What to do in Paris in March

Spring is on the horizon and Paris is upping the ante with its program of events this month. There’s plenty on offer from jazz to equestrian fun to drag queen bingo and an Indian color festival. With the plethora of events on this month in Paris, it’s fair to say that there’s certainly something for everyone! Due to the Coronavirus, events gathering more than 1,000 participants may be cancelled – please check the latest news before making the trip.

Left, poster with red background and two people exploring in the woods for Banlieues Bleues music festival in Paris in March. Right, poster of a girl smoking for Cinema festival in Paris this month. — Top: DRAWING NOW Art Fair 2019 © Emmanuel Nguyen Ngoc. Above: Banlieues Bleues / Cinéma du réel.

Film

Cinema buffs have two great events this month in Paris to add to their diaries, beginning with Cinéma du réel: 42e festival international du film documentaire. From March 13-22, not only can you enjoy films by directors Pedro Costa and Mosco Boucault, but you will also have the opportunity to be in the presence of the filmmakers at a number of screenings and talks. The festival will take place at Centre Pompidou, Le Forum des Images, Luminor Hôtel de Ville and other partner venues across the city.

Left, banner for Circulations young photographers' festival in Paris in March. Right, Paris movie festival in March. — Circulation(s) / Le Printemps du Cinéma

Another great event for those on a budget, is Le Printemps du Cinéma, as each movie ticket only costs four euros (as opposed to the usual 9 euros for an adult fare)! The festival lasts from 29-31 March at participating cinemas.

Music

Explore beyond Paris’s péripherique (the ring road outlining the city) at the Festival Banlieues Blues from March 6 till April 4. Listen to international jazz music at concerts held around the Seine-Saint-Denis area, as well as nearly 15 cities and 20 concert halls in Paris’s banlieues (suburbs).

Combine music and heritage at Festival Paris Music from March 19-21. This festival presents a variety of musical genres – pop, hip hop, electronic, jazz, classical – in the most atypical of Parisian spots, such as museums, churches, cultural centers, private mansions, and jazz clubs.

Art

One of the biggest and most visited events of the tattoo industry, Mondial du Tatouage takes place on 13 March at La Grande Halle de la Villette. Presenting 420 tattoo artists from around the world, the convention also features concerts, food trucks, specialized books, tattoo equipment for professionals, and tattoo contests.

Banner for major tattoo event in Paris in March. — Mondial du Tatouage

Circulation(s) is a festival dedicated to young European photographers from March 14 – May 10 at the Centquatre in Paris, as well as satellite locations around France and abroad. The tenth anniversary edition will present 300 artworks, 45 artists, 39 projects, from 16 nationalities, as well as performances, events and surprises over 2,000m2 of exhibition space.

Left, a girl holding up a book that reads "tickets now on sale" for the Paris book fair in March. Right, a poster advertising the Paris book fair. — Salon du Livre

Bookworms will enjoy the Salon du Livre de Paris, an annual literary festival which will take place from March 20-23 at Porte de Versailles. Buy books, meet authors, or network at events for literary professionals at this major international festival celebrating the world of publishing.

A picture of piles of books at the book festival in Paris in March. — Salon du Livre – Julien Crégut.

Discover the best of contemporary drawing at the international art fair Drawing Now. From March 25-29 at Carreau du Temple, there will be 2,000 artworks, more than 300 artists and 71 international galleries.

Workshops

Learn hand embroidery for clothing with sustainable Berlin design studio Damaja on March 7 at Klin d’Oeil. You will learn basic hand embroidery techniques so that you can give your clothes a new life rather than throwing them away. They will provide all materials and designs, the workshop will be taught in English, and no previous knowledge or skills are necessary!

Left, the Hasard Ludique venue in Paris lit by night. Right, a girl wearing a t-shirt with embroidered cacti. — Le Hasard Ludique / Hand embroidery on clothing workshop

Dance like Beyoncé on March 10 at Le Hasard Ludique where you will learn step-by-step the choreography to her video clip “Run the World (Girls)”.

Sport

Horse lovers shouldn’t miss the Saut Hermès which will bring together the international show-jumping elite from 20-22 March at Grand Palais.

And More

What could be more fun than Bingo Drag? On March 24, head to Le Hasard Ludique where drag queen Catherine Pine O’Noir will be your fabulous host.

A crowd of people with a cloud of colorful paints above as they celebrate Holi festival in Paris in March. — Holi – Maxime Bhm

Paris’s fête des couleurs is one of the biggest Holi events in Europe, attracting 30,000 people. This year’s event will be held on March 29 at Jardin d’Acclimatation, in partnership with the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO France) and the Indian Embassy in France. An Indian village will be created celebrating the diversity of Indian culture and music, and more than 500kg of colored powder will be spread!

WRITTEN BY

Ali Postma

Ali is from Melbourne, Australia, where she studied Art History and Art Curatorship at university and worked in various art galleries. Passionate about all things arts and culture, she loves French film, Nordic noir, photography, street art and architecture. Addicted to pain au chocolat, Ali is fulfilling her dream of living in Paris.