What’s on In Paris – March/April 2020

Daylight savings in France takes place at 2am on March 29th (three weeks after the US).

March 4
Tickets for the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros (May 18 to June 7) go on sale today. Book ASAP to get yours, they always go fast! RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER! 

March 6-8 
The Vélo in Paris salon at the Parc Floral de Paris (Bois de Vincennes, 12th) is a show centered aorund everything bike-related for Parisians, including a test-riding day in the Parc Floral to try out electric bikes, mountain bikes, city cruisers, and kids bikes. Entry €8 for adults, €2 for kids. 

March 8
Today Paris is celebrating International Day of the Fight for Women’s Rights (with events throughout the month of March), this year focusing on Equality in the Workplace. There will be conferences, debates, concerts, theatre, informational meetings and a huge protest strike/march “On Arrêtes Toutes” on March 8th with a giant picnic at Place d’Italie (13th) at noon followed by a march to the Place de la République starting at 2pm. Download the full program here. If you don’t read French you’ll need the https://www.deepl.com/translator.

March 13-22
The 100^th 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 18^th century antiquities. Plus regional French foods, oysters and both a cocktail and a champagne bar! Entry €6 (free for under-15s); there’s a free shuttle bus from RER station Rueil-Malmaison. Open 10am-7pm.

March 20-23Vivre Autrement is an ethical, sustainable and organic trade show at the Parc Floral in the Bois de Vincennes. Stands cover food, wine, home, beauty, and eco-travel. Entry €7, or you can download a free entry ticket in advance on the website. 

March 22 & 29
Run for a good cause! This month in Paris there are no less than three races with proceeds going to charitable causes: 1) On March 22nd is the Course de La Jonquille (Daffodil Race), a 5k and 10k run or 3.5k walk in support of the Cancer Research at the Curie Institute. If you’d like to participate, the cost is €25 (register on-site that Sunday; €10 for kids). They also need volunteers to help out, or “bénévols“. If you’re not sporty or in Paris that day, you can buy these cute daffodil accessories to support the cause. 2) On March 29th is the Soli’Run, a 5k or 10k run, 1-2km for kids, or 4k walk for Habitat for Humanity in France (housing for those in need) in the Bois de Boulogne, €8-€25, registration possible the day of the race if places are available, medical certificate necessary for the runs. 3) Also on March 29th, dog lovers can run with their pooch in the Wamiz Run in support of the Guide Dog Associaltion of Paris, in the Bois de Vincennes. There is a 6k run and a 4k walk. If registration is closed, you can still check out the “Village”, free to all, with agility demonstrations, food stands and all sorts of services and products to spoil your dog.

March 26-29 
The Drawing Now Art Fair at the Carreau du Temple (3rd) is the first contemporary art fair in Europe dedicated solely to drawing, featuring works from 75 international galleries. Open 11am-8pm, tickets €9-€16.

March 27-28
Sinfonietta Paris is hosting their monthly intimate concert and wine tasting experience, their unique « Music by the Glass » chamber series, a blend of culture and relaxed conversations, chamber music and excellent wine in an intimate setting. “We are delighted to welcome the artists of Trio Zadig for an adventurous program of Beethoven, Bernstein, and Piazzolla on two dates:Friday, March 27 at 8pm at the Salle Colonne, in the 13th arrondissement; and Saturday March 28 at 8pm in the elegant space of the Musée national Jean-Jacques Henner, 17th arrondissement.” Tickets €25. More information and reservations here. 

Through April 5
The Festival de la Fourchette is an annual festival where hundreds of restaurants in France, including Paris, offer 40-60% off their regular menu prices. This is an excellent way to enjoy restaurants that are typically out of your budget, see the list and reserve online here: Festival de la Fourchette

Through April 13
The research schooner Tara has sailed up the Seine, mooring at the Port des Invalides in Paris (7th) for an exhibition about the vessel’s many expeditions and the Tara Ocean Foundation’s mission to preserve our world’s oceans and major rivers. Register online in advance if you’d like to tour the deck as well as see the educational exposition on the quay. Open 2-6 PM on Wednesday and Friday and 10 AM-6.30 PM on Saturday and Sundays. Coupled ticket – exhibition and upper deck visit of Tara: 8 € (4 € for 8 to 12 year olds and free for under 8 year olds), online booking only. Exhibition only (no reservation needed): 6 € (2 € for 8 to 12 years old and free for children under 8 years old). On the Quai de Seine (Left Bank), between Pont des Invalides and Pont Alexandre III. More info on the official website here.

Other Paris Calendar Links

▪       For General Events around Paris (including sports): Que Faire à Paris?

▪       For Off the Beaten Track Tours (in French or English) #ExploreParis

▪       For French Theatre with English surtitles: Theatre in Paris 

▪       For French Cinema with English surtitles: Lost in Frenchlation