More about: 9 Things to Do in Paris in March
March is a month filled with festivals, celebrations, and activities, ranging from Parisian haute couture to colorful and picturesque street parades.
Discover everything there is to do in Paris during this time and create a travel itinerary that lets you 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 wraps up the “fashion weeks” in other capitals such as London, New York, and Venice.
Paris is hailed worldwide as the capital of fashion and style, making this event extremely important for Parisians in general, but especially for its designers and models who drive a multi-million-dollar industry around the globe. Joining the event 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 the entertainment industry usually have access.
Go shopping in Paris
Shopping in Paris is one of the city’s top activities, as it boasts boutiques from major brands precisely because it is considered the fashion capital. As a result, there are many shopping tours organized in Paris to suit all tastes and budgets.
For example, you can book a shopping excursion to the La Vallée outlet in Paris if you’re interested in exclusive brands at great prices, with round-trip transportation 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 traveling 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 celebration. Every year on March 17, the French capital hosts various events that combine 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’re a Disney fan or visiting Paris with children, you can choose to attend the St. Patrick’s Day 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 to 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 Parisian pubs like 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’s no surprise, then, 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 visit the city during this time, you’ll have the chance to admire the work of award-winning directors and, of course, emerging talents.
Where to go
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 days of the month. Participating Parisian theaters screen a wide selection of films for three days at a significantly reduced ticket price.
4. Enjoy the Mardi Gras Carnival or go to a cabaret
Carnival festivities in France consist of a series of celebrations 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 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 the purest Parisian style
If you can’t make it in time for Mardi Gras because your trip doesn’t coincide with this celebration (you know it changes every year), here are some other suggestions for those looking to have a fun time enjoying 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 colorful costume parade held every year in March. This unique celebration is also known as the Fête des blanchisseuses or Festival of the Washerwomen, in honor 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 Seine River would select the Queen of the Day; they would then dance 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 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. Run the Paris Half Marathon
Since 1993, the Paris Half Marathon has been held every March in the French capital. The event marks the kickoff of the city’s annual sports 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 aspects, it always includes Paris’s most important avenues and the most attractive tourist sites 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 want to register as a runner for the Paris Half Marathon, you can do so on the official website.
Keep in mind that the Paris Marathon is one of the few events in this category that requires all competitors to provide a complete medical examination no more than one year old. The registration fee for the event starts at €50; however, to watch the race as a spectator, you don’t need to pay anything.
7. Experience jazz music at the Banlieues Bleues Festival
The French love jazz, so heading 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 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 diverse lineup of shows 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 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 for general admission is usually no more than €16, while seniors over 60, students, and those under 21 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 brand and company Maison Hermès.
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 booths, specialty bookstores, 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 at €60.
9. Attend the European Craft Days
Organized by the National Institute of Crafts, this event aims to raise awareness of the craft sector. These days invite the general public to meet artisans, visit their workshops, and discover the skills of their trade.
The event was created in 2012 and has since gained a strong international presence. 5,000 events are organized throughout France, including: workshop openings, exhibitions at heritage sites, professional gatherings, educational tours, themed tours, recreational activities, and much more.
The event takes place every year in late March and early April. For more information on the program 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.
While it’s true that you’ll still need to wear warm clothes, snowfall is practically nonexistent 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 —from visiting the best Parisian museums to its fabulous cuisine and charming scenery.
Unlike January and February in Paris, which remain 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 see the sun shining brightly the next day and hear the birds singing as if it were spring in Paris.