Lawyers stage a national protest, an auction house has a raffle, a big music festival gets under way, and there are key dates for dog owners and US citizens in France.
Monday
Strike — Lawyers have called a nationwide ‘Justice is Dead’ day to protest against a draft bill making its way through Parliament and championed by the Minister of Justice that includes the extension of plea-bargaining. The protest is part of a strike by lawyers from numerous bar associations that started on April 1st.
Postponements of criminal and civil hearings are expected according to the bar associations.
Tuesday
Anniversary — The 40th anniversary of the death of existentialist philosopher, writer, social theorist, and feminist activist Simone de Beauvoir will be marked in Paris.
Auction — Christie’s auction house is set to host a ‘Picasso for €100’ raffle.
Football — All four Uefa Champions League quarter-final second-leg matches kick off at 9pm. Holders Paris Saint-Germain take a 2-0 lead to Liverpool.
Festival — You know summer’s well and truly on the way when big music festivals start popping up on the agenda. Enter the 50th anniversary edition of the annual, eclectic Printemps de Bourges in the central French town of Bourges, which this year features Vanessa Paradis, Patti Smith, Superbus, Feu! Chatterton, and Linh — among others.
Wednesday
Dogs — Between April 15th and June 30th every year, it is illegal for dogs to be off the lead in forests, meadows, or along riverbanks, unless they are on a designated path. This is to prevent dogs from disturbing animals. Owners can be fined up to €750.
READ ALSO The little-known French law that could see dog owners fined €750 this spring
US taxes — This is US tax deadline day, although Americans living overseas benefit from an automatic two-month extension, taking them to June 15th. The French tax declaration season is also now open.
READ ALSO: Should you file your French tax return before your US one?
Thursday
Court — A hearing in the case of four Moldovan nationals arrested over Ukraine-related graffiti in France takes place in Paris.
Motorsport — The 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race meeting opens.
Friday
School holidays — Children attending schools in Zone C, which includes Paris and Toulouse, break up for their two-week Spring holidays at the end of classes.
Saturday
Rugby — Wales host France in the second round of the Women’s Six Nations, while Scotland entertain England, and Ireland are at home to Italy.
READ ALSO How to watch the Women’s Six Nations on TV in France
In the domestic senior men’s game, the Top 14 returns, after the two-week Champions and Challenge Cup break, with its Fan Days ‘derby’ weekend. Highlight games include La Rochelle v Bordeaux, Castres v Toulouse, and Racing 92 v Stade Francais.