Paris in March 2017 – what’s on in spring?

“When spring comes to Paris the humblest mortal alive must feel that he dwells in Paradise”, so said Henry Miller in his 1934 novel, ‘Tropic of Cancer’.

Paris in March has the first wonderful hints of spring in the air, perfect for spotting the beginnings of blossom on the trees in one of Paris’s many parks, or soaking up the gentle warmth of sunlight at a terrasse de café.

As the temperature slowly creeps up and the days get longer, there is plenty to do in the City of Light. It’s time to throw off the winter blankets and get ready to embrace crisp spring days! Our list of the best events and things-to-do in Paris will keep you occupied all month.

Pound the pavements of Paris!

Ready to test your New Year’s resolution to get fit? The Fitbit Paris half-marathon attracts around 40 000 applications, including 4000 foreigners. If you’re a runner already, what better way to see the city than to join the throng of like-minded people and follow the 21.1km course past some of the sights of Paris.

Starting at Esplanade du Château de Vincennes you’ll head into the 12^th arrondissement before hitting the Place de la Nation, Place de la Bastille and Châtelet before receiving your finisher’s medal (hopefully!) at the Parc Floral.

Indulge in good food

Now in its 12^th year, the Omnivore World Tour 2017 kicks off in Paris in March. A trendy and modern food festival, this year promises to be as unconventional as ever. With its tag line of ‘100% jeune cuisine’ this festival represents a different side of French cooking – valuing innovation as well as tradition.

This year’s demonstrations from young artisan food producers includes the pâtissier-chocolatier, Sébastien Bouillet. You can also expect demonstrations by chefs such as newcomer Gaëtan Gentil from PraiRial restaurant and for the first time ever there will be a craft alcohol distillery.

Marvel at fashion history 

Fashion lover? An exhibition of the Spanish designer, Cristóbal Balenciaga’s work is opening at the Musée Bourdelle.

Known as “le maître” and “le couturier des couturiers” Balenciaga continually revolutionised the fashion world with his avant-garde designs throughout his 30 year career.

Titled ‘Balenciaga: l’oeuvre au noir’ (working in black) it will exhibit more than 100 items from the couturier’s archive.

The theme of black has been especially chosen to highlight the sculptural silhouettes that the designer pioneered.

Admire works of art

‘Au-delà des étoiles. Le paysage mystique de Monet à Kandinsky’ (‘Beyond the stars. Mystical landscapes from Monet to Kandinsky’) is an exhibition focusing on mysticism and its depictions in the Western art canon.

Focusing on landscape paintings, works by Gauguin, Denis, Hodler, Klimt, Munch and Van Gogh will be displayed, in an attempt to show the spiritual element of art that is found across different continents and religions.

Paris in March: the perfect time to see a ballet 

What could be better than watching a ballet in Paris in March?

In honour of George Balanchine, the famous ‘father of American ballet,’ Opéra de Bastille is performing ‘Songe d’une nuit d’été’ throughout March.

First choreographed in 1962, the ballet uses Balanchine’s traditional neo-classical style to tell the story of Shakespeare’s ‘A midsummer night’s dream’ alongside the music of Felix Mendelssohn. Dreamy!

Educate yourself through film

The annual international documentary film festival ‘Cinéma du Réel’ has been taking place in Paris in March since the 1970s. The festival showcases documentary films with a strong ethnographic or sociological angle.

This year’s line-up includes a full retrospective of recently-deceased Italian film director Andrea Tonacci, who documented the struggle of indigenous Amazonian tribes. There are also four competitive categories which award prizes to new films.

What do you like to do in Paris in March? Do you have any top tips for places to go and things to see? Share your recommendations with us in the comments!