Summer’s over and it’s la rentrée in France – the time to return to work and school after the long, hot summer holidays and to harvest the grapes for wine. There’s plenty going on this season!

National events in Autumn

Rugby World Cup: 8 September – 28 October 2023

Semaine du Gout – Taste Week: 10-16 October. 2022. Discover the art of gastronomy with cooking classes, tastings, and entertainment. Details: www.legout.com

1st November La Toussaint – All Saints’ Day. All over France, pots of chrysanthemums are placed on graves as loved ones who have passed on are remembered.

11th November Armistice – commemorative services will be held all over France in honour of those who lost their lives in World War I and other wars.

Beaujolais Nouveau: the new season’s wine arrives on the third Thursday of November each year and the festivities start at midnight on Wednesday. Cafés, bars, and restaurants all over France encourage a taste!

Beaune: Wine Auction (Burgundy). 17-19 November 2023. Founded in 1443, the former charitable hospital Hospices de Beaune is now a museum. During its long existence, many donors bequeathed vineyards to the Hospices. In 1859, for the first time, the wines of the new vintage from these holdings were sold at auction. Now the hospices de Beaune wine auction is a major moment of Burgundian pageantry and the focal point for launching the new vintage plus tasting events. Book online at www.beaune-tourism.com

What’s on?

Paris – Le Carousel du Louvre Art Fair, 20-22 October 2023. Shop for art in the heart of Paris and see the extraordinary artworks of artists including Ragnhild Monsen, tapestry maker.

Paris Nuit Blanche is held annually on the first Saturday night in October. Museums, public buildings, monuments, swimming pools, cinemas, parks, universities, and historic sites are open to the public all night – an art and culture party! Details: quefaire.paris.fr/nuitblanche

Paris – Fetes des Vendanges, 11-15 October 2023. This is one you definitely should not miss if you’re in Paris at this time. A celebration of the wine made in the secret vineyard of Paris, with dance, food, fireworks, and a lot of fun. This event has been going since 1934! Read our review of the Fetes des Vendanges here.

Picardy, Amiens: Grand Rederie Amiens – the second largest flea market in France held first Sunday every October. www.grande-rederie-amiens.com

Special offer

Book a 2024 CroisiEurope cruise before 30 September and get 15% off all Europe cruises – use code “EARBOOTRAVEL” at www.croisieurope.co.uk

Exhibitions

Catch the extraordinary Eva Jospin exhibition at the Palace of the Popes. Monumental cardboard installations including a “palazzo” that’s strangely dreamlike, and utterly mesmerising. Until 7 Jan 2024. Working with cardboard, the monumental sculptures are beautiful and astonishing.

Cultival and the Musée de l’Armée – will open a new immersive night-time sound and light experience in the heart of the 17^th century Dôme des Invalides September 22, 2023. Places are limited, tickets at: aura-invalides.com

The Chateau de Chantilly (Oise) Plant Days event brings together nearly 200 nurserymen and exhibitors from all over France and Europe. October 6-8, 2023

America celebrates Halloween – in Moselle they celebrate Rommelbootzennaat – the night of the grinning beets! This traditional festival with Celtic origins which takes place all over the department. Traditionally celebrated on October 31, the eve of All Saints’ Day, it marked the end of the luminous season and the beginning of the dark season. For one night, it was believed, the door between the world of the living and that of the dead was open…

Now celebrated from October 21 to November 5, some people light candles and place them in a hollowed-out beet or pumpkin!

Christmas is coming…

Christmas lights to be switched on in Paris 17 November 2023

We’ll bring you lots more Christmas info in the Winter issue of The Good Life France Magazine (subscribe here for free).

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Find out what’s on in Spring 2023 in France – here’s our pick of some of the best and new events this season…

National Events

 Les Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art

European Days of Crafts: 22 March – 7 April, a chance for the public to meet artisans as 5000 events take place across France. Workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations of skill plus tours. www.institut-metiersdart.org/

Chartres en Lumières

April 2023 to January 2024, the city of Chartres (Eure-et-Loire) puts on the most amazing light show with its annual festival of light. Take a guided visit, or simply wander this ancient city on foot. Make sure you visit the famous Cathedral while you’re there. www.chartresenlumieres.com/fr/

Poisson d’Avril

1st April is le poisson d’avril in France, (April Fish Day). You’ll see fish-shaped chocolates and pastries in shops across France. It’s traditional to stick paper cut-out fish onto people’s backs and not let them know. The idea is for them to walk around unaware all day, entertaining onlookers. The origins of le poisson d’avril are not clear but it’s believed to go back to a tradition of giving fish as a gift to celebrate the beginning of Easter and the end of Lent.

