What To Do in France in March

Spring is on the way and this year, March marks the beginning of the Impressionism festivities with plenty of one-off events and ground-breaking exhibitions taking place across the country. Here is France Today’s selection of what’s on in France in March 2024.

Théodore Rousseau exhibition, Petit Palais, Paris – 5 March – 7 July

The Petit Palais is hosting a major exhibition dedicated to the illustrious painter Théodore Rousseau (1812-1867), for whom nature was at the same time his faith, his universe and his refuge. An eminent leader of the artistic community revolving around the village of Barbizon and the forest of Fontainebleau, Rousseau immersed himself solitary in the forest for long hours, capturing sketches from life before bringing his final works to fruition in his studio. This exhibition thus offers a captivating dive into Rousseau’s artistic journey, revealing the depth of his connection with nature and illustrating the unique creative process that characterized his work.

Like this? You might enjoy this story: Picture-Perfect: the Artistic Influence of the Riverside Villages around Fontainebleau

Ingres et Delacroix: Objets d’Artistes, Delacroix museum, Paris – March 20 – June 10

The Delacroix museum in Paris will be reopening after renovation works on March 20, 2024 with a new, unique exhibition “Ingres and Delacroix. Artist’s objects.” Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres and Eugène Delacroix embody, perhaps unknowingly, a pivotal moment in the artistic history of the first half of the 19th century, marked by the battle between Neoclassicism and Romanticism.

Normandy Impressionist Festival – March 22 – September 22

The 2024 edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival goes all out to mark the 150th anniversary of one of the best-loved art movements the world has ever seen.

See the blockbuster events of the festival.

Find our more about the anniversary.

The International Cheese and Wine Fair, Seine-et-Marne – March 22-25

This food and wine fair has been held every year at the end of March in Coulommiers since 1967. This agricultural fair highlights regional cheese and wine specialties. Around 350 exhibitors and food artisans set up shop in front of the sugar factory for this occasion. More than 60,000 gourmets come to enjoy the four days of festivals, with tastings of local products and activities of all kinds.

Paris Brûle-t-Il? exhibition, Musée de la Libération, Paris – March 27 – September 2024

Around the emblematic scenes of the film “Is Paris Burning?”, visitors will delve into the history of the Liberation of Paris, set in the political context of the 1960s. They will have the opportunity to explore a variety of documents and archives of the René Clément Foundation, such as storyboards, notes, sketches, as well as photographs and reports on the filming.

Kite Festival, Charente-Maritime – March 30 – April 1

The Châtelaillon-Plage resort opens the summer season with its Kite and Wind Festival: 3 days of windy shows for the whole family on the main beach. Among the unmissable events that make this festival famous, we can cite free flight, Rokkaku fights, night flight and the creation competition.