Saint Patrick's Day 2017 at the Centre Culturel Irlandais

Situated inside a grand old edifice encircling a courtyard on the aptly named Rue des Irlandais, the Centre culturel irlandais boasts a colourful history inextricably tied to that of the country it represents. Founded as an academy back in the 16th century, the institute initially served as a kind of safe house for Catholics fleeing the religious purges in Ireland. It hasn't lost its scholastic vibe – it still offers a library and boarding rooms for visiting Irish students – but its remit has since widened to include cultural events of all stripes.

And they're pulling out the stops for Saint Patrick's Day this year (which falls on Friday March 17) with an events programme running March 14-19 2017. Whether you're after traditional Irish folk music, soda bread and stew or a pint of Guinness with fellow Emerald Isle expats, the Centre has something for everyone. Check out all the events below.