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Cheval Passion
Avignon
16 January – 20 January 2008
During this event, Avignon becomes the
capital of horse related activities. The
expo features five days of show jumping
contests, informational events, and a
trade fair. Don't miss the Gala des
Crinières d'Or which is the highlight of
the entire festival awarding a prize to
the most elegant display of
equestrianism.
International Circus Festival of
Tomorrow
Paris
31 January – 3 February 2008
The Pelouse de Reuilly is packed with
international circus performers in light
hearted competition. Up and coming young
circus acts have been participating in
this event for 30 years and the
tradition continues to grow as each show
attracts more and more visitors.
Numicarta
Paris
1 February - 2 February 2008
Numicarta is a dream for coin or
postcard collectors. This event is held
at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
and features various rare coin,
postcard, and photograph displays.
International Violet Meeting
Toulouse
February 2008
Toulouse holds on to its reputation as
the "violet capital" of the world during
this festival. Participants from all
over the world including countries such
as China, United States, and Australia
come to Toulouse to converge on the
topic of the famed purple flower.
International Short Film Festival
Lille
February 2008
This annual event is held at the Tri
Postal and Palais des Beaux Arts and
attracts a large number of visitors to
Lille each year. The festival features
over 100 short films from various genres
and each are screened by a panel of
international judges.
Games Festival
Cannes
13 February – 17 February 2008
Join in on the fun during this playful
event. Games of numerous varieties
including backgammon, scrabble,
checkers, and crossword puzzles are
available for your enjoyment. This
festival is full of excitement for any
gamer from novice to expert.
Nice Carnival
Nice
16 February – 2 March 2008
The French Riviera will be jam packed
with event goers for the 124th edition
of the Nice Carnival. The famed winter
carnival is full of exciting events such
as live music, parades, and fireworks.
The annual event attracts over one
million visitors each year.
International Agricultural Show
Paris
23 February – 2 March 2008
This is France's largest agriculture
show held at the Porte de Versailles.
This event features exhibits that
showcase various animals, food, hunting
and informational displays. Over 1,000
exhibitors from France and around the
world come to Paris to educate the many
visitors that attend the show each year.
Chatou Ham Fair
Chatou Island
March 2008
The island of Chatou lies along the
River Seine and provides the backdrop
for this world renowned food and antique
event. At this fair you can find almost
any type of antique item that comes to
mind. Here you will find numerous market
stalls lining the island featuring
French gastronomic specialties such as
the obvious large selection of ham,
cheeses, and wines.
Black Shoes Telemark Competition
Tignes and Sainte Foy
March 2008
The classic style of telemark skiing is
brought back to life during this series
of competitions. There are races for all
levels of expertise and of course plenty
of parties and celebrations.
Participants enjoy a night of partying
at a local restaurant the night before
the race and then rise early the next
day to take home the title of champion
in their respective competition.
Printemps du Cinema
France
March 2008
Fans of the cinema will enjoy this
festival where numerous movie theatres
open their doors to cheap screenings of
current blockbuster hits. Cinemas all
over France take part in the annual
event.
Martial Arts Festival
Paris
March 2008
The Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy is
host to this leading martial arts event
that attracts fierce competitors from
around the world. This annual event
draws over 15,000 visitors who head to
Paris to take part in the festivities.
Salon des Réalités Nouvelles
Paris
April 2008
At this event over 400 acclaimed artists
put their art work on display for
thousands of event goers. The festival
features numerous pieces of fine art
ranging from contemporary to abstract.
La Scara
Val d'Isère
April 2008
This is the best time to visit the
glorious Val d'Isère resort in the
Rhone-Alpes region of France. Over 1,400
competitors between the ages of 12 and
15 compete in this International Alpine
race that takes place along the famous
"Okay" trail.
Paris Marathon
Paris
6 April 2008
This marathon gets its start at the
Champ- Elysees and canvases the city of
Paris as it passes by many of its famed
landmarks. Over 35,000 athletes head to
the capital city to compete in the
challenging race.
Scallop Festival
Brittany
April 2008
The Brittany region of France is
overcome by the savory scallop. The
popular mollusk is the star of this
event, where thousands of visitors flock
to Loguivy de la Mer to indulge in the
decadent seafood. Here you can eat
fabulous fresh seafood, chat with the
fisherman, and take home a few new
recipes to add to your collection.
Somme Bay Bird Festival
Abbeville
12 April - 20 April 2008
Head to northern France to catch this
annual festival where bird lovers band
together to celebrate the variety of
species that are found through out the
region. The event features screenings of
documentaries, walking tours, and a bird
call competition.
The Amiens Rèderie
Amiens
April 2008
Amiens plays host to one of the oldest
flea markets in France. The streets are
lined with old relics and antique items
from over 2,000 stalls that are on
display. Shoppers looking for a good
bargain come from all over the world.
International Extreme Sports Festival
Montpellier
30 April – 4 May 2008
See some of the best extreme sports
competitors during this adrenaline
pumped event which is the largest of its
kind in Europe. Here you can watch the
best in BMX, skateboarding, and
snowboarding and be sure to check out
the superb series of musical
performances that are concurrent with
the sport events.
Festival des Très Courts
France
May 2008
This event translates into the Festival
of Short Shorts and features the
screening of short films all less than
three minutes! The programme features
approximately 50 films and on the final
night of the festival a jury will award
prizes to the best films.
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Strawberry
Festival
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
13 May 2008
Strawberries are everywhere during this
day long event. Strawberry enthusiasts
gather together to pay homage to the
delectable fruit. At the festival you
will find the fruit prepared in a
variety ways. Watch as the festival
tries to create a huge strawberry tarte
that is devoured by the event goers once
complete.
