Paris March: Jazz Festival, LOTR Concert & Tower Renovation

Paris Prepares for Jazz, Epic Concerts, and a Landmark Renovation this March

The City of Lights buzzes with the Banlieues Bleues Jazz Festival and a Lord of the Rings cinematic concert, while the Montparnasse Tower's iconic observatory closes for a major overhaul.

Aisha Palmer

Mar 1, 2026, 4:19 PM PT · 2 min read

Montparnasse Tower's observatory closes for overhaul.

THE RUNDOWN

Banlieues Bleues jazz festival runs March 27 - April 17, 2026.
"Lord of the Rings" concert at Adidas Arena March 7-8, 2026.
Montparnasse Tower observatory closes permanently March 31, 2026.
Tower renovations will cost over EUR 600 million, lasting until ~2030.
Renovations include new glass facade and rooftop greenhouse.

March in Paris is set to be a vibrant month for culture enthusiasts, offering everything from immersive jazz experiences to epic symphonic film concerts. However, the city also bids farewell, at least temporarily, to a beloved panoramic viewpoint as the Montparnasse Tower embarks on a multi-year renovation project.

Jazz aficionados can look forward to the 43rd edition of the Banlieues Bleues festival, running from March 27 to April 17, 2026. This acclaimed festival will transform 10 to 11 towns across the Seine-Saint-Denis region into hubs of musical innovation, kicking off with an inauguration at Université Paris 8 in Saint-Denis. Festival director Xavier Lemettre leads an event known for its eclectic program of jazz and world music, aiming to inspire and uplift audiences.

Montparnasse Tower seen from the Jardin du Luxembourg — Photo: DiscoA340 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

For fans of Middle-earth, an extraordinary musical journey awaits at the Adidas Arena. From March 7 to March 8, 2026, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" will be presented as a cinematic concert, featuring Howard Shore's iconic score performed live by the Yellow Socks Orchestra. Over 85 musicians and 150 choristers will bring the beloved film to life in a truly immersive experience.

Meanwhile, a significant change is coming to the Parisian skyline. The observation deck on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower will permanently close its doors to the public on March 31, 2026. This closure marks the beginning of an extensive renovation project for the 210-meter-tall skyscraper, projected to cost over EUR 600 million. The ambitious plans, led by the Nouvelle AOM consortium (comprising Franklin Azzi, ChartierDalix, and Hardel Le Bihan), include a new glass facade, an agricultural greenhouse on the roof, and an increase in height by approximately 12 meters. The tower is not expected to reopen until around 2030.