What Happens in France in March: Events, Festivals & Key Dates

The month’s events begin on the 3^rd with the “Fete des Mamies”, which is Grandmother’s Day. School children make gifts and cards, and buy flowers or chocolates to give to loving Grandma’s all over France.

Mulhouse Carnival

Mulhouse’s Annual Carnival runs from the 4^th to the 6^th of March, including a parade, live music, and an all-round party atmosphere throughout the city. The same weekend, we also see the Goose Festival in Sarlat, which opens in the main square. Culinary workshops, foie gras tastings and artisanal poultry produce are all on offer, along with geese-herding through the town’s streets.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day on March 8th is always accompanied a variety of posts on social media celebrating women’s achievements. For example, Lecat Cognac, here in St.Fraigne, Charente, celebrated their all-female management team on Facebook. Usually hidden behind the camera, the Commercial Director, Emily and owner, Helene celebrated their achievements and that of this local family business.

From March 10th, it’s Monaco’s Arts Festival and the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Ballet, and Zurich Orchestra will all be there. You can hear the great composers’ works performed at various venues all over the city and attend the many conferences on offer.

Annecy Venetian Festival

11-13^th March sees Annecy’s Venetian Festival with many activities on the canal waterways and see the famous Harlequin figures too.

National Cancer Awareness Week

March 14th starts France’s National Cancer Awareness Week, and you’ll likely see many sponsored events organised in your local region. Here in the Charente, sponsored walks or “rando” are held in the countryside, and tulips grown in the fields near Rouillac are hand-picked by volunteers from the Lions Club Rouillac in aid of cancer Research.

March 17th is Saint Patrick’s Day, which is also celebrated in France, especially in Irish pubs and bars. Here, in our Commune of Mons, there is a ‘Chou-croute’ and beer festival hosted by the Mons Football Team in our Salle des Fetes. Slightly further afield in Angouleme, there is “The Kennedy” Irish pub, which celebrates with live music and Guinness.

Local Events

March 20th is Macaron day in France and I’ll be celebrating by buying some Macarons from our local expert pâtissier, Nico Bichon, from BSweet in the market town of Aigre.

Mansle Rotary Club hosts its annual Salon des Vins on the weekend of the 23^rd and 24^th March 2024, which this year raises funds for Neurological illnesses. An exquisite evening meal is offered by highly renowned local caterer Stephane Dumont.

Happy Easter!

Finally, the month ends with Easter weekend, but don’t expect the Easter bunny here in France. Instead, legend has it that the church bells fly off to Rome and come back announcing Christ’s resurrection, laden with chocolate eggs!

Let us know in the comments what we’ve missed!