Here is what’s up next in the schedule of annual events:
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Sat13Oct2018Sun14Oct2018Rouen
Rouen Annual "Fete du Ventre" Festival
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). -
Fri23Nov2018Sun30Dec2018Strasbourg
Strasbourg Christmas Market (c) Strasbourg
Since 1570, Strasbourg has been hosting a Christmas market, and it's getting stringer and stronger.
2 million visitors every year, hundred of stalls and many events during the 5 weeks.
Click here to access the Strasbourg Christmas Market organiser's web site.
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Sat24Nov2018Sun25Nov2018Fecamp
Traditional herring smoker (from The Netherlands) at the Fecamp Herring Festival
2 days of glorifying the herring caught in abundance. You eat all sorts of prepared herring (smoked, BBQ's, fried) while listening to live music in a great atmosphere at Fecamp.
Click here to read more about the "Fete du Hareng" event on our site
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Thu06Dec2018Sun09Dec2018Lyon
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.
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Fri01Feb2019Sun03Feb2019Le Touquet
1100 motorcycles bottleneck at Le Touquet Enduropale
World's craziest motorcycle race, with 1100 motorcycles racing in deep sand for 3 hours, with 200,000 to 500,000 spectators at this free event. Le Touquet's Enduropale.
Click here to read more about the Le Touquet Enduropale beach race on our site
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Sat20Apr2019Sun21Apr2019Le Mans
Motorcycle race in Le Mans
The 24 Hours car race of Le Mans is legendary. But the 24 Hours race is not limited to just cars. The 24 Hours motorcycle race is just as imposing and popular.
Every year, 100,000's of fans arrive for this race weekend, often camping alongside the road. It does turn however into a "drunk fest", so plan your trip carefully.
It is always well attended internationally, with fans coming from all over the world. Hotels and campings display "no vacancies" since most are booked a year in advance. So if you're planning to see this mythical race, better book well in advance.
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Thu06Jun2019Sun16Jun2019Rouen
Exit of Rouen's Armada of tall sail ships
Once every 5 to 7 years, world's biggest tall sail ships (multi-mast) come to Rouen for 10 days of festivities. Then on the last day, all of them sail out to the ocean under the watchful eyes of millions of spectators. A unique event.
Click here to read more about the Grande Armada tall ships parade on our site.
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Sat15Jun2019Sun16Jun2019Provins
Provins Medieval Festival (c) Provins
Europe's biggest medieval festival held in the Unesco World Heritage site of Provins.
One weekend at the foot of an old castle, celebrating like they used to centuries ago.
Click here to access the Provins Medieval Festival web site.
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Mon17Jun2019Sun23Jun2019Paris
2017 Paris Air Show poster
The Paris Air Show, the biggest in its kind, is held every 2 years (alternating with the UK). The trade and professionals are welcomed starting on the 19th, general visitors can see the airplanes between the 23rd and 25th of June.
Every 2 years, 100,000's of airplane lovers gather here to see air stunts and fly-overs by commercial and military aircraft, from the very latest to the oldest.
It is always well attended internationally, with fans coming from all over the world. Hotels and campings display "no vacancies" since most are booked a year in advance. So if you're planning to see this mythical air display and show, better book well in advance.
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Sat13Jul2019Sun14Jul2019All Over France
14th of July fireworks over the Fecamp harbour
14th of July is the day the common French people revolted against their king and nobility. It is the day France became a republic, and every year it is celebrated as THE national holiday. The French never call it Bastille Day, but instead just call is "quatorze Juillet" (meaning 14th July).
Although the day itself is the 14th, on the evening of the 13th there are always many events, most of them centred around the local fire-station with music and dancing. On the 13th, it is the time to get acquainted with your local firefighters, dance, drink and be merry.
On the 14th, in the evening there are many concerts and most cities, towns and even small villages have fireworks. Many cities also have parades, but of course none can beat the one in Paris.
Copyright
Travel France Tips by Mike Werner is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