Guebwiller Wine Fair
Guebwiller
May 2008
Enjoy some of the finest wines that are
produced in France at this fair. The
Alsace region is famous for its Wine
Road that weaves through its many small
towns. Enjoy the many exquisite
varieties of wine that are available
during this event.
Fête de la Rose
Grasse
May 2008
This Rose Festival celebrates the
brightly hued flower in all its glory.
There are competitions for the best and
most fragrant roses. Here you can expand
your rose knowledge by attending the
many lectures and museum events
occurring during the festival.
The Ten Wave Festival
Lille
May – June 2008
This event is the highlight of the
summer season in Lille. The season is
over taken by live music and dancing in
its various venues. There will be over
100 shows ranging from concerts, dance
performances, and carnival events.
Kugelhopf Festival
Ribeauvillè
June 2008
At this event, visitors pay tribute to
the specialty cake known as the
Kugelhopf. The round cake is made with
fruit bits and nuts and is dusted with
confectioner's sugar. The popular
breakfast item is enjoyed through out
Europe and this event will provide you
with plenty of opportunities to indulge
in the sweet treat.
Cavalcade
La Rochelle
June 2008
The streets of La Rochelle are packed
with partiers as this two day event hits
the town each year. Be sure to catch the
night parade where a large procession of
colorful floats make their way down the
streets of the city and enjoy all the
great family entertainment that is on
hand.
Jazzellerault Festival
Chatellerault
June 2008
Chatellerault plays host to this jazz
event that draws thousands of visitors
to the small town each year. Enjoy the
sounds of professional musicians and you
may even get the chance to play amongst
these jazz greats during this festival.
Romantic Music Festival
Nohant
June 2008
Enjoy the sounds of romantic era
composers during this series of piano
concerts. The event is held at the house
of 19th century novelist, George Sands.
The concerts are held weekend nights
during the month of June each year.
Midsummer Fireworks
Paris
June 2008
Each year Parisians celebrate the
longest day of the year with an exciting
fireworks display. The streets are line
with hundreds of spectators as the
colorful pyrotechnics displays shoot
into the air.
Bordeaux Fête le Vin
Bordeaux
26 June - 29 June 2008
A four day festival devoted to all
things wine, the Fête le Vin, occurs in
Bordeaux each year to showcase this wine
capital of France. Sip a variety of
wines along the river Garonne or
participate in one of the many short
tasting workshops presented by local
vineyards.
Anjou Theatre Festival
Angers
9 June - 5 July 2008
A wide variety of performances by
various playwrights will please any
theater goers during this festival. You
will see both modern and classical
pieces that both children and adults can
enjoy in front of the region's beautiful
monuments.
Red Fruit Fair
Noyon
July 2008
Local producers of cherries,
strawberries, raspberries, and
loganberries come together to showcase
their harvest at the Cathédral de Noyon.
A prize is offered to the best display
of red fruits; while visitors can peruse
jams, compotes, syrups, and sauces
available for purchase.
Bastille Day Celebrations
Paris
14 July 2008
Celebrate the largest, most
important national holidays in France:
Bastille Day. Commemorating the fall of
the Bastille fortress and beginnings of
democracy in Western Europe, Bastille
Day is an important event to attend.
Head into a fire service station where
firefighters host parties, or dance the
night away in Bastille square. A large
military parade led by the President
marches along the Champs-Elysées from
L'Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la
Concorde, so you will want to arrive
early for the best view.
Théâtre en Été
La Rochelle
19 July - 26 July 2008
The week-long summer Theater festival
held in La Rochelle includes many
different examples of performance art
including classic plays, improvised and
stand-up comedy, contemporary dance,
street entertainers and even puppet
shows for children.
International Marionette Festival
Mirepoix
31 July - 4 August 2008
The puppet takes center stage for this
festival in the rural inlands of
southern France. With performances both
inside and outside, a wonderful
experience can be had regardless of
weather conditions.
Moonlit Cinema in Paris
Paris
6 August - 24 August 2008
In an open air setting, Parisian
neighborhoods present free films in
almost every quartier of Paris.
Following a central theme of European
cinema, many different examples of
European films are shown throughout the
city in quaint outdoor settings.
Medieval Spectacle
Carcassonne
July - August 2008
Steeped in medieval history, Carcassonne
is the perfect location for the annual
Medieval Spectacle, which showcases
jousting, fencing, acrobatics,
exhibitions and recitals. Much of the
city is unchanged and preserved, so you
will be sure to have an authentic
medieval experience.
Poitiers Heritage Days
Poitiers
13 September - 14 September 2008
During this weekend, Poitiers opens up
monuments and historic sites that are
normally closed to the public. Walk
among the ancient ruins of Poitou, a
former capital city, and view Baptistère
Saint-Jean, one of the oldest churches
in France. A number of lesser-known
landmarks and sites are available to the
public only for this event.
Pottery Festival
Malicorne
September 2008
The center of town fills with potters
from around France displaying their
wares and selling their works. Artisans
also give pottery and firing
demonstrations to spectators, using the
same high quality clay the region has
offered for over 250 years.
Apple Fair
Vimoutiers
October 2008
Thousands of visitors flock to the Apple
fair to eat apples, drink cider, and
enjoy all things apple. The apple
literally takes center stage in
Vimoutiers during this festival, with a
theatrical set made entirely from apples
serving as a background for performance.
Be sure to do as the Normans and enjoy a
glass of calvados, or apple liqueur,
with your evening meal.
Paris International Boat Show
Porte de Versailles
December 2008
Water activity enthusiasts, for any
water activity, must attend this
enormous show featuring over 31 sectors
of the boating industry. Featuring more
than watercraft, the boat show also
caters to non-boaters with exhibits for
wake boarders, water skiers, and even
travelers to water destinations.
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