Saint Patrick's Day in Paris and What's On In France Monthly Guide
Another month has arrived and I wasn’t ready for it. The year races on. Excitement is in the air in France as hints of Spring arrive; cooler rather than colder days and a lazy drizzle instead of snow (fingers crossed).
Peak travel season still hasn’t hit and so March is an affordable time to head to France with reduced air-fairs and hotel specials. Want to know what’s happening in France in March? Read on to find out about Saint Patrick's Day in Paris, Literary Festivals, a Design Biennial, and an epic race up the Eiffel Tower!
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Verticale de la Tour Eiffel
The Verticale de la Tour Eiffel is a time trial tower running challenge. One hundred professional runners will compete to reach the top of the tower in the shortest time. This year the Verticale challenge falls on 13 March. Competitors have to climb 1,665 steps to reach the top. Once they reach the top they get to admire the view of Paris at night. It is a unique tower running event because it is ‘outside’ exposed to the elements.
Most tower running challenges take place in fire stair-wells. This tower run is a once in a lifetime experience for these elite runners. The Verticale de la Tour Eiffel is one event of the Tower Running Tour 2019 run by the Tower Running World Association. Crowds of tourists, spectators, and reporters surround the base of the Eiffel Tower as this niche sporting event takes place in March.
Saint Patrick's Day in Paris
March 17 is Saint Patrick's Day this year. Put on something green and head out to commemorate the patron saint this March. The Saint Patrick's Day parade begins at 1pm at the Irish Cultural Centre of Paris and will proceed around the 5th arrondissement before returning to the Irish Cultural Centre. You’ll find street theatre, circus performances, music, dance, food trucks, and face painting.
Last year the Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur, and Paris Disneyland were lit up green at night. A very unique sight!
Paris Book Fair
The Paris Book Fair or Livre Paris is an annual event and this internationally unique literary fair reflects the extraordinary richness and diversity of the world of publishing. This year the Book Fair is running between the 15 and 18 March. You can expect 1200 exhibitors, 45 countries represented, 800 conferences and events, and 3,000 autograph opportunities.
The Paris Book Fair creates specialised forums and stages for European writing, Crime Fiction, Young Adult, Manga and Comics, Children’s Literature, Religious and Cultural dialogue, Careers in books, science, and arts. At the various forums you’ll find book signings, seminars, illustration lessons, immersive experiences, and discussion sessions.
Whilst the fair celebrates world literature, the majority of the activities will be conducted in French. So go for the experience and immersion in a world of books if your French is not strong. Visit the Livre Paris website for more information.
Saint-Étienne Design Biennial
Principle curator, Lisa White, invites people from around the world to Saint-Étienne Design Biennial. Opening on 21 March, the International Design Biennial is a collaborative celebration of design, innovation, technology, and creativity that is moving society forward and addressing the major issues of 2019 and beyond.
This year designers from around the world will gather at the Biennial, unified by the theme: “Me You Nous”. Me, you, and us. Diversity and inclusion are key motifs of the 2019 Saint-Étienne Design Biennial. There will be exhibitions, seminars, workshops, performances, and conferences showcasing science, medicine, art, systems, machines, architecture, urban planning, philosophy, and much more.
Open from 21 March to 22 April this will be a life-changing event for all ages - be open to innovation, be challenged and be curious.
Quais du Polar
Every year Lyon hosts the Quais du Polar, a Crime Fiction Festival. In French ‘polar’ refers to crime fiction. The annual festival will be on 29 to 31 March. Celebrating crime fiction in print form and in film, the Quais du Polar is recognised around Europe as the key event of the genre.
The event looms large on the French and European literary cultural scene. At the 2019 International Quais du Polar you’ll find a choice of novels, graphic novels, and films to purchase, suspense quests in the streets of Lyon, exhibitions, games, book signings, and professional networking events.
“The festival is for all audiences: from bulimic crime fiction readers, amateur detectives, crime column fans and thrill-seeking moviegoers to curious passers-by, citizens well-informed in world affairs, party goers who love meeting people, and graphics and comic book enthusiasts… Whatever your age, whatever your gang, day and night, Quais du Polar is the place to be!”
Discover Lyon in March and learn why Lyon is the city of polar, film noir, and criminal anthropology.
To keep up to date with what's on in France each month subscribe to receive posts and newsletters. Plan your holidays around annual events in France by checking what's on in January and February.
Emily is a contributor to A French Collection and her work has been featured on numerous other blogs. She’s an avid traveller who’s explored more than 15 countries and when not writing travel related articles, she’s likely reading a classic novel or creating original fashion garments. Emily’s also the daughter of Annette (our editor) and has spent lots of time in France.
