{"id":1121,"date":"2026-03-02T16:01:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frenchrivieratraveller.com\/blog\/?p=1121"},"modified":"2026-03-03T14:57:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T14:57:37","slug":"whats-on-march-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frenchrivieratraveller.com\/blog\/whats-on-march-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s On March 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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.<\/p>\n

NICE<\/h2>\n

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Chamber music in the Opera House Foyer<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Foyer<\/p>\n

March 9 12:15pm<\/h4>\n

This season, the Nice Opera House continues its programs with the musicians of the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy an hour of music celebrating <\/span>Beethoven and\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Mendelssohn<\/span><\/strong> . Tickets are \u20ac12<\/span><\/p>\n

Reserve at\u00a0Op\u00e9ra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cafe Jazz in the Opera House Foyer<\/h3>\n

Nice Opera March 21 11am<\/h4>\n

Why not enjoy a musical interlude before lunch? This jazz program features students at the Nice Conservatory. Tickets are \u20ac12.<\/p>\n

Reserve at\u00a0Op\u00e9ra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Don Pasquale<\/h3>\n

Nice Opera March 11, 13, 15 (3pm), 17 8pm<\/h4>\n

Donizetti’s final comic opera is reinterpreted and modernized by Tim Sheader. Inspired by the world of TV series Don Pasquale becomes a powerful business executive with illusions of youthfulness. The show is in Italian, with French and English surtitles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reserve at Op\u00e9ra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Apr\u00e8s La Pluie<\/h3>\n

Nice Opera March 28- April 5<\/h4>\n

This ballet program brings together two modern works that address the human condition from two opposing poles: one marked by loss, the other by awakening. <\/span>Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven by Ulysses Dove <\/span><\/em>\u00a0turns inward, while\u00a0<\/span>Petrichor by Pontus Lidberg <\/span><\/em>\u00a0opens outward, toward life, desire, and connection. Reserve at Op\u00e9ra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ensemble Decouvertes<\/h3>\n

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Auditorium of the Marc Chagall National Museum March 20 8pm (Duration: ~1 hour)<\/h4>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Ensemble D\u00e9couvertes<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0, a group originating from the\u00a0<\/span>Nice Philharmonic Orchestra<\/span><\/strong> , invites the public to explore contemporary music. Before each piece, conductor L\u00e9o Warynski, a leading specialist in the contemporary repertoire, introduces, explains, and contextualizes the work. These programs are an invitation to discovery and a sensory awakening in the intimate setting of the Chagall Museum auditorium, a tribute to an artist whose profound connection to music is well known. This program features John Adams, \u00a0Anna Thorvaldsdottir and Bruno Mantovani. Tickets are \u20ac10-20. Reserve at Op\u00e9ra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Holy Trinity Church March 3 12.30pm<\/h4>\n

Take a midweek 45-minute musical pause with Margaret MacDuffie on the violin and Gerard Jordan on the piano. The concerts are monthly on the first Tuesday (except August and September). This month will feature works by Bach. Admission is free but donations are appreciated with the proceeds going towards the maintenance of the church organ.<\/p>\n

Afterwork: Songs and canzioni, from Spain to Italy<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cave Bianchi March 18, 19 6pm<\/h4>\n

The historic wine cellars of Cave Bianchi in Vieux Nice presents an hour of song featuring Nice Opera singers followed by a glass of wine. Tickets are \u20ac20. Reserve at Op\u00e9ra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Author Events<\/h3>\n

Mass\u00e9na Around the World March 14 5-7pm<\/h4>\n

Nice’s only English -language bookstore hosts regular Saturday book readings and discussions on local and French subjects. Carolyn Boyd is the featured author on Saturday 14th of March to sign copies of her book Amuse Bouche – How to Eat Your Way Around France<\/em>, in which she shares the stories behind the country’s most fascinating foods and ingredients. Look for Dr Paul T. M. Jackson on\u00a0 March 21 discussing his latest work, a translation of Acte<\/em>\u00a0 and Janet Skeslien Charles on March 27 at La Librairie Mass\u00e9na presenting her historical novels.<\/p>\n

Festival of Italian Cinema<\/h3>\n

Espace Magnan March 14-28<\/h4>\n

This annual festival presents 16 films in original version with French subtitles, 9 films never before seen in France, including 2 premieres. All films are in the original version with French subtitles. Tickets are \u20ac8. Advance reservation is advisable. See the program at www.espacemagnan.com\/cinemaitalien<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to cinema, there will be an Italian food market Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22<\/p>\n

Cougourdon Festival<\/h3>\n

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Jardin des Ar\u00e8nes de Cimiez\u00a0 March 29 10am – 6pm<\/h4>\n

The Cougourdon Festival in Nice celebrates the arrival of spring. Originating from a 19th-century market, the festival showcases cougourdons<\/em> (gourds) transformed into various items. The event includes music, dance, folklore, and Ni\u00e7oise 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:<\/p>\n