March 5
Paris Half Marathon
Soak up the atmosphere at the Sémi-marathon de Paris, ending at the Place de la Bastille.
La Villette, Paris
Through March 3
A barnyard in Paris
The Salon International de l’Agriculture brings the best of the country’s livestock and crops – and the products made from them – to Paris. Pictured: Oreillette, the pinup cow for this year’s salon, a proud example of the Normand breed.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
March 3
The Carnaval des Femmes brings back to life the historic Fête des Blanchisseuses, a costumed parade first organized by Paris’s laundresses. Starts (3pm) and ends at the Place du Châtelet after parading through the Marais.
Place du Châtelet, Paris
Through March 5
Kiddie cinema
Tout-Petits Cinéma screens films for children aged 18 months to four years and holds interactive workshops for them.
Forum des Images, Paris
March 6–10
Contemporary French literature
The festival Effractions brings social scientists together to analyze texts on such topics as migration, mourning and the environment from the point of view of their expertise.
BPI, Centre Pompidou, Paris
March 9-11
Specialty coffee festival
Paris’s bustling coffee scene is celebrated at the Paris Café Festival.
Carreau du Temple, Paris
March 16
Racing in nature
Eco-Trail offers a variety of eco-responsible races, from 80K trail to 10K Nordic walking.
Paris and suburbs
March 8-17
Antique fair in a bucolic setting
A visit to the Foire de Chatou antique market and regional products fair makes a great weekend outing.
Chatou, Île-de-France
March 14-17
Eclectic Music Fest
The Paris Music Festival presents an eclectic program of concerts in unusual venues, including Boris Vian’s apartment and the Cité de l’Architecture.
Various locations, Paris
March 23
Shopping for a good cause
Toutocoto is an annual flea market with 600 vendors whose profits go to charities and schools.
Avenue de Longchamp, Saint Cloud
March 24
Servers on the run
Normally, it’s hard to get a Parisian server to hurry, but not during the newly revived Course des Cafés (formerly the Course des Garçons de Café). This year, 200 servers will participate in the race. They must run 2 kilometers and cross the finish line carrying a tray holding a still-intact cup of coffee, a glass of water and a croissant. Pictured: The 1941 race passes by the Opéra de Paris.
Hôtel de Ville, Paris
March 20-24
Emerging artists
The Chorus Festival presents a wide-ranging list of up-and-coming performers in concert, including previous winners of its Prix Chorus.
La Seine Musicale, Paris
March 30
Mass dictation
Test your knowledge of written French at the Grande Dictée du Sport. Open to everyone. Free admission. Reserve online.
La Sorbonne, Paris
Through March 31
Half off your meal
One thousand restaurants in Paris and around France, some with Michelin stars, offer special meals at a 50 percent reduction for the Festival TheFork
Various locations, France
April 20
Free stuff exchange
Help save the environment by recycling stuff at the Giant Free Troc Party swap event. Online registration (required) opens on April 16 at noon.
Académie du Climat, Paris
Through June 2
Indoor/outdoor street art
The Colors festival invites street artists to decorate an abandoned house, this one in a Paris suburb. Reserve online.
37, ave. Roger Salengro, Champigny-sur-Marne
June 2-7
Literary lessons
This year’s weeklong Paris Writers Workshop will feature masterclasses and more led by Lan Samantha Chang (director of the Iowa Writers Workshop), Jennifer Lauck, Kevin Brockmeier, Diane Lake, Heather Hartley and Don George. Early-bird registration is now open.
Reid Hall, Paris
March 20-June 21
Drawing season
Le Printemps du Dessin presents exhibitions and workshops highlighting this accessible art form across the country.