The last time I wrote a list for the month of March I didn’t know that just a few days later the world would collapse and going to events would look like a distant dream. But here we are in March 2022 and finally, we can smell some sense of normalcy with many fun festivals and concerts. I really hope that the weather will improve soon because it’s a shame to waste such a busy month on rainy days at home. Those who have been following me for a while know that I got you covered for rainy days as well, just take a look at my long list of things to do in Bordeaux when it’s raining. And just in case it’ll suddenly become hot, here’s a list of some of the best beaches around Bordeaux.
If it’s your first time in Bordeaux I recommend reading my article about the best things to do in Bordeaux and about the best districts in Bordeaux in case you’re still looking for accommodation. If you need day trips ideas, check my article about day trips from Bordeaux. Also don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to get all the updates about the best events in the region directly to your mail.
Now let’s start with my list of things to do in Bordeaux in March 2022.
Festivals, Fairs and Brocantes in Bordeaux
Carnaval des 2 rives
Le Carnaval des 2 rives (March 6) takes place on both sides of the Garonne river. This is a modern festival (created in 1996) that has all the best features of a traditional carnival such as costumes, shows, and a big parade. The parade will start at 14:00 at the Allée Serr, on the right side of the river and will pass to the other side through Pont de Pierre ending at the Village Carnival at Place Pey-Berland at 16:00. The Village Carnaval will be open until 18:00. For more details click here.
When: March 6 / Where: Starts at Allée Serr, Bastide, Bordeaux
Grand Salon Habitat De Bordeaux
The big habitat fair will take place for the first time in Bordeaux on March 4-6. The salon will include a huge variety of stands and professionals specializing in construction, house renovation, interior design, and more. The event will take place at Hall 3 of le Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux – Hall 3. For more details click here.
When: March 4-6 / Where: Cours Jules Ladoumègue, 33000 Bordeaux
Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants de Bordeaux
The Salon des Vins of the Bordeaux independent winemakers will take place on March 11-13 at the Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux. Wine producers from the region will present their wines and will invite you to a free taste. This event is not geared towards professionals but rather to all wine lovers. For more info click here.
When: March 11-13 / Where: Cours Jules Ladoumègue, 33000 Bordeaux
Salon du Vintage
The annual vintage salon will take place in Hangar 14 (Quai des Chartrons) on March 12-13. This chic event will gather more than 150 exhibitors with a great selection of accessories, furniture, vinyl records, classic cars, jukebox, paintings, and more. Just outside of Hangar 14, plenty of food trucks will wait for you during lunch. For more details check the Facebook page and the website of the event.
When: March 12-13 / Where: 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux
Saint Patrick’s day
Saint Patrick’s day is always a good opportunity to get drunk from an Irish beer or whiskey while listening to good music. Although it’s not Dublin, there are quite a lot of Irish and English bars in Bordeaux. Most of them make a big Saint Patrick’s day celebration with music and a lot of drunk and happy people. Check out my list of Irish/English bars in Bordeaux and choose one for March 17!
The Italian Spring Festival
Le Printemps Italien is an Italian literature festival that will take place on March 16-20 in several locations around Bordeaux Metropole. The program includes meetings with Italian writers, screenings of Italian films, wine tastings and more. For the full program and tickets to events click here.
When: March 16-20 / Where: different locations around Bordeau
Salon de la littérature jeunesse
Arcachon will host the kids book Salon on March 11-13 at the Palais des Congrès d’Arcachon. The event will include plenty of activities for kids, such as storytelling and concerts. For more details click here.
When: March 11-13 / Where: Palais des Congrès d’Arcachon
Swing Art Festival
Every March, for more than a decade now, Bordeaux has been hosting the Swing Art Festival (March 25-27) where swing dancers come from all around the globe to teach the dancers of Bordeaux their art of Swinging. This festival is much more than just swing dancing, it’s three days of live music, art, vintage markets, workshops, and a get-together of many people from all around the world to celebrate this sweeping dance. It will take place in and around Halle des Chartrons and it’s Free! For more details click here.
