10 things to see and do in Paris in March

March is a time of festivities, celebrations and activities, from Parisian high fashion to colourful and picturesque street parades.

Discover all there is to do in Paris at this time and create a travel itinerary where you can enjoy festivals, museums, attractions and, of course, fabulous food and enchanting scenery.

Paris Fashion Week is the name given to the famous day of presentations that takes place in the French capital and closes the run of "fashion weeks" in other capitals such as London, New York and Venice.

Paris is proclaimed throughout the world as the capital of fashion and style, so this event is extremely important for Parisians in general, but especially for its designers and models who move a million-dollar industry around the world. The main Parisian fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Hérmes and Louis Vuitton join the event.

Although the truth is that it is a very closed event where only personalities linked to fashion and show business usually have access.

Shopping in Paris

Shopping in Paris is one of the top plans in the city, as it has boutiques of major brands precisely because it is considered the capital of fashion. For this reason, there are many shopping tours in Paris to suit all tastes and budgets.

For example, you can book a shopping trip to the La Vallée outlet in Paris if you're interested in exclusive brands but at good prices, with return transport included. Ready for glamour?

Yves Saint Laurent Museum

On the other hand, if you can't get tickets to see the Paris Fashion Week shows but you 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 atelier and fashion collections that the great French haute couture designer worked on.

With a growing Irish population and tourists travelling from all over the world for the festivities, Paris is one of the most popular European destinations to enjoy the famous St. Patrick's Day celebration. Every year on 17 March, the French capital hosts a number of events combining music, beer, dancing and parades.

Where it takes place

This celebration takes place all over Paris. However, here is a list of the most interesting activities and events:

• St. Patrick's Day Parade: If you are a Disney fan or visiting Paris with children, you can choose to visit the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Disneyland Paris. Do not hesitate to book your tickets for Disneyland Paris and do not miss this opportunity.
• Moulin Rouge: If you want to see the mythical green-coloured mill, don't miss this show that takes place on St. Patrick's Day. Book your tickets for the Moulin Rouge with dinner and transport and live a unique experience.
• Tour of the best Irish pubs in Paris: If you're looking for top quality Irish beer, some pubs in Paris such as La Guinness Tavern, O'Sullivan's Pub Montmartre or Patrick's Le Ballon Vert offer the best.

Cinema was born in France with the creation by the Lumiére brothers of the first film and the first reproduction device. So it's no surprise that the art of cinema and film festivals are an important part of the French cultural landscape.

During March, Paris hosts several annual film festivals, so if you visit the city around this time, you'll have a chance to admire the work of award-winning directors and, of course, emerging talent.

Where it takes place

For Parisian cinema in March, there are several options:

• Cinéma du Réel: The International Documentary Film Festival takes place in mid-March and screenings are held at the Centre Pompidou. Book your tickets for the Centre Pompidou in advance and enjoy both the seventh art and the art collection.
• Printemps du Cinéma or the Spring of Cinema takes place every year during the last days of the month. Participating Parisian cinemas show a wide range of films for three days at a greatly reduced box office price.

Carnival festivities in France are a series of celebrations that include all kinds of parades and activities and conclude at Mardi Gras. They usually take place between February and March so if you're in Paris for Carnival celebrations, don't miss out!

There are two particular celebrations. Which one you choose will depend on your travel itinerary and your sense of adventure.

Cabaret in true Parisian style

If you don't make it in time for Mardi Gras because your trip doesn't coincide with this celebration (you know that it changes every year), here are some other proposals for those looking for a fun time with magic shows, acrobatics and cabaret, with a direct link to get tickets online in advance:

• Cabaret Crazy Horse in Paris.
• Cabaret Paradis Latin in Paris.
• Moulin Rouge with dinner and transport.

If you visit Paris with children you must visit La Grande Roue in Paris. Built in 1900 for the millennium celebrations, for years it held the title of the "biggest Ferris wheel in the world". Today, it is considered the largest mobile Ferris wheel as it is assembled and disassembled every year during the winter festivities in Paris.

La Grande Roue stands 70 metres high and from the highest point you can see the whole of Paris. Want to experience it on another level? Ride the Ferris wheel at sunset.

Where it takes place

From the end of November in Paris until the beginning of April, the traditional Parisian Ferris wheel is installed at Place de la Concorde. Tickets are available at the ticket booths there for around 10 euros.