European Museum Night – May 13

Museums and monuments all over France will be open free of charge for most of the evening and many offer workshops, guided tours, musical performances and more. Not to be missed! nuitdesmusees.culture.gouv.fr/en/

Major Events

Mont-Saint-Michel Normandy celebrates its 1000th anniversary in 2023. Construction of the Romanesque nave of the Mont-St-Michel Abbey began in 1023. We’ll be bringing you more on this UNESCO-listed wonder of the world in the summer issue of the magazine.

The Palace of Versailles celebrates its 400th Anniversary this year. Wishing to show all of Europe the magnificence of his reign, in 1661 Louis XIV transformed his father’s modest castle into one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. He installed the Court there in 1682 and his successors lived there until the French Revolution. It became a museum in 1837. There will be several exhibitions through the year to celebrate this important milestone.

Le Mans celebrates its 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours endurance race. The origins of the 24 Hours of Le Mans go back to 1906, when the Sarthe region won a public bid from the Automobile Club de France (ACF) to organise a Grand Prix. It was a huge success and sparked off the idea to hold an annual race. On May 26, 1923, 33 cars took to the track for the first edition of the 24-hour Speed and Endurance Grand Prix/Rudge-Withworth Cup. Since then, it has attracted daredevil racers from around the world including Hollywood legends Steve McQueen and Paul Newman.

Bayonne/Nouvelle Aquitaine: The Bayonne Ham Fair

Bayonne Ham Fair brings together more than 200,000 people, mainly young and old, around the river Nive, the Market and the quays of Bayonne. April 6-9 www.foireaujambon.fr/

Dordogne/Nouvelle Aquitaine – Dordogne’s “Chateau en Fête”

Sumptuous castles, manors and manor houses open their doors and present exhibitions, shows, sound and light shows, concerts, banquets, candlelit dinners and guided tours by the owner. 15 April – 1 May. chateauxenfete.com

Across France: Rendez-Vous aux Jardins garden festival – June 2-4

Each year, more than 2,200 parks and gardens – both public and private, open their doors and offer activities and meetings with owners and professionals (botanists, gardeners, landscapers) plus guided tours, sensory or naturalistic walks, demonstrations of know-how, garden tours, musical walks, games/competitions, theatrical events, etc. Theme for 2023: “Music in the Garden” rendezvousauxjardins.culture.gouv.fr/en

Rouen/Normandie – Armada of Tall Ships – June 8-18

Fifty magnificent tall ships, the world’s largest gathering, along with military boats and submarines from all over the world, manned by 7000 French and foreign sailors, will line Rouen’s quaysides for ten days of celebrations. The event finishes with a superb parade along the River Seine, towards the estuary between Honfleur and Le Havre. The Rouen Armada is the only event of its kind in France and is held every four years. www.armada.org/

Across France: Fête de la Musique – June 21

June 21, the day of the summer solstice is Fête de la musique day, a major free festival celebrating music in all its forms in streets across France. Thousands of concerts featuring bands, harmonies, choirs, orchestras, “big band” or rock groups. fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr

Vienne/Auvergne-Rhone-Alps – Jazz à Viennes – 28 June 28 – 12July

Created 40 years ago, the Festival Jazz à Vienne is held during the first two weeks of July. Every year over 200,000 festival goers flock to see more than 100 artists. jazzavienne.com/en

Across France: Tour de France – July 1-23

The world’s largest bike race covers a whopping 3,500km through the most beautiful landscapes of France. This year kicks off in Bilbao in the Basque Country and finishes on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.

Enjoy The Good Life France Magazine Spring 2023 issue – totally FREE: magazine.thegoodlifefrance.com/spring-2023

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There’s plenty going on throughout Winter in France – here’s our pick of some of the best and new events this season…

National Events

25 December Christmas Day – National Holiday
1 January New Year’s Day – National Holiday
2 February – La Chandeleur/pancake day
14 February Valentine’s Day

Major Events

Christmas markets

This year the Christmas markets are back in full swing in France – full of festive, fabulous fun. Be aware that as part of the energy savings plan being encouraged in France Christmas lights are generally going to be turned off earlier than usual for instance in Paris where the Christmas display lights will be switched off at 11.45 pm instead of the usual 2am.