When: March 25-27 / Where: 10 Place du Marché Chartrons, 33000
Les Fous Rires de Bordeaux
Les Fous Rires de Bordeaux (March 19-27) is a very unique humor festival hosting more than 80 artists and different activities taking place all over the city. The festival is an opportunity to experience humor in different forms, such as live on stage, in pictures, and even through cooking! See the full program here.
When: March 19-27 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux
The European short film festival
The 23d edition of the European Short Film festival (festival européen du court métrage de Bordeaux) will take place on March 24-25 at the UGC Ciné Cité Bordeaux. The festival includes a program of about thirty movies from all over the world and a jury of famous personalities from the French cinema industry, from actors to directors and screenwriters. For more info and tickets check out the website of the festival.
When: March 24-25 / Where: 13-15 rue Georges Bonnac, 33000 Bordeaux
Foire aux Plaisirs
This is the spring edition of the traditional Bordelaise Fair that is taking place at Place des Quinconces from March 4-27. It’s a perfect activity for kids and for those who are young in spirit as La Foire aux Plaisirs de Bordeaux has it all: a big wheel, roller coasters, ghost trains, bumper cars, donuts, crèpes, and more. The fair is open daily from 14:00, you are not required to pay any entry fee, only for some of the attractions. See more info about the fair here.
When: March 4-27 / Where: Place des Quinconces
Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d’Angoulême
The International comics festival of Angouleme is back this month! The festival will take place on March 17-20. For more details click here.
If you haven’t been to Angouleme yet, it’s not only one of the most interesting towns in this region but also the French capital of Comics and street art, with spectacular wall paintings all over the city. Read my article about Angouleme before going there.
When: March 17-20 / Where: 71 Rue Hergé, 16000 Angoulême
South Town Jazz Festival
The South Town Jazz festival is an annual festival taking place in Soustons, a charming beach town in the Landes department. The festival will take place on March 21-26. For more info and tickets click here.
When: March 21-26 / Where: Soustons
Exhibitions and concerts not to miss this month in Bordeaux
Go to a concert at Arkea Arena
Artists are finally starting to come back to Bordeaux, as we can clearly see in the program of Arkea Arena, one of the biggest concerts venues in Bordeaux. In March it will welcome international artists like Simple Minds and Assaf Avidan or French acts like Orelsan. See the full program here.
A free concert of the National Orchestra of Bordeaux
The National Orcestra of Bordeaux will give three free concerts at La Salle des Fêtes Bordeaux Grand Parc on March 3-4. To reserve your sits click here.
When: March 3-4 / Where: 39 Cr de Luze, 33300 Bordeaux
Venise, la Sérénissime – Les Bassins de Lumières
Les Bassins de Lumières is hosting a new exhibition and it’s very exciting! This time the exhibition is dedicated to the city of Venice and its cultural and architectural treasures. If you’ve been to the previous two exhibitions at the Bassins de Lumières you know that it’s an amazing experience and if you haven’t check out my video from the last exhibition. “Venise, la Sérénissime” will be presented from February 11 to January 2nd, get your tickets here.
When: February 11 – January 2nd / Where: Imp. Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux
Fragile at l’Institut Bernard Magrez
David Selor, one of Bordeaux’s most famous street artists, will present his new exhibition, by the name of “Fragile” at the Bernard Magrez art institute. The exhibition is taking place from January 12 to March 27. Read more about the exhibition and the artist here.
When: January 12 – March 27 / Where: 16 Rue de Tivoli, 33000 Bordeaux
Ouvrage in Pessac
Maison Municipale Frugès Le Corbusier in Pessac is hosting a free exhibition of three artists. The exhibition is free and is taking place from January 6 to April 30. Read about the artists here.
When: January 6- April 30 / Where: Rue Le Corbusier, 33600 Pessac
Is it your first time in Bordeaux? If it is you should definitely check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux to get familiar with all the must-see places in the city. To help you choose a hotel I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you find your preferred AirBnB location.
If you need more tips for things to do in the SW of France I invite you to join my Facebook group ” Travel in the South West of France“. Also, every Friday I send a newsletter with plenty of additional events you can enjoy during the weekend, so hurry up and subscribe to my email list now 🙂
You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:
