Good Friday, 29th March is a local holiday, recognised in Alsace and Moselle, but not the rest of France.
Aquitaine, Bayonne Ham Fair – 28- 31 March. In the market place, in front of the Market Hall, by the Nive riverside. For more than five centuries, the Bayonne Ham Fair has been the rendez-vous of conviviality and exchanges. It is a festival for the gourmets and always in the tradition of authentic regional produce, there’s also an omelette and ham competition.
Cannes Shopping Festival 29-31 March – Cannes makes you think glitz and glamour so what better place for a spot of targeted shopping? Clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories can all be bought at discounted prices. Street entertainment, parades, promosions and cat walk shows. http://www.cannesshoppingfestival.com/
Nuits-Saint-Georges – Wine Auction – set in the spectacular Château de Clos de Vougeot you can bid for your favourite wines. http://www.ot-nuits-st-georges.fr/fr/
Limousin – Limoges – Puces de la Cité – a very lively market with over 100 antique dealers every 2nd Sunday of the month www.tourismelimoges.com
Midi-Pyrénées, Aveyron – La Trace du Fromage 17th March, you’ll need to book in advance for this one – the amazing cheese tasting event . http://www.haut-rouergue-tourisme.fr
Gers – Le saint Mont, vignoble en fête – Winegrowers demonstrate their knowledge and products to visitors annual festival, last weekend of March. www.gers-tourisme.com
Calais – 8-10th March, Calais Wine and Food Fair, a fabulous event with more than 60 wine producers from all over France and top chefs from the region.
Nord-Pas de Calais – Le Touquet Car Rally, 14-16 march, crazy car rally through the countryside and along the coast of Pas de Calais,over 150 rally drivers converge on the lively seaside resort of Le Touquet for this one . www.letouquet.com
Nord-Pas de Calais, near Cambrai, 14-18 March – International Orchid Festival in stunning surroundings in an ancient abbey – just gorgeous.
Nord-Pas de Calais, Lille – Salon du Chocolat. 1-3 March, three days of chocolate madness – more than 70 exhibitors, chocolatiers, pastry chefs, a chocolate fashion show – what more can you ask?!
Paris – Seine-Saint-Denis Banlieues Bleues – Each March to April jazz, blues and world music in 16 towns all over Paris. Awaiting details.
Provence – Alpes Maritime, Fete of the Violets. The whole village smells of violets, there are farmers markets, and a violet parade with a battle of the flowers! Held annually first weekend in March. http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/traditions-provence.htm
Côte-D’Azur- Nice – Les Printemps des Poètes, 8th March. The citizens of Nice go poetry potty in March and this annual festival sees and hears recitals over a two week period in bars, theatres, clubs and cafés all over town. http://www.printempsdespoetes.com/
Please note: We check every website for dates and details personally but changes do happen from time to time – please check website for confirmation.
