Your Month Untapped: March Events in Paris

As we springtime arrives in Paris, events start to bloom as well, so here’s a list of events in Paris for the month of March.

EVENTS

Paris Fashion Week
Up to March 6, 2013
Fashion Week hits Paris until the March 6, so check out the Ready To Wear Fall/Winter Collection schedules. Whether you have front row seats at the runway shows or just watching the Fashion Week goers from the sidelines, Paris Fashion Week is always a thrilling experience, and a great opportunity to bask in the world of fashion.

Visit the Place de la Republique Construction Site
March 7 – June 1, 2013
The Place de la Republique has been undergoing a major reconstruction since 2011, and has therefore been a big headache and eyesore to  woeful Parisians as of late. But don’t be so irritated, because organized visits to the construction site will be taking place starting March 7th through June 1st! Only twenty people can visit the site on a first-come first-serve basis, and you can book your place by emailing infoplacedelarepublique@paris.fr your preferred dates (check out the program schedule here). The new Place de la Republique is set to be unveiled in the spring.

Le Printemps des Poètes
March 9 – 24, 2013
Love poetry? Then you’re in luck! The 15th edition of the Printemps des Poetes will take place in cafés, schools, and museums all over Paris. Expect a jam-packed schedule of debates, recitals and exhibitions from March 9 to 24. Check the website for the more information.

ART / EXHIBITS

Haute Couture
March 2 – July 16, 2013
Hotel de Ville de Paris
And in the spirit of Fashion Week, head over to the Hotel de Ville de Paris for the Haute Couture exhibit. Visit and admire over 100 dresses, photographs and drawings of everything haute couture-related – all for free at the building’s Salle Saint-Jean.

Le Mexique au Louvre
March 7 – June 7, 2013
Latin American art arrives in Paris at the Musée du Louvre this month. Discover the masterpieces from the 17th and 18th centuries, with notable works from José Juarez, Cristobal Villalpando and Rodriguez Juarez on display until June 7th.

Eugène Boudin at the Musée Jacquemart-André
March 22-July 22, 2013
A retrospective on Eugène Boudin (1824-1898) is one of 2013’s not-to-be-missed exhibits.  One of the first French artists to set up his easel outdoors to paint landscapes and seascapes, the collection will draw you in with his beautiful renditions of clouds, light and waves. The Musée Jacquemart-André will be featuring sixty of the artist’s paintings, watercolors and drawings from March 22 to July 22, 2013.

FAIRS

Salon du Livre
March 22 – 25, 2013
Booklovers will rejoice to know that the most important book salon will be in Paris this month! To be held at the Porte de Versailles, the salon recognizes the city of Barcelona and its literary and cultural influences as this year’s guest of honor.

MUSIC / FESTIVALS

Festival Pigalle
March 21 – 23, 2013
Pigalle is nitty and gritty, but man it knows how to party! The Festival Pigalle offers an unforgettable 3-day experience packed with film showings, clubbing, concerts, exhibitions and performances. It’ll be worth making a tour of this historic and culturally rich area. Get your power drinks ready, you’ll be up all night!

Flaming Lips at the Festival Villette Sonique
March 24, 2013
La Grande Halle de la Villette, 75019
Brilliant, bizarre, off-kilter: The Flaming Lips are best seen live (they are known for their concerts which feature gigantic hands with lasers shooting from its palms, and lead singer Wayne Coyne rolling over the audience in a huge plastic bubble), so it’s best to get online and buy tickets to their March 24 concert at the Grande Halle de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement. They were named one of the “50 Bands To See Before You Die” by Q Magazine back in 2002. It’s 2013, and they still hold that title.

CINEMA

Le Printemps du Cinema
March 17 – 19, 2013
For three days, going to the movies won’t need you to cost you an arm and a leg: the 14th edition of Le Printemps du Cinema is a national event that lets you see all the films you want for only 3,50€ a film! Get your popcorn buckets ready and head over to their website for the film schedules.