Now that Carnival season has ended with festivals around the Riviera, the cultural season begins in earnest with several outstanding musical, dance and film events. The month also offers several opportunities to participate in fun local festivals.

NICE

Around Clara Schumann Concert

Auditorium of the Marc Chagall National Museum March 3 7pm (Duration: ~1 hour)

Enjoy an evening of chamber music performed by musicians of the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Vincent Monteil. This concert, a collaboration between the Opéra de Nice and the National Museums of the XXe century of the Alpes-Maritimes, will take place in the stunning setting of the Marc Chagall National Museum. The program features works by Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, and Alban Berg, performed by Maki Belkin (piano), V?ra Nováková (violin), and Thierry Amadi (cello).

Reserve at Opéra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online.

Thomas Delor Trio

Chez Manu March 8 7pm

Jazz drummer Thomas Delor is Nice-born and plays regularly throughout the region. At Chez Manu you can hear him for free! (Although it’s customary to leave money in a hat after the set). Nice’s only jazz joint is super-casual and super-crowded. Get there well before 7 and enjoy a drink at a table while you wait.

Festival of Italian Cinema

Espace Magnan March 15-29

This annual festival presents 16 films in original version with French subtitles, 11 films never before seen in France, including 2 premieres. All films are in the original version with French subtitles. Tickets are €8 and there will be 20 seats available for purchase 45 minutes before each screening. See the program at www.espacemagnan.com/cinemaitalien

Cinéma Sans Frontières

Cinema Jean-Paul Belmondo February 28 to March 8

Lovers of the 7th Art are spoiled for choice here in Nice. The annual Cinema Without Borders Festival showcases the best art house cinema from around the world. Highlights include Tarkovsky’s Stalker, Atanarjuat from Canada, All We Imagine as Light from India and the award-winning Eternity and a Day from Greece. Reservations are rarely necessary. See the full program at cinemasansfrontieres.fr/

Cougourdon Festival

Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez  March 30 10am – 6pm

The Cougourdon Festival in Nice celebrates the arrival of spring. Originating from a 19th-century market, the festival showcases cougourdons (gourds) transformed into various items. The event includes music, dance, folklore, and Niçoise specialties. A recycled art project allows participants to create cougourdon-shaped keychains from recycled plastic. It’s a fun local festival and an opportunity to take part in local culture. Here’s the program of activities:

• 13h : Les désaccordés au Kazou – Chorale
• 14h15 : La Ciamada Nissarda – Folk dancing
• 15h : Championnat du monde de Petadou animé par Richard Cairaschi
• 15h45 : Nice la Belle – Folk dancing
• 16h30 : Lou cairèu niçart – Folk dancing
• 17h : Mai qu’Aco – Balèti

Swan Lake

Palais Nikaia March 14 8pm

Tchaikovsky’s magical Swan Lake is presented by the International Festival Ballet composed of Russian and Ukranian dancers. Sets are by the designer Vjatscheslav Okunev, who works for the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan. The ballet is accompanied by a live orchestra. For info and booking see www.nikaia.fr/programmation/le-lac-des-cygnes-5

Also on the March schedule is Carmen, Bootleg Beatles, Irish Dance and more. Details at www.nikaia.fr/

CANNES

Gustav Mahler Concert

Palais des Festivals Saturday, March 22 8:00pm

The Orchestre National de Cannes, conducted by Benjamin Levy, will present a program dedicated to Gustav Mahler. The performance features baritone Stéphane Degout and musicians from the Institut d’Études Supérieures de la Musique (IESM) in Aix-en-Provence.

Program:

• Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer) for baritone and orchestra
• Urlicht (Primeval Light) from Des Knaben Wunderhorn
• Symphony No. 1 in D major, “Titan”

Reservations are available through the Orchestre National de Cannes. For more information, call 04 93 48 61 10 or visit their website.

GOLFE JUAN

Napoleon Days

Old Port March 1-2

On March 1, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte made history by landing in Golfe-Juan, thus beginning his epic of the Hundred Days. In 2025, Vallauris Golfe-Juan celebrates this major event with an exceptional program of historical re-enactments and immersive animations. For a detailed program see vallauris-golfe-juan.fr/agenda/32835/18963-napoleon-a-golfe-juan.htm

MONACO

Printemps des Arts

The Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo is an annual music festival held in Monaco, celebrating a diverse range of musical genres and artists. The 2025 edition is scheduled from March 2 to April 27, 2025, and will pay tribute to the centenary of composer Pierre Boulez, a pivotal figure in contemporary music. The festival will feature concerts, screenings, and performances exploring Boulez’s innovative work and global influence. Additionally, there will be a focus on the artistic connection between Boulez and painter Francis Bacon, highlighting the interplay between music and visual art. The festival will also include a program dedicated to Maurice Ravel, featuring his two piano concertos performed by Nelson Goerner. Worried about getting back and forth from Monaco? I don’t blame you. There’s a shuttle from Nice for only €5 return. For more information and to view the full program, visit the official festival website: https://www.printempsdesarts.mc/.