Read our ultimate guide to Christmas in France, 2022

Fete des Dindes, Licques, Pas-de-Calais | 10-11 December 2022

A truly charming festival where turkeys are celebrated in the little town of Licques (around 30 minutes by car from Calais). There’s a gastronomic fair with wine tasting and food for all your Christmas luxuries and on Sunday morning around 11am, hundreds of turkeys are released to “rampage” through the streets accompanied by local brotherhoods and dignitaries in all their finery! paysdopale-tourisme.fr

Sarlat Truffle Festival, Dordogne | 14-5 January 2023

Indulge in truffle flavoured gourmet specialities at the big and festive truffle market on the  middle weekend of January in the enchanting medieval town of Sarlat. Music, workshops and a festive atmosphere make this a brilliantly fun sarlat-tourisme.com

Comic Festival, Angoulême, Poitou-Charentes | 26-29 January 2023

The 50th edition of the Festival International de la Bande Dessinée (Comic Festival) in Angouleme draws huge crowds of fans. Competitions for amateurs and enthusiasts, meet the professionals, watch them work and ask questions. The famous comic museum is an absolutely must see for all fans of the art. bdangouleme.com

Nice Carnival | 10 – 26  February 2023

Nice Carnival is a joyous event! Processions, flower parades and flower battles, rock, pop, fireworks and giants. Blow the winter cobwebs away at one of the most colourful and glamorous of all the French carnivals. nicecarnaval.com

Major exhibitions

William Morris: Art in Everything,  La Piscine Museum, Roubaix, Hauts-de-France until 8 January 2023

The world famous museum La Piscine presents the work of William Morris (1834-1896) for the first time in France. Roubaix-lapiscine.com

New for  2023

The 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance car race will celebrate its 100th anniversary race in Le Mans, 10-11 June 2023.

Tour de France 2023 will take place from 1-23 July starting in Bilbao in Spain and ending as always in the Champs-Elysees, Paris. The riders will pedal right across France from Bordeaux through Limoges, volcanic Puy de Dome, Burgundy and the French Alps.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will be held in France from 8 September – 28  October 2023. 20 countries will compete in more than 45 matches hosted in nine French cities and venues. The opening match will see the home team “Les Bleus” take on the formidable “All Blacks” of New Zealand at the Stade de France, Paris.

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It’s la Rentrée in France, the time of the year when people are back from their summer holidays and there’s a feeling of renewal in the air and it’s the time when museums and galleries put on new exhibitions galore. We’ve picked some of the best new events and openings for this autumn…

National Events in Autumn in France

Semaine du Gout – Taste Week: A foodie event taking place throughout France. Taste Week hosts events, workshops for the public include cooking classes, tastings and entertainment. 10-16 October, 2022 www.legout.com

1st November La Toussaint – All Saints’ Day: a day to remember loved ones who have passed on and place pots of colourful chrysanthemums on their graves.

11th November Armistice Day: commemorative services are held in almost every town and village in France in honour of those who lost their lives in World War I and other wars.

Beaujolais Nouveau: the new season’s wine arrives in cafés, bars & restaurants at midnight on Wednesday the night before the 3rd Thursday of November!

What’s New in France– Autumn 2022

Chateau de Versailles, Paris

18 October 2022 to 19 February 2023 New Exhibition: Louis XV, tastes and passions of a King

For the first time the Palace of Versailles is presenting a major exhibition dedicated to Louis XV to celebrate the 300^th anniversary of his coronation. Born in 1710 in Versailles, Louis XV was and the great-grandson of Louis XIV. He became king at the age of five, in 1715, on the death of the Sun King and his reign spanned more than 50 years. The exhibition of more than 400 works looks at the man behind the crown and his passions for science, botany, architecture and more. Madame du Barry’s rooms in Versailles will also reopen to the public. The famous mistress of Louis XV had one of the most refined apartments in the palace, above the kings, and has been closed for restoration involving 50 craftsmen for almost two years. chateauversailles.fr 

David Hockney at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum

 22 September 2022 – 23 April 2023.

The Bayeux Tapestry Museum welcomes artist David Hockney for an exhibition of his giant fresco entitled ’A Year in Normandy.’ Hockney moved to Normandy in 2019, and, inspired by the Bayeux tapestry, created a 90-meter long frieze using digital brushes on an iPad. bayeuxmuseum.com

