Fete Du Ventre (Festival of the Stomach)

Start date: October 14, 2023 - End date: October 15, 2023

Location: Rouen

Once a year, the city of Rouen celebrates the stomach. All sorts of foods are displayed throughout the city centre, where they can be bought and eaten on the spot.

Many of the stalls and people are dressed up in medieval ways.

Click here to read our description of the festival.
Click here to access the organiser’s program and introduction (in French only).

Transat Jacques Vabre – Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race

Start date: October 25, 2023 - End date: November 10, 2023

Location: Le Havre

For more info

Races | Sail

Transat Jacques Vabre all 4 types of sailboats and village

Every two years, some 40 sail yachts in 4 different categories, each manned by 2 skippers set off on a timed race taking the old coffee routes between Le Havre and South America.

One week before the race, all the boats are in the docks for all to admire. It’s a big event, and the race village is full of people.

Click here to read more about this epic sail event on our site.

Fete des Lumieres – Festival of Light

Start date: December 7, 2023 - End date: December 10, 2023

Location: Lyon

For more info

Festivals

Lyon's Festival of Light

Every year in the winter, Lyon holds the Light Festival, a time where many if not most buildings, monuments, fountains, etc are lit up.

This allows you to move through the city of Lyon while being amazed by all the lights and decorations.

Houses are asked to place candles in the windows and there are all sorts of light shows (particularly at the main City Hall and the Basilica).

The festival is not new. It started in 1643 when the plague struck the city. A promise was made to to pay tribute if they were spared. So every 8 December at the Basilica they hold the light procession.

Click here to access the organiser’s web site for more information and schedules.

Tours

Tours – Tips

Tours – Basilica Saint-Martin de Tours

Tours – Some of the Churches

Tours – Introduction