As the days get longer and sunnier, Paris thrills one and all with a tempting programme of cultural events: a variety of concerts, big exhibitions, musicals, ballets, must-see trade fairs … here are the top things to do and see in March.
Save the date: one of the most exciting events of the year takes place on 1 March! The famous Chinese New Year in the 13th arrondissement of Paris will be celebrating the year of the Fire Horse, which starts officially on 17 February 2026.
In March, we'll be immersing ourselves in the artistic effervescence of Paris with a fine selection of captivating exhibitions.
From 17 March 2026 and until 19 July 2026, the musée d'Orsay presents Renoir and love, a huge retrospective organized in collaboration with the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. A lovely way to see masterpieces by the great Impressionist painter from a new perspective.
Le Grand Palais, in partnership with the Centre Pompidou – still closed for renovation work - looks back at the last years of work of the artist with Matisse, 1941-1954, from 24 March to 26 July 2026.
Dive into the surprising work of the famous naive painter Henri “Le Douanier” Rousseau, with the exhibition Henri Rousseau, the Ambition of Painting, which runs from 25 March to 20 July 2026 at the musée de l'Orangerie.
From 4 March until 31 August 2026, la Bourse de Commerce plays on the theme of Clair-obscur in a presentation of some twenty contemporary artists at the Collection Pinault. Never has this 16th-century painting technique been so modern.
The Musée Jacquemart-André devotes an exhibition to Hispanic baroque art, du 26 mars au 2 août 2026, Splendeurs du baroque. Forty or so exceptional paintings, created during the Spanish Golden Age, including works by the artists El Greco, Velázquez and Zurbarán, revealed thanks to art competitions of the collections of the Hispanic Society of America (New York).
From 25 March until 20 September 2026, the musée Cognacq-Jay is showing Revealing the feminine. Fashion and appearances in the 18ᵉ century. The exhibition puts textile garments into perspective with paintings and drawings from the Age of Enlightenment. It offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of fashion and how it has influenced the role of women, customs, and society. Le Palais Galliera also explores the history of fashion during the Age of Enlightenment Fashion in the 18th Century. A Fantasized Legacy.
Also on the theme of fashion, the exhibition Africa Fashion at the musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac takes visitors on a journey to discover traditional and contemporary fashion in Africa (from 31 March to 12 July 2026). And the musée Guimet explores the popular trend “K-Beauty” from a variety of perspectives, from 18 March until 6 July 2026...
The exhibition ‘The invisible construction site. Behind the scenes of Jean-Jacques Annaud's films’ at the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation is a must-see for film lovers from 20 March 2026 to 31 October 2026 in Paris. This immersive retrospective lifts the veil on the creative and technical universe of a great master of French cinema, revealing treasures from the making of his films: spectacular sets, storyboards, iconographic documents, posters, iconic costumes such as the dress from L'Amant, and models and filming elements from landmark films such as Notre-Dame brûle.
Please note: In March 2026, several new developments will mark the cultural and tourist life of Paris and its surroundings. The Montparnasse Tower will close its doors permanently on 31 March 2026 to begin extensive renovations that will transform the iconic skyscraper into a modern complex with a new façade, redesigned spaces and even a greenhouse at the top - meaning that it will no longer be possible to visit its observatory from that date onwards.
In March, children enjoy their spring holidays! There's nothing better than a show to keep them entertained: Arbre au Cirque Bormann ; Le Roi Lion (until June 2026) and Mon Premier Ballet La Belle au Bois Dormant (until 8 March 2026) still at the théâtre Mogador; the last days of the show "Tempo" du Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione with the Paris firemen (until 8 March 2026), Carnival of the Animals at the théâtre des Champs-Élysées on Sunday 22 March 2026 ; Pocahontas, le musical and le Bossu de Notre-Dame in the Théâtre Gaîté Rive Gauche (until May 2026). Finally, there is also a festival of activities and concerts for kids at the Philharmonie de Paris. From 0 to 12 yrs, le Petit Grand Festival invites families for a celebration of music on 28 and 29 March 2026.
School holidays are an ideal time to encourage children to explore culture in a different way at museums designed especially for them: the musée de l'illusion, le musée des Arts forains, le Paradox Museum, la Cité des Sciences, le Musée en Herbe, le Muséum d’Histoire naturelle, l’Aquarium de Paris… Science Expériences, a museum and theme park rolled into one, at Bercy Village is sure to appeal to all the family!
You can also take advantage of the first warm days to visit the parks and chateaux of the Paris region: Versailles, Chantilly, Fontainebleau, Rambouillet, la Cité internationale universitaire de Paris…
Good to know: the foire du Trône returns to the Pelouse de Reuilly this spring! The fun begins on 27 March and continues until 31 May 2026. What to expect? Rides, attractions, funfair food and more!
Don’t miss the Festival Mondial de la Magie at the Dôme de Paris on 28 and 29 March 2026, magical moments for kids and grown-ups.
Looking for a thrill? The Eiffel Tower is offering a dizzying experience until 3 May 2026 with Le Vertige de la Tour. Completely free and open to all ticket-holding visitors aged 3 and over, this experience involves crossing a suspended net bridge 60 metres above the ground. Registration takes place on site, on the first floor of the monument, via a QR code, every day from 11am to 6pm. Extended opening hours are available until 8pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland® Paris will officially become ‘Disney Adventure World’ on 29 March 2026, with the opening of the spectacular Frozen Land, new immersive lands and brand new attractions - a major event for visitors to the Paris region.
