in other cities consult the official website.
Paris temperatures in March
With temperatures ranging from 5 to 13 degrees Celsius, the weather in Paris during the month of March is usually defined as cool and pleasant.
While it is true that it is still necessary to wear warm clothes, snowfalls are practically non-existent and only in exceptionally cold years can they occur as an occasional event making it one of the best months to visit Paris and enjoy all there is to do in Paris and visit the best Parisian museums, its fabulous food and its enchanting landscapes.
Unlike the months of January in Paris and February in Paris, which stay cold almost all the time, March is a changeable and polarizing month; don't be surprised if you find yourself caught in a cold winter rain one afternoon only to, the next day, see a bright sun come out and hear the birds singing like it's springtime in Paris.