World Poached Egg Championship in Bordeaux

8-9 October 2022

If you’re lucky enough to be near the Château du Clos de Vougeot in the heart of Burgundy’s winegrowing countryside (department) on the first weekend of October, you’re in for a treat! It’s the ‘Ouef en Meurette’ World Championship where chefs compete in a poached egg in wine contest. Tastings, cooking classes and fun guaranteed. www.meurette.fr

Palais Galliera, Fahion Museum Paris

Frida Kahlo | September 15, 2022 – March 5, 2023

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is one of the most recognized and influential artists of the 20th century. For the first time in France and in close collaboration with the Museo Frida Kahlo, the exhibition brings together more than two hundred objects from Casa Azul, the house where Frida was born and raised. Cclothes, correspondence, accessories, cosmetics, medicines , medical prostheses etc.  These personal effects were sealed by her husband, Mexican mural painter Diego Rivera, in 1954 when the artist died, and were rediscovered fifty years later, in 2004. The collection includes traditional Tehuana dresses, pre-Columbian necklaces that Frida collected, examples of corsets and hand-painted prostheses.  Palaisgalliera.fr

Opening of the Glass Museum in Eure, Normandy

Lovers of glass sculptures, stained glass windows, Art Deco and Art Nouveau objects will love the François Décorchemont Glass Museum in a former 19th century hospice which is due to open in Autumn 2022. eure-tourism.com

Festival of Lights, Lyon

8- 11 December 2022

4 nights of enchantment in Lyon.  The Festival is innovative, intriguing and startling, and best of all free of charge. Each night brings a different theme, colour scheme and vibe with designers from around the world taking part. Video, Music and Sound effects are used to accompany the vibrant images dotted around the city. Fetedeslumieres.fr

Nuit Blanche Paris

1-2 October 2022

This incredible free event sees the doors of some of the city’s most popular cultural sites and museums to the public. It takes place from dark on Saturday night until the wee hours of Sunday… Nuit Blanche Paris

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We take a look at what’s on in France 2022…

National Holidays in France November

1st November La Toussaint – All Saints’ Day. All over France, pots of chrysanthemums are placed on graves as loved ones who have passed on are remembered.

11th November Armistice – commemorative services will be held all over France in honour of those who lost their lives in World War I and other wars.

More on public holidays in France

National Events in France in November

Beaujolais Nouveau: the new season’s wine arrives on the third Thursday of November each year and the festivities start at midnight on Wednesday. Cafés, bars and restaurants all over France encourage a taste!

What on in France in November

Beaune: Wine Auction (Burgundy). 17-19 November 2023. Created in 1443 the former charitable hospital Hospices de Beaune is now a museum. During its long existence, many donors bequeathed vineyards to the Hospices. In 1859 for the first time the wines of the new vintage from these holdings were sold at auction. Now the hospices de Beaune wine auction is a major moment of Burgundian pageantry and the focal point for launching the new vintage. Les Trois Glorieuses – considered to be one of the greatest wine auctions in the world is for those who are serious about wine. It’s also a great chance to enjoy tastings as various producers hold an open house for trying the latest vintages. You’ll need to buy tickets for the tastings event. You can book online at www.beaune-tourism.com

Etaples: Herring Festival – Fête du Hareng Roi. Every year on the banks of the River Canche in the town of Etaples the humble herring is celebrated. Cooked every which way – grilled, marinated or smoked. And it’s accompanied by a crispy chunk of French bread and a robust glass of wine. A huge party, delicious food, and an authentic festival. 11-12 November, 2023. www.etaples-tourisme.com

Rouen – Salon Gourmand: 10-12 November 2023. Enjoy a taste of France’s gastronomic heritage in Rouen. The fair showcases traditional products, specialities and wines from some 250 exhibitors from all around Normandy and further afield. www.salongourmandrouen.com

Annecy Wine and Food Festival. Wine and gastronomic exhibition with tastings galore. 10-12 November, 2023. www.salondesvins.org

Please check on the websites we’ve included for dates and details, things do change from time to time so it’s best to be sure!

Read more about all the national holidays and days that are celebrated in France here.

Enjoy The Good Life France Magazine – totally free to read/subscribe

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Take a look at what’s new and what’s great in France for Summer 2022 – from an underwater museum to a brand new champagne exhibition centre. Brilliant events that showcase the extraordinarily rich culture of France include marathon races in which wine is served, world class musical performances and a whole lot more…

Dive into a new underwater eco-museum, Cannes

The first underwater eco-museum in France has opened in Cannes, off the island of Sainte Marguerite. British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor has created six statues made of an ecological material to raise public awareness and promote the return of underwater flora and fauna to this now protected space where boat mooring is prohibited. To enjoy a mask and snorkel are all you need. cannes-destination.com

Pressoria, Champagne

Pressoria is a new visitor centre dedicated to understanding the production process, history and culture of champagne. Housed in the former Pommery press in Aÿ near Epernay it offers multi-sensory exhibitions as well as a tasting area with a view of the vineyard listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. pressoria.com

Chartres-en-lumière, Chartres lights up!

