do you all suggest bringing an umbrella to carry with us pretty much at all times, and what jackets? also ill be going to the ballet at the opera bastille, whats the dress code for those kind of events?

We were there last March, and wore pea coats since it was fairly chilly and raining. I had a small travel umbrella I kept in my (large) purse that we carried around.

..March is totally unpredictable..so layer, layer, layer. An umbrella is a must. You may have lovely weather in the high 50's(rarely low 60s) or rainy chilly low 40's(or even high 30's) so be prepared. Remember no matter what the weather it is Paris so who cares..I don't and I'll be there next month!

What we call April showers in the U.S. are called March showers (les giboulées de mars) in Paris. There can be very sudden and frequent downpours. Be prepared, but enjoy your trip.

Second week of March 2007, did not rain but was rather chilly ( did not expect the wind), wished I had a warmer coat.

sorry - 2006
just wishful thinking

opera dress code?

Paris. March. Wow.

I see --
Strong wind. Heavy rain. Chill to the bones.

Recommend --
Long coat with hood. Black. Wool. Good boots. Long gloves. Indomitable companion, assuming you are woman. Otherwuse, slug it out.

Two years ago I spent about 5 days in Paris around St. Patrick's Day. It was chilly in the morning, maybe low 40's high 50's but quickly warmed up. I think they had a freak hot spell because by the end of the trip people were walking around in T-shirts and it was over 70. So who knows?

We have been going to Paris in March for the last 5 years and will again this year. I have a raincoat with a hood and buttoned in lining which has sufficed for all the weather we have had. Some years I have been able to just use the coat without the lining in the daytime and some years I am happy about the sweaters under it. We have been lucky that we haven't had much rain though the year we did the rain came in as occasional showers. It also might depend on where you are coming from-for us coming from New England the weather in Paris in March is better than what we have at home.

Ditto.

I carry a waterproof trench coat with a zip-out lining, and I'm good to go down to about freezing - with rain.

The coat was made in Denmark, and believe me, those people know from wet cold. So their clothing reflects it.

thanks for the jacket tips....how much should i dress up for the opera?

I've been in Paris in March just about every year for the past 25 years. I've seen everything from snow to 75-degree weather. There are NO guarantees, so be prepared for anything and check the weather before you leave (at least you can do that these days!).

We went to the ballet at opera bastille and saw people wearing everything, including women in jeans (really, I was surprised.) I dressed for it as I would dress for a ballet here--nice, simple, black skirt and shell with simple jewelry. DH had a sports jacet and tie, but some men didn't. So, wear something nice but doesn't have to be formal--very few people were dressed formally. It was wonderful, BTW. Enjoy. (We're going in April and the opera and ballet are not performing then)

We'll be in Paris from 2/22 through 3/9 and both DH and I are taking trenchcoats with removable linings. We'll plan to layer, starting with silk undershirts and long johns for the Feb days when it could get pretty cold walking and hoping to see a little increase as we enter March. Gloves, hats, scarves and umbrellas will be with us, as well!