With the arrival of spring and rising temperatures, competitions start again.
On 8 March 2026, the Hoka Paris half-marathon invites athletes to run a 21.1 km route passing through the Bois de Vincennes, the Seine quaysides and Paris City Hall. The Eiffel Towerl Vertical Race, a race up to the top of the tower, takes place on 21 and 22 March 2026.
During the same weekend, on 21 and 22 March 2026, l’Ecotrail, on the western edge of Paris, offers various races in a natural setting (80 km, 45 km, 10 km, Nordic walking…). At the adidas arena, basketball fans can enjoy Paris Madness, five high-flying matches in which the resident club, Paris Basketball, takes on the best European teams over 10 days, until 22 March 2026!
The prestigious equestrian competition Saut Hermès returns to the Grand Palais for three days of unique events (du 20 au 22 mars 2026).
For basketball fans, The Original Harlem Globetrotters come to l’Accor Arena on 28 and 29 March 2026 to celebrate their 100th anniversary!
Also, the Paris-Nice 2026 cycle race will set off from Les Yvelines on 8 and 9 March.
On the fashion scene, la Fashion Week autumn- winter ready-to-wear 2026/2027 will be on the catwalks in Paris from 2 to 10 March 2026.
Usually held in April at the Carreau du temple, the Urban Art Fair, the first international fair devoted to urban art, takes place this year from 19 to 22 March 2026.
On 17 March 2026, Paris adopts the traditions of Ireland for Saint Patrick’s Day. A great opportunity to continue the tradition of celebrating Irish culture, a custome that has been going on since the 17th century in Paris, a time when the Irish were fleeing the persecutions of the English and found refuge in the French capital.
To mark the occasion, the Irish Cultural Centre, which has a full year-long programme of events and activities, offers a series of events, concerts, shows and banquets during the St Patrick's Festival.
Le Mondial du Tourisme at the Paris expo Porte de Versailles, gathers all professionals in the sector to help you plan your future trips (from 12 to 15 March 2026). And at Paris expo Porte de Versailles (From 12 to 15 March 2026), the Salon Destinations Nature, is a must for keen walkers and hikers, with the latest trends on the subject. A new eco-tourism space groups together many environmental players that defend and protect the planet.
On 13 to 15 March 2026, pet owners or those wishing to adopt a pet, or several, should head to Paris expo Porte de Versailles for l’Expozoo - Paris animal show. As well as a large adoption center, visitors will discover new products and innovations and can attend events and workshops focusing on the well-being of our animal friends.
MedInTechs, the trade show for innovation in the health sector, will be at the Parc Floral on 9 and 10 March 2026. With 140 stands and 10,000 visitors, this trade shows gives the public the opportunity to find out more about health and new technologies.
An unmissable tradeshow for aeronautic fans, Aerocollector opens at l'Espace Charenton (du 20 au 22 mars 2026).
In spring, there is also a plethora of concerts to choose from.
Some of the biggest names on the music scene will be on stage: Sébastien Tellier (16 and 17 March 2026) at the Olympia, Benjamin Biolay at the Grand Rex on Monday 9 March 2026, the new superstar Theodora on 29 and 30 March at the Zénith, Indochine is in concert on Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March 2026 at Accor Arena, Rosalia presents her new album Lux à Accor Arena in Paris for two Parisian concert dates on Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 March 2026. This month, legendary bands will also be on stage: UB40 at la Salle Pleyel on Saturday 7 March 2026 and Wu-Tang Clan at the Accor Arena on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
Les Inrocks Festival celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Inrockuptibles the 11 march 2026 at the Bourse de Commerce. Dominique A, Philippe Katerine, Miossec ou Calypso Valois are just some of the much-awaited artists.
Le festival Jazz Banlieues Bleues runs from 27 March to 17 April 2026 with several concerts in the 93. Adidas Arena welcomes "The Lord of the Rings" in a symphonic concert on 5 March 2026, an eagerly awaited event, as are the concerts of the Black Legends. The musical musical from 20 to 22 March 2026 at The Seine Musicale.
March is an exciting month with a great line-up of ballets, operas and musical shows!
The Opéra de Paris stages ballets such as Impressions at the Palais Garnier (from 11 to 28 March) with choreography by Morau and Wright/Runacre-Temple, and operas at Opéra Bastille such as Carmen by Bizet (until 19 March 2026) and Nixon in China (until 20 March 2026).
Operas to look out for in March: the Opéra-Comique presents Nuit sans Aube (The Cold Heart), a new work by Matthias Pintscher and Daniel Arkadij Gerzenberg. An opera in 12 tableaux adapted from a romantic tale by Wilhelm Hauff.
As for musicals: the show The Last Ship by Sting runs from 18 February to 7 March 2026 at the Seine Musicale and Monte Cristo: the musical inspired by the novel The Count of Monte Cristo at the Folies Bergère jusqu’au 19 avril 2026. Still playing at the Théâtre du Lido Paris les Demoiselles de Rochefort until 8 March 2026 !
Please note: The legendary Bus Palladium, a temple of Parisian nightlife since the 1960s, is set to revive the capital's excitement with its reopening in March 2026 after several years of renovation. Closed in 2022 for renovation, this iconic venue is being reborn as a multifaceted hotel-club combining a concert venue, restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace and 35 designer rooms, while retaining the rock spirit and energy that made it legendary.