Until 14 January 2023, the town of Chartres in the Centre-Val de Loire region, will light up for the largest heritage highlighting operation in the world. The glorious Gothic Cathedral of Chartres, the bridges and washhouses on the banks of the River Eure, the Montescot mansion, church, theatre and museums – more than 20 monuments are included in this free and fabulous programme. Chartres-en-lumière takes place every night from dusk to 1am until October 31, then from dusk to 10.30 pm until 14 January. chartresenlumieres.com

Aix-en-Provence Festival

The Aix-en-Provence Festival, one of the most famous classical music and opera festivals in France, takes place each year in July. It attracts major European orchestras and top conductors. festival-aix.com

Cité du Vitrail – Stained glass museum, Troyes

Troyes in the Champagne region has been known for centuries as the stained glass capital of Europe. The city is also famous for its medieval quarter with beautiful half-timbered houses and Gothic churches and striking windows. 2022 sees the opening of a new museum dedicated to stained glass. The Cité du Vitrail will be housed in the magnificently restored 18th Century Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte. There is more than 32,000 square feet to showcase stained glass works dating from the 12th to 21st centuries. Cite-vitrail.aube.fr

Castle of Villers-Cotterêts in Picardy, to reopen to the public

Abandoned for decades, the only Renaissance castle, built by French King Francis 1 in the Picardy Region of Northern France, Château Villers-Cotterets, will reopen to the public in 2022. The castle, where Francis 1 signed an Ordinance in 1539 which the French language was to be used in all administrative and judicial areas of work and not Latin which had been used for centuries. This link with the French language has endured over the centuries. The great medieval writer François Rabelais stayed at the castle. Molière presented Tartuffe there. And Alexandre Dumas was born in Villers-Cotterêts. Cite-langue-francaise.fr

Les Chorégies d’Orange, Provence

Les Chorégies d’Orange, world famous opera festival, is staged in the exceptional location of the UNESCO listed 1st century AD Roman amphitheatre at Orange. The Chorégies d’Orange takes place each August with a program of operas, ballets and recitals, is the oldest French festival and the world’s oldest opera festival, dating back to 1869. choregies.fr

Marathon du Médoc, Bordeaux: September 10, 2022

The Medoc Marathon is a festive and eye-popping event held every year on the second Saturday of September. The run takes place through the vineyards of Bordeaux’s Médoc area and features wine and fine food stops! If you don’t get on the running list for this year – add it to your must-do for next year or cheer on from the vineyards… marathondumedoc.com

American Film Festival, September 2022

The American Film Festival highlights the diversity of American cinema, from major Hollywood productions to independent films. It is the only European festival of this scale to open its doors to the public. Each year more than a hundred films are presented and attended by major American actors and stars. festival-deauville.com

2023

Rouen-Armada of Tall Ships: June 8 -18, 2023

The largest sailing ships in the world will gather in the port of Rouen in Normandy, in June 2023, joined by warships and barges and nearly 8,000 sailors. Enjoy free entertainment, access to the ships and demonstrations, plus concerts and fireworks. This major event takes place roughly every 4 years – and it is unmissable. armada.org

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We take a look at some of the best new events and openings in Spring 2022 in France…

Bassins de Lumières, Bordeaux

February 2022 – 2 January 2023. In Bordeaux, the Bassins de Lumières, the largest digital art centre in the world, housed in 4 huge basins of the former WWII submarine base will feature “Venice and its Masters.” A second show is dedicated to Spanish painter Sorolla. bassins-lumieres.com

80th Anniversay of Dieppe Raid

12 March – 19 August. 2022 marks the 80th anniversary of the Raid, and with it the occasion to pay tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought there, many of whom gave their lives fighting for freedom. The ceremonies, commemorations and festivities will take on an international dimension. It will feature parades, festivals, military displays, exhibitions and fireworks throughout the year. junobeach.org

