What’s On in Paris – March 2024

Daylight savings in France takes place at 2am on Sunday, March 31st. The 31st is also Easter, which means many places will be closed on Monday, April 1st, an official “bank holiday” in France.

VACANCES SCOLAIRES (French School Holidays): The winter holidays for 2024 are February 10 through March 11th, depending on the region (Paris/Ile-de-France is February 10-26). This usually affects how crowded a particular city or resort may be, as well as train and hotel prices.

March 3
Today is the 15th annual Carnaval des Femmes, or more specifically, the Carnaval des Femmes Fête des Reines des Blanchisseuses de la Mi-Carême (Women’s Carnival Celebration of the Queens of the Laundresses of Mid-Lent), a real “people’s parade” organized in the same fun spirit as the Carnaval de Paris, but with a call to come dressed up: “Women as Queens, and Men as Women…if they Dare!” The parade will gather at Place du Châtelet starting at 1pm, and the processions starts at 3pm for a grand circle through the Marais, and finishing back at Châtelet at 6pm. This year’s theme is “Tribute to Basile Pachkoff“.

March 4
Follow the historic vote for the inclusion of abortion rights into the French Constitution live at Trocadéro’s Parvis des Libertés et des Droits de l’Homme on giant screens, starting at 3:30 PM with full coverage of the debates, or join around 6:00 PM for the voting moment. Celebrations with speeches and music will begin at 6:30 PM to mark this momentous victory for women’s freedom (and keep an eye on the Eiffel Tower, which will have special lighting for the occasion).

March 7
Citéco, the economics museum in the stunning Hôtel Gaillard, opens its doors for free on the first Thursday of the month (download the free invitation on their website). You will also have access to the exhibition on the legendary Simone Veil.

March 7 – June 1
Discover Paris of the 1970s through the lens of photographers François-Xavier Bouchart and Léon Claude Vénézia at the Roger-Viollet Gallery’s free exhibition from March 7 to June 1, 2024. Featuring sixty photographs, this exhibit captures the vibrant, colorful, and unique essence of the popular neighborhoods of Belleville and Ménilmontant in the 20th arrondissement, offering a glimpse into the lives of workers, immigrants, and the modestly employed during a time of significant urban renewal. The vernissage will be the evening of March 7th from 6:30pm-9pm.

March 8-9
The Taombaovao Festival celebrates the Madagascar New Year at the REcyclerie (83 Boulevard Ornano, 18th). This unique event, designed by Malagasy Women Empowerment (MWE) and Ala Tetikasa, offers a fascinating dive into Malagasy culture with artists and DJs , a street food stand, a corner for flash tattoos, traditional Malagasy games, and thrift clothing stands. Free entry with registration.

March 8-17
The 106th annual Foire de Chatou gathers nearly 500 antique and second-hand dealers at île des Impressionnistes, 10 minutes from Paris. Expect high quality goods from vintage jewellery to industrial furniture, mid-century lighting to 18th century antiquities. Plus regional French foods, oysters and both a cocktail and a champagne bar! Entry €10 (free for under-15s), purchase on-site; there’s a free shuttle bus from RER station Rueil-Malmaison. Open 10am-7pm.

March 9-10
Violette Sauvage is the biggest “vide grenier” (empty your attic) clothing sale of the year, this time in 3000m² at Galeries Montparnasse (22 rue de Départ). There will be clothing and accessories from “thrift” to high-end designer brands for a steal. Open 11am-6pm. Entry €2.

March 9-11
Calling all coffee addicts/lovers, the Paris Café Festival is back at the Carreau du Temple (4 Rue Eugène Spuller, 3rd), where you can “taste exceptional specialty coffees, meet the best French baristas & roasters​, discover new kit, gear & latest innovations, learn from the experts​, and enjoy cocktails, beats & good times.” Attention: tickets are €22 if you buy online in advance, or €28 at the door. Take advantage of those free samples!

March 13
Tickets for the Roland Garros French Open Tennis Tournament go on sale March 13th for the general public. Read this article on how to be prepared, they go quick!

March 16
The Gros Marché is holding a huge second-hand clothes market at Ground Control (81, rue du Charolais, 12th) today from noon-7pm, with 40 stands selling items €5-€30. As usual, there will be the bookstore, record shop, and the Ground Control food court. Free entry.

March 16-17
Le Marché des Producteurs de Pays is back this weekend at the Marché Popincourt (along Boulevard Richard Lenoir between rues Oberkampf and Jean-Pierre Timbaud). This is a special farmers’ market where the actual producers are manning the stands (usually in Paris the sellers at the markets are not the actual farmers/producers), selling regional wines, Armagnac, cognac, goat and sheep cheeses, Limousin apples, Agen prunes, Périgord walnuts, etc. Open Saturday 9am-8pm, until 7pm on Sunday.

March 16-17
EcoWorld360 is the first fair in Paris dedicated to Ecological Transition, with leading brands in sustainable micro-mobilities, renewable energies, organic and plant-based food, eco-friendly housing, and responsible fashion and cosmetics. “Transforming Paris into an ‘ecological capital’, this event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about the future of our planet.” At the Carreau du Temple, 4 rue Eugène Spuller, 3rd, 10am-6:30pm, free entry with downloadable ticket on their website.

March 24
The historic Courses des Garçons (Waiters Race), is back, rebaptized the Course des Cafés, taking place with 200 participants today at the Hôtel de Ville at 10am. Each participant will be equipped with a tray on which a glass of water, a croissant, and a coffee will be placed, with the goal being to cross the finish line as quickly as possible without dropping anything.

March 24-26
The annual Printemps du Cinéma is a three-day festival where all of the participating films are just €5, from indie films to blockbusters (see the list here).

Through March 31
 Aura Invalides is an immersive evening light show inside the Dôme des Invalides. “Showcasing the iconic monument’s rich architecture and heritage through light, video mapping, and music, AURA INVALIDES takes you on a spectacular journey worthy of its setting.” The experience lasts 50 minutes, during which time you’re free to stroll around at your leisure to enjoy the entire experience. Note that there are no toilets, no seating, no coat check, no strollers allowed, and there is no elevator or ramp for those who can’t go up/down the stairs. Open Tues-Sat with shows at 7:15pm and 8:45pm (and some at 10:15pm around the holidays). Tickets €9.50-€22 (cannot be purchased on-site, you need to buy them online).

Through May 5
For the new exposition by Invader, one of the most famous street artists in the world, he’s taking over five floors of a deserted building (the former headquarters of Libération newspaper, 11 rue Béranger in the 3rd, which will be converted into a hotel at some point in the future) for a special exhibition of his pixellated tile street art. Tickets are €10, with specific time slots to visit, ONLY available online. Note that there is no elevator or other way to access the exhibit besides the stairs, and there is no coat check (and no heating, either, so…maybe keep your coat on). The spaces are going to fill up fast, book ASAP! If you missed out, they are going to open up more time slots, sign up here to be notified when they do.