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St. Patrick's Day in Paris

If you find yourself in Paris on St. Patrick's Day you will see that this Irish holiday has become a truly international holiday, and one of the biggest Spring events in Paris. The French enjoy St. Patrick's Day, but it's the Americans, Canadians, Irish, and Australians who are living in Paris that really make this holiday exciting. Whether you spend a family friendly day at Disneyland Paris watching the parade or in an Irish pub in the city, you will find something fun going on for St. Patrick's Day in Paris.

History

Most people associate St. Patrick's Day with parades and green beer, but it is truly a religious holiday. St. Patrick is the saint who is said to have converted the heathen island of Ireland to Christianity. March 17, which is St. Patrick's Day, is actually the anniversary of his death. As legend tells it, St. Patrick used the three-leaf clover as a metaphor for the holy trinity in order to better explain things ot the Irish people. According to Irish lore, he was also said to have banished all of the snakes for Ireland. Religious people attend church on St. Patrick's Day and treat it as a holiday day. However, most people spend the day enjoying Irish culture and fun parades. This is traditionally how St. Patrick's Day is spent in France.

Culture

Paris is not home to a the largest St. Patrick's Day celebration around. Not even close. But that doesn't mean you won't find someone and somewhere to enjoy the holiday. A lot of the fun on St. Patrick's Day in Paris can be found in the Irish pubs throughout town. There is no shortage of Guinness to drink or green to wear. St. Patrick's Day often falls on a weekday, in which case the bar scene may be better the weekend before March 17^th.

Irish Cultural Center

Paris has it's very own Irish Cultural Center. This center puts on performances, classes, events, movies, and many other events incorporating Irish culture. The Irish Cultural Center is located in the 5^th arrondissement in Paris. The building is home to many displays of Irish culture as well as some short term accommodation for visiting Irish students. The center offers classes in Gaelic, the traditional Irish language. If you are going to be in Paris during St. Patrick's Day and you are interested in real Irish culture you should check the Center's website to see if they have any events going on that day.

Bars

It's not too hard to find an Irish pub in Paris. Or anywhere in the world for that matter. Many of the Irish pubs in Paris are actually owned by native Irishmen. The Green Linnet for example is owned by a man from Cork, in the south of Ireland. This bar is named after an Irish rebel song code name for Napoleon. Located in the 4^th arrondissement of Paris, The Green Linnet is a great option for a St. Patrick's Day celebration.

The Irish pub conglomerate O'Sullivans has seven locations in France. These bars have everything you could want, good drink, good food, sports, and music. If you see an O'Sullivans on St. Patrick's Day, it is probably a good idea to stop in and see what the craic (fun in Irish) is. The Latin Quarter is home to a pub by the famous name of Finnegan's Wake. Finnegan's Wake features low stools and exposed stone, very typical of Irish pubs. It is just one more good option for St. Patrick's Day fun in Paris.

Disneyland

Your best option for a St. Patrick's Day parade in Paris is at Disneyland. While this may not be an authentically Irish parade, it is full of fun. Mickey and Minnie will dress the part in special green outfits for the occasion. You will be able to listen to some Irish music as you watch leprechauns walk through Disneyland. The parade is kitschy, but that is some of the best parts of it. The day ends with a special fireworks display in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

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St. Patrick's Day in Paris