International Kite Festival, Berck, Opal Coast, Pas-de-Calais

23 April – 1 May: International Kite Festival, Berck, Pas-de-Calais. cerf-volant-berck.com

Louvre Lens

6 April – 25 July. The Louvre Lens, the first regional annex of the Louvre Museum in Paris, will mark its 10th anniversary with two major exhibitions. Rome from April 6 to July 25, 2022. Hieroglyphics from September 28, 2022 to January 16, 2023. Lens, which is in Northern France, is easily accessible from Paris in a little over 1 hour by high-speed train. louvrelens.fr

Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie, Dijon

6 May: Burgundy’s beautiful capital city, Dijon, will open the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin. It breathes new life into 15^th and 18^th century buildings on the site of the former historic Hotel-Dieu. A ten-year project, The International City of Gastronomy & Wine is at the starting point of the region’s famous Wine Route which runs from Dijon to Macon via Beaune. Among the highlights will be a gastronomy and wine cultural and training centre. There are new shops and restaurants, cookery classes and wine tasting sessions, a four-star hotel and a 13-screen cinema complex. citedelagastronomie-dijon.fr

Amiens Arts & Gardens Festival

26 May – 16 October: Amiens Hortillonnages Arts and Gardens Festival takes place on a network of medieval waterways and islands in the shadow of the city’s great Gothic Cathedral. Artetjardins-hdf.com

Grotte Cosquer, Marseille

June: Marseille sees a major new opening of a replica of the remarkable underwater prehistoric cave known as the Grotte Cosquer. Hosted at La Villa Méditerranée, an ultra-contemporary building on the old harbour, it will provide an immersive and interactive experience. Discover the original cave’s 500 cave paintings depicting marine animals like penguins plus seals and what seems to be jellyfish, and mammals that roamed in that era. The original cave was lived in as early as 33,000 years ago. The actual cave is located in the mini-fjords between Cassis and Marseille known as the Calanques, specifically in Triperie Calanque, near Cape Morgiou. Grotte-cosquer.com

Le Mans Classic race

30 June-3 July: Le Mans Classic returns after a four-year absence. Expect 600 racing cars on the track in this classic day and night race. Plus 8,500 classic cars displayed in the specially designed enclosures. Lemansclassic.com

Tour de France

1-24 July: Tour de France starting in Copenhagen, Denmark and finishing in the Champs-Elysees Paris. letour.fr

24-31 July: The Woman’s Tour de France returns after an absence of more than 30 years. Start on the day of the final stage 21 of the Men’s Tour. 1028km eight-day race will take in back to back mountain stages as well as gravel sectors, flat stages and more. Starting at the Eiffel Tower and ending atop La Planche des Belles Filles in the Vosges mountains. Letourfemmes.fr

Paris: Maison Gainsbourg

Fans of Serge Gainsbourg will rejoice to know that France’s first cultural institution dedicated to the songwriter Serge Gainsbourg will open in spring.  Mason Gainsbourg includes a museum and bookstore. It will also open Le Gainsbarre, a hybrid space that hosts a café during the day and a piano bar by night. Maisongainsbourg.fr

Seine à Vélo – Paris to Normandy cycle route

The ‘Seine à Vélo’ cycle route was launched in 2021. It follows the River Seine from Paris to Le Havre and Deauville in Normandy. Nationl Geographic awarded it one of the best places to explore in 2022 status! The 270-mile Paris-to-the-sea path passes through some of the region’s most beautiful and famous sites. Giverny – home to Claude Monet’s house and garden, Château-Gaillard at Les Andelys, Jumièges and picture-perfect Honfleur. It also goes through Rouen which was awarded UNESCO gastronomic status in 2021. Laseineavelo.com

Coming up in 2023

Puy du Fou, the award winning, world’s most incredible theme park, launches the world’s longest show on ‘Le Grand Tour’. It’s a 6-day spectacular Grand Tour of France on France’s first private rail company. The train takes a 4000km journey across France on an authentic and luxurious Belle Epoque train. It will take in some of the greatest sights including Champagne and Burgundy, Avignon in Provence, the castles of the Loire Valley, wonderful Lake Annecy and the Arcachon Basin. Find out more: legrandtour.com

What you may have missed in 2021

Paris saw the opening of the historic Hôtel de la Marine, the spectacular Bourse de Commerce | Collection Pinault and the rebirth of La Samaritaine Department Store.

A brand new modern art museum housed in the former stables of the 12th century Royal Abbey of Fontevraud in the Loire was opened. It showcases the private collection (some 900 objects from paintings to sculptures and antiques) of Martine and Léon Cligman.

