What to do in the PACA region in March?

In brief

• Almond trees in blossom herald spring in Provence
• The sun is gaining ground: ideal for coastal hiking
• The Fête des violettes (Violet Festival) in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, in early March
• Spring skiing in the Southern Alps
• The Paris-Nice cycle race finishes on the Côte d’Azur
• In some years, Easter falls as early as the end of the month

The weather in March

March marks a real turning point. According to the Météo-France 1991-2020 normals, Marseille (Marignane station) rises to an average of 16.4 °C in the afternoon, with 6.5 °C in the early morning. Sunshine reaches around 235 hours over the month, some sixty more than in February. In Nice, the average is 15.4 °C by day and 8.3 °C at night, with some 218 hours of sunshine.

The mountains are still in winter, especially at altitude. In Embrun (873 m), the normals show 13.3 °C in the afternoon but only 1.1 °C at night. The resorts then enjoy long, sunny days: it’s spring skiing season. In Provence, the mistral can still blow hard and make it feel much colder. The sea remains cold: swimming will have to wait.

March festivals and traditions

The Fête des violettes. In Tourrettes-sur-Loup, in the hills behind Vence, the “city of violets” celebrates its flower on the first weekend of March, sometimes straddling the end of February. Created in 1952, the festival marks the end of the season for the growers. A flower parade and a flower battle liven up the village.

The last winter festivals. Depending on the year, the Carnaval de Nice and the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) in Menton run on into the first days of March. Check the calendar if you are travelling at the start of the month.

Easter, a moveable feast. Easter falls between 22 March and 25 April. In some years, the festival and its Monday public holiday therefore arrive as early as late March, along with the traditions that go with it in the villages. Check that year’s calendar before planning a stay around this date.

The month’s major events

Paris-Nice. Nicknamed the “Race to the Sun”, this cycle race is held in the first half of March. Starting in northern France, it traditionally finishes in the Alpes-Maritimes, in Nice or on the heights of the Col d’Èze. The roads above Èze then offer a fine spectacle for cycling fans.

The Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence. This classical music Easter Festival is held every year around Easter, mainly at the Grand Théâtre de Provence. When Easter is early, it begins as early as late March. Aix-en-Provence is perfect for a weekend of concerts and strolling along the cours Mirabeau.

The end of the truffle season. The Carpentras truffle market is held on Friday mornings until the end of March, according to the regional tourism board. It’s the last chance of the winter to enjoy it.

Where to go in March

Following the almond blossom. Almond trees bloom between the end of winter and the start of spring, and March is the key month according to the regional tourism board. The blossom lasts only a few weeks and comes earlier after a mild winter. On the Valensole plateau, around 20,000 almond trees now grow, thanks to a revival of the crop launched some twenty years ago. You can also see them around Puyricard, near Aix, in the Comtat plain at the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the Var countryside towards Puget-Ville and Carnoules, or at the conservation orchard in Apt. The Alpilles, around Les Baux-de-Provence, also offer lovely scenes.

In the calanques. Before the heat and the crowds, the Calanques National Park can be explored on foot in good conditions. From Cassis, the trails lead to the best-known coves. Further west, on the Côte Bleue, the customs officers’ path from Niolon to La Redonne runs along the sea above the calanques.

On the Var coast. The Îles d’Hyères are calm out of season and lend themselves to exploring on foot or by bike. From Le Lavandou, the coastal path to the Plage de la Fossette makes a lovely first spring outing.

In the Luberon. The ochres of the Colorado provençal in Rustrel, near Apt, are pleasant to walk in mild weather, far from the intense heat of summer.

In the mountains. The resorts of the Southern Alps stay open for much of the month. Spring snow, sunny terraces and quieter slopes after the winter holidays: March is a good compromise.

Ideas for days out

When the sun is out. A seaside hike, a picnic under the almond trees, a day on an island: March is the month of the first outdoor outings. Set off early, as the days stay cool in the late afternoon.

With the family. The flower battle in Tourrettes-sur-Loup is great fun for children. Short coastal paths, such as the one to La Fossette, suit little legs.

When the weather is bad. The museums of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, or the monuments of Avignon, help pass the time when a spring shower or a blast of mistral spoils the day.

What to eat in March

It’s the end of the black truffle season. The almonds aren’t here yet: fresh green almonds (amandons) are only sold at the markets, from Manosque to Aix, from the end of spring. In the meantime, almonds can be tasted in local sweets, such as the calisson d’Aix or nougat.

Good to know

• Public holidays: none in a normal year; Easter Monday in some years.
• School holidays: in zone B (the Aix-Marseille and Nice education authorities), the winter holidays sometimes end at the start of the month.
• Clocks change: summer time begins on the night of the last Saturday to the last Sunday in March. The evenings suddenly get longer.
• Winter equipment: until 31 March, winter tyres or chains (or snow socks) remain compulsory in the mountain municipalities designated by the prefects.
• Forest areas: regulated access to the forest massifs of the Bouches-du-Rhône only applies from 1 June to 30 September. In spring, the trails are open, but caution with fire is still essential, especially when the mistral blows.