Other suggestions for the little ones

If you're running out of ideas for things to do with the little ones in Paris and it's a rainy day, don't worry, there are plenty of other things to do with the family in the French capital beyond discovering the attractions at Disneyland Paris. Here are just a few:

• Louvre with kids: There are tours for the little ones to enjoy learning about all the art that this great museum houses. Of course, book your guided tour of the Louvre so you don't run out of space.
• Visit other museums such as the Musée Grevin in Paris or get your tickets for the Chocolate Museum. You'll have a great time.
• Visiting Versailles with children: Organised excursions and guided tours will make visiting this other must-see Parisian landmark much easier.
• Join one of the patisserie tours or get to know the best creperies in Paris.

The Carnaval de Femmes is a colourful costume parade held every year during the month of March. This peculiar celebration is also known as the Fête des blanchisseuses or the Washerwomen's Festival, after the story that gave birth to the celebration.

According to Parisians, this tradition began in the 18th century, when the washerwomen who worked along the Seine River select the Queen of the Day and then dance under the stars until dawn.

Where it takes place

The Fête des Blanchisseuses route starts at Gambetta metro station in the 20th arrondissement and ends at Place de la République.

How to get tickets

There is no need to buy tickets for this event. It is a free, non-profit parade, open to the public. For more details on upcoming dates, visit the official event website.

The Paris Half Marathon has been held in the French capital every March since 1993. The event that marks the starting point for the city's annual sporting calendar.

This event is also known as the warm-up phase for the Grand Paris Marathon, which takes place every year in April.

Where it takes place

Although the route can be modified in certain respects, the most important avenues of Paris and the most attractive tourist spots or monuments are always taken into account.

The result is a race route with beautiful views so that runners, who come from all corners of the world, are captivated by the attractiveness of the city.

How to get tickets

If you want to register as a runner for the Paris Semi-marathon, you can do so on the official website.

Please note that the Paris Marathon is one of the few events in this category that requires all competitors to have a full medical examination less than one year old. The registration fee for the event starts at €50, but to watch the race as a spectator you don't need to pay anything.

The French love jazz, so a trip to the Parisian suburbs for the Banlieues Bleues Festival is on the agenda for year after year. It was founded by Jacques Pornon and artistic director Xavier Lemetre in 1984 and has been running for more than 30 years. The festival is held over five weeks between March and April.

This jazz festival takes place at various venues in Seine-St-Denis and includes a varied programme of performances which we recommend you take a close look at on the official website.

As a general rule, you'll be able to enjoy performances by very talented artists from 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's itinerary and ticket prices can be found on the official website. The historical average ticket price is usually no more than €16 for general admission tickets, while over-60s, students and under-21s pay a lower price.

If you're a fan of horses or have any sort of curiosity about these fascinating creatures, consider attending the Saut Hermès Equestrian Show, an annual competition with an artistic and cultural tinge that celebrates all facets of the equestrian world. It is sponsored by Parisian fashion brand and company Maison Hérmes.

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 stands, specialised bookshops and a photo booth.

Where it is held

Since its creation in 2011, this event has been held at the Grand Palais, on the Avenue du Général Eisenhower.

How to get tickets

Tickets for the event can be purchased directly on the Saut Hermes website. Prices start at €60.

Organised by the National Institute of Crafts, this event aims to give greater recognition to the crafts sector. These days invite the general public to meet the artisans, visit their workshops and discover the knowledge of their craft.

The event was created in 2012 and has since gained a strong international dimension. 5,000 events are organised throughout France, including: workshop openings, exhibitions in heritage sites, meetings of professionals, educational routes, themed tours, fun activities and much more.

The event takes place every year in late March and early April. For more information on the programme of activities in Paris and in other cities, see the official website.

With temperatures ranging from 5 to 13 degrees Celsius, the weather in Paris in March is generally described as cool and pleasant.

While warm clothing is still necessary, snowfalls are virtually non-existent and only in exceptionally cold years can they occur as an occasional event, making it one of the best months to visit Paris and enjoy all there is to do in Paris and visit the best Parisian museums, fabulous food and enchanting scenery.

Unlike the months of January in Paris and February in Paris, which remain cold almost all the time, March is a changeable and polarising month; don't be surprised if you find yourself caught in a cold winter rain one afternoon only to, the next day, see a bright sun rise and hear the birds singing like it's springtime in Paris.