In the south of France, the long awaited Frank Gehry tower, the crown jewel of the LUMA Foundation in Arles was completed. And in Narbonne, the Musée Narbo Via designed by Norman Foster, who also designed the world famous Millau Viaduct. Featuring a wall of 760 antique stones, the museum brings together over 1,000 antiquities aimed to show the Narbonne’s Roman past when it was known as Narbo Martius.

All information contained here is correct at the time of publication, but we recommend you check with the individual venues for the latest updates, as dates may remain subject to change and events may need to be cancelled or postponed in line with the health situation in France.

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Spring officially starts on March 20, 2023 and festivals and events, as well as blossom, bursts into life all over the country. We take a look at some of the top events in France in March …

What’s on in France in March?

Sarlat: Perigord, Geese Festival Fest’Oie. From 4-5 March 2023, this famous annual festival takes place in the picturesque town of Sarlat and celebrates all things goose! Noisy flocks of geese honking through the medieval city, foie gras tastings, workshops and demonstrations. en.sarlat-tourisme.com

Provence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Alpes Maritime, Festival of Violets 4-5 March 2023. The whole village smells of violets, there are farmers markets, and a violet parade with a battle of the flowers! Held annually first weekend in March. tourrettessurloup.com

Limousin, Limoges: Puces de la Cité. A very lively market with over 100 antique dealers. Held every 2nd Sunday of the month www.tourismelimoges.com

Côte-D’Azur, Nice: Les Printemps des Poètes, 11-27 March 2023. People in Nice go potty for poetry each March. This annual festival sees, and hears, recitals over a two week period in bars, theatres, clubs and cafés all over town. www.printempsdespoetes.com

Pas de Calais, Le Touquet: Car Rally, 16-18 March 2023. The inaugural roudm of the French Rally. Championship is held annually in Le Touquet. It’s a crazy car rally through the countryside and along the coast of Pas de Calais. More than 150 rally drivers converge on the lively seaside resort of Le Touquet for this one www.letouquet.com

Lagouile, Midi-Pyrénées, Aveyron: La Trace du Fromage 12 March 2023. A truly amazing cheese tasting event. www.tourisme-aveyron.com

Aquitaine, Bayonne Ham Fair: TBC. For more than five centuries, the Bayonne Ham Fair has attracted gourmets to a festival of authentic regional produce. There’s also an omelette and ham competition!

Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis: Banlieues Bleues, 24 March – 21 April 2023. Jazz, blues and world music in districts all over Paris. uk.tourisme93.com/banlieue-bleue-festival

Gers, Le saint Mont, Vignoble en Fete, 24 March – 26 March 2023. Winegrowers demonstrate their knowledge and products to visitors. Held annually, last weekend of March. www.mairie-saintmont.com

Please note: We check every website for dates and details personally but changes do happen from time to time – please check website for confirmation. 

The post Top events in France in March appeared first on The Good Life France.

We look at some of the top events in France in February from celebration days to festivals, fairs, carnivals and more…

Celebration days in France in February

La Chandeleur – Pancake Day in France: 2 February 2023. La Chandeleur or Crêpe Day is the day in France when people traditionally eat crêpes and drink cider! Here’s how to make the perfect French pancake/crêpe.

La Saint Valentin – Valentine’s Day in France: 14^th February 2023.

Events in France in February

Alpes Maritimes: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Mimosa Festival 8-12 February 2023. Spring is in the air and in Mandelieu-La-Napoule millions of sweet smelling Mimosa flowers known as “yellow suns” bloom. Parades, processions, singing and dancing, this joyous event signals the end to winter in the south of France. www.ot-mandelieu.fr

Enduropale, Pas de Calais: 3-5 February 2023. Fast paced, wild bike racing on the beaches at Le Touquet, Stella and Merlimont. This is a fun packed weekend in which thousands of bikes and hundreds of quad bikes are involved in a race circuit on the beach. It’s noisy and exciting. More than 150,000 people turn up each year to watch and cheer the racers on. www.enduropaledutouquet.fr/

Calais: 3-5 February 2023. Pas de Calais Wine and Food Fair. A weekend extravaganza at the Forum Gambetta. Wine producers from all over France converge to present their wares supported by regional food producers. Get free tickets and a personal tasting glass here: www.salon-des-vignerons.com

Granville: Normandy, Granville Mardi Gras, 17-21 February 2023. Celebrated since 1872, this carnival began as a feast prepared by the wives of fishermen leaving to catch cod, just like the Dunkirk Carnival. These days it’s all about fun and having a good time. There are parades, all night drinking, wearing masks and making friends as thousands arrive for this very popular five day event. www.carnaval-de-granville.fr

Dunkirk: Carnival – throughout February and into early March, Dunkirk bursts into song and dance with locals and visitors for the carnival, 10 February – 5 March, 2023. This has to be one of the loudest and most fun carnivals in Europe especially when the Mayor throws herrings off his balcony into the crowds! www.dunkerque-tourisme.fr

Nice: Nice Carnival 10-26  February 2023. Processions, flower parades and flower battles, rock, pop, fireworks and giants. Over a million people flock to Nice to join in the fun heralding the start of spring. One of the most glamorous of all the French carnivals. www.nicecarnaval.com

Menton: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Lemon Festival of Menton 11-26 February 2023. This amazing fruity festival features immense structures built with thousands of lemons and oranges. It’s one of the most popular festivals in the region and attracts many thousands of visitors from all over the world. www.fete-du-citron.com

Please note: We check every website for dates and details personally but changes do happen from time to time – please check websites for confirmation.

The post Top Events in France in February appeared first on The Good Life France.

A look at some of the top events in France in January – just because it’s cold out doesn’t meant there’s nothing going on!

National holidays and Celebration days in January in France

New Year’s Day 1st January is a national holiday in France

Celebration day: La Fête des Rois. It’s traditional to eat a special cake called the Galette des Rois on 6th January, the day of the Epiphany. You’ll see these scrumptious cakes in every patisserie in France. Inside the cake a lucky charm is hidden – the fève, and the person who finds the charm in his or her slice of cake, is crowned king or queen for a day! If you want to make one at home, here’s a recipe for Galette des Rois

Top Events in January in France

Aude: Carnival de Limoux from mid January to Easter! It’s the longest carnival in France and has been going for around 700 years! Taking place at a town 30km from Carcarsonne, the carnival features each weekend, fecos and goudils (masked people) who dance and perform in the city’s main square and a set parade with different themes. 15 January – 26 March, 2023. Details: www.tourisme-limoux-in-aude.fr/fr/accueil

The Sales – Les Soldes d’Hiver. The annual winter sales, which are set according to law, take place from 11 January 2023 for up to 8 weeks. What better excuse for a spot of shopping. You’ll find bargains galore in big stores, shopping outlets and small independents throughout the country. The price drops get bigger towards the end of the sales period.

Avignon, Provence – Horse Passion: 18-22 January 2023. Horses are put through their paces with show jumping events, polo, dressage and carriage driving. It all takes place in the lovely city of Avignon. Details on: www.provenceguide.co.uk

Sarlat Truffle Festival, Dordogne: A big truffle market tales place over the weekend of 14-15 January 2023 in the enchanting medieval town of Sarlat, Dordogne. Expect to indulge in truffle flavoured gourmet specialities, music and festivities including workshops. And take home a couple of truffles, you can get them at a good price at the market. While you’re there, why not try a spot of truffle hunting yourself, it’s huge fun! Deatils: www.sarlat-tourisme.com

Paris, Chinese New Year in Paris 22 January 2023 – join in the fun and celebrations in this beautiful city, celebrating the year of the rat, with a colourful parade through the Quartier Chinois stretching between the Place d’Italie and the Porte de Choisy in the 13th Arrondissement. Metro: Place d’Italie. en.parisinfo.com

Angoulême, Poitou-Charentes: 50th edition of the Festival International de la Bande Dessinée 26-29 January 2023. This homage to comics, much loved by the French, draws huge crowds of fans to the vibrant, arty city of Angouleme. There are competitions for amateurs and enthusiasts and you can get to meet the professionals, watch them work and ask questions. The famous comic museum is an absolutely must see for all fans of the art. www.bdangouleme.com/

Burgundy: Saint Vincent Tournante – 28-29 January 2023. Each year a Burgundian town is chosen to host the introduction of the last year’s vintage to visitors. After nearly 40 years, COUCHEY, a village in the Côte de Nuits, will host the Saint-Vincent Tournante for the second time, for its 79th edition, . A fun weekend to eat and drink your way through. www.burgundy-tourism.com

La Folle Journee Nantes, Pays de la Loire, is a major international music festival that lasts for 5 days during which around 250 classical music concerts are held. 1 – 5 February 2023. www.follejournee.fr/

Please note: We check every website for dates and details personally but changes do happen from time to time – please check website for confirmation.

The post Top Events in France in January appeared first on The Good Life France.