April
2005 Calendar of Events |
April
Fool's Day
France (Paris)
1 April 2005 (Every year)
Watch your back if you're in France on April Fool's Day. Tradition
has it that paper fish are stuck on the backs of the unsuspecting
- hence the name "poisson d'Avril," or April fish. |
École
de Dance - Annual Show
France (Paris)
29 March - 1 April 2005 (Various dates)
The Paris Dance School presents its annual performance at the Opéra
Bastille, featuring the work of George Balanchine, José Martinez
and a number of French composers. |
Rencontres
Audiovisuelles
France (Lille)
25 March - 2 April 2005 (Every year)
The annual Rencontres Audiovisuelles festival returns to Lille for
the fifth year in 2005. A celebration of sound, light and the moving
image, screenings take place in various venues across the town. |
Amiens
Jazz Festival
France (Picardie)
11 March - 2 April 2005 (Every year)
The Amiens Jazz Festival has enjoyed great popularity over the years
and has been expanded to include other towns in the region (Tergnier,
Montataire, Abbeville and Gamaches included), before coming to Amiens
for the grand finale of six days of toe-tapping and head nodding. |
d'Affolaï
France (Paris)
2 April 2005 (1st Sat of every month)
The Rex Club in Paris serves up its monthly offering of old-school
house music, d'Affolaï. |
Rendez-Vous
at Queen
France (Paris)
2 April 2005 (1st Sat of every month)
It's party time at Queen every first Saturday of the month, when international
stars come to the Parisian club for guest nights and themed nights
for a predominantly gay crowd. |
Bellows
Festival
France (Nontron)
2-3 April 2005 (Every year)
It's no April Fool - in early April, the town of Nontron celebrates
the Bellows Festival (le Carnaval des Soufflets), dressed up in nightshirts,
cotton caps, clogs, masks and, last but not least, carrying the all-important
bellows. |
Aix-en-Provence
Old Book Market
France (Aix-en-Provence)
3 April 2005 (1st Sun of every month)
On the first Sunday of every month lovers of literature can enjoy
a browse through some old and rare books in the Place de l'Hotel de
Ville in the scenic Provencal town of Aix-en-Provence. Aix itself
has a rich literary heritage, boasting the world's number one Naturalist
novelist - Emile Zola - as one of its sons. [Go
Top] |
Brocante
Market (Bric-a-Brac Fair)
France (Bergerac)
3 April 2005 (1st Sun of every month)
On the first Sunday morning of the month outside Saint Jacques church
in the beautiful old square of La Place Pélissière,
a bric-a-brac fair is held. Come along to peruse the contents of people's
attics and to see what little odds and ends you might turn up amongst
the clutter. |
Apple
and Farm-Food Market
France (St Opportune la Mare)
3 April 2005 (1st Sun of every month)
St Opportune la Mare's market, held on the first Sunday of every month,
offers local produce including apples, camembert cheese and apple
cider. |
De
l'encre à l'écran (From Ink To Screen)
France (Tours)
30 March - 3 April 2005 (Starts final Wed of
every Mar)
Studio Cinémas in Tours presents a festival focusing on the
connections between literature and film, as well as screening silent
films with musical accompaniment. |
VW
Beetle Exhibition
France (Berck Sur Mer)
2-3 April 2005 (Every year)
Hundreds of Volkswagen fanatics and Beetle lovers congregate once
a year in Berck Sur Mer to discuss and admire each others' cars, eat
sausages and drink wine. |
Flea
Market
France (Reims)
3 April 2005 tbc (1st Sun of every month)
Antique and bric-a-brac dealers from all over the region congregate
each month in Reims' Exhibition Centre to present their second-hand
objects, antiques and clothes. A delight for bargain hunters. |
Robert
Casadesus Piano Festival
France (Lille)
1-3 April 2005 (Every year)
Now in its second year, there's lots to discover at this prestigious
piano gathering at Le Nouveau Siecle in Lille, directed by Jean-Claude
Casadesus. After its success in 2004, the festival is back with a
great new line-up of concerts, recitals, chamber music and shows for
children featuring international artists, winners of the Cleveland
Prize and new talent. |
French
Winegrowers and Farmers Spring Fair
France (Marseille )
2-4 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
This popular spring fair, held at Marseille's Parc Chanot exhibition
centre, draws up to 25,000 enthusiasts with its displays of fine wine
and farm-made foods (chocolate, honey, foie gras, saucissons...) from
all the French regions. |
Paris
Film Festival
France (Paris)
28 March - 4 April 2005 (Every year)
The Paris Film Festival is a much less industry-oriented affair than
those of certain other capitals; in the great French tradition, it's
aimed at le grand public rather than just the movers and shakers of
the movie business. The centre of the action is in the heart of Paris,
at the large Cinéma Gaumont Marignan on the Champs-Elysées. |
Toulouse
International Fair
France (Toulouse)
25 March - 4 April 2005 (Every year)
Each year the Toulouse International Fair, held at the Parc des Expositions,
brings together several hundred exhibitors, new exhibition areas,
activities and entertainment, attracting over 150,000 visitors. This
year's theme is "Aeronautics." |
Gloubi
Boulga Night
France (Lyon )
4-5 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