What to do in Paris in March and April 2021
Springtime returns to Paris in March and April, bringing a wealth of events with it.
Due to current events, exceptional measures have been introduced to combat the spread of the coronavirus over the following days. Cultural venues (museums, monuments, theatres and concert halls, cabarets and cinemas) are temporarily closed and events scheduled in Paris are cancelled or postponed to a future date.
Springtime returns to Paris in March and April, bringing a wealth of events with it. There will be new exhibitions, activities for children and large-scale popular events. Here is our list of not-to-miss events!
2021 – Napoleon year in Paris
There will be special events to celebrate Napoleon throughout the year, particularly from March to April 2021. From 31 March 2021 to 30 January 2022 the Musée de l’Armée - Hôtel National des Invalides, presents the exhibition Napoléon n’est plus [‘Napoleon is no more’], which retraces the different themes linked to the death of the emperor. Then, from 7 May 2021, a different perspective is offered to visitors through the exhibition Napoleon? Encore! – As seen by contemporary artists.
In the north of Paris, the focus is also on the emperor in the exhibition ‘Napoleon’, which runs from 14 April to 19 September at the Grande Halle de la Villette. An immersive layout highlights more than 150 original pieces emblematic of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Empire style that left its imprint on the decorative arts.
More information and events for the 2021 Napoleon season.
SPORTING EVENTS IN PARIS IN MARCH - APRIL 2021
Running à Paris
With the arrival of spring, sport is in the spotlight in Paris.
All runners will be getting together at the Running trade show renamed Run Experience, to be held (from 7 to 10 April 2021) at Paris expo Porte de Versailles. Attracting around 90,000 visitors, it is the largest event dedicated to a sporting discipline in France!
Equestrian or motor sports, rugby, martial arts, fitness …
In spring, the Dimanches au Galop event, which introduces youngsters to the world of horse racing, is held at the Auteuil and Paris Longchamp racecourses on several Sundays over a period of nearly two months (from 4 April to 30 May 2021).
A must-see event for rugby fans, the closing match of the VI Nations Tournament: France / Wales (March 20, 2021) takes place at the Stade de France for an ultimate match not to be missed.
After being cancelled in June 2020, the 35th festival of Martial Arts is due to be held on 3 April 2021 at the AccorArena. On the programme: Demonstrations and matches in different disciplines.
For the last 5 years, the E-Prix de Paris, the 100% electric car race over 1.9 km around Invalides, has taken place in April (date to be confirmed). From 12 to 14 March 2021, fitness will be the focus at Porte de Versailles. Talks, equipment, trends ... professionals and amateurs gather at this event.
EXHIBITIONS IN PARIS IN MARCH - APRIL 2021
In March and April, new exhibitions take over places of art and history in Paris.
En mars et avril, de nouvelles expositions investissent les lieux d’art et d’histoire de Paris.
Two much -awaited new exhibitions get underway at the beginning of March: a Paul Signac retrospective at the Musée Jacquemart-André (from 5 March to 19 July 2021) and women painters at the Musée du Luxembourg (from 3 March to 4 July 2021).
And for those who have not yet had the chance to catch the exhibition Victor Hugo, La Liberté (organized on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of the writer's funeral), there is still time as it runs until 31st of March at the Panthéon.
ARTY EVENTS FROM MARCH - APRIL 2021 IN PARIS
From 1 to 9 March 2021, ready-to-wear Fashion Week makes its big comeback. Top brands like Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Balmain present their new autumn-winter collections 2021-2022.
From 6 March and until 2 May 2021, the Centquatre opens a new edition of Circulation(s), the Festival of young European photography.
The programme includes exhibitions, round table discussions and screenings – and, what’s more, a pop-up photography studio at the weekend, where you can have your portraits taken by professional photographers !
Another big art-related event in March is the Semaine du dessin, when many venues in Paris and Ile-de-France put the spotlight on drawing. Other not-to-miss event: Drawing Now Paris, the contemporary drawing show, at the Carreau du Temple (from 25 to 28 March 2021). Under the magnificent glass roof, some 70 galleries exhibit more than 2,000 works.
FOR CHILDREN IN MARCH - APRIL 2021
In April, there’s plenty to do in Paris with the kids during the school holidays.
Meanwhile, older visitors will enjoy visiting an exhibition titled Espions (Spies). Inspired by the French TV series Bureau des Légendes (The Bureau), the exhibition provides an immersive journey into the daily lives of secret service agents (until summer 2021) at la Cité des Sciences.
This year, Easter Sunday falls on 4th April, and there will be egg hunts for children in many different parts of the French capital. Bring your baskets!
For more information, see our ‘Easter in Paris’ section
FUNFAIR, FAIRS AND MAJOR EVENTS IN PARIS IN MARCH AND APRIL 2021
Funfair, trade shows and fairs
Springtime is funfair season, and children in Paris look forward in particular to the Foire du Trône, which will be back on the Pelouse de Reuilly. Considered the biggest fair in all of Europe, it has attractions galore, and plenty of surprises in store.
Everyone with a tattoo and others are invited to discover the best artists in the business at the Paris Tattoo Convention at the Grande Halle de La Villette the dates for which have not yet been released.
Every year, the European Artistic Craft Days showcase artists and artisans in Paris and the Ile de France region. After being cancelled in 2020, they are reworking the theme of Materials from 6 to 11 April 2021. Artisans, training organizations, project leaders … All the expertise will be on show at meetings, open days and conferences.
For some savvy shopping, head to the Foire de Paris (from 29 April to 10 May 2021). If the health situation permits, exhibitors and visitors will be at the Paris – Expo Porte de Versailles, Europe’s leading trade show! Discoveries and innovations from the world of the home, craftsmanship and gastronomy are always on the agenda. Not to miss, the Concours Lépine an annual award for the best in innovation.
Festivals in Paris
Springtime in Paris is also a time for festivals, with themes ranging from music and art to food ... you choose !
Have you missed going to see a movie in 2020? In March, movie lovers can take advantage of a new edition of the Printemps du cinéma to see a film: for three whole days, you can buy a ticket for any show of any movie at any cinema for just 4 euros (dates have not yet been released)!
From 25 March to 18 April 2021, the multi-disciplinary festival 100 %, mixing theatre, dance, circus arts, music and contemporary art, will be back at La Villette.
Du 25 mars au 18 avril 2021, c’est au tour de 100 %, un festival pluridisciplinaire, mélangeant théâtre, danse, cirque, musique et art contemporain, de faire son retour à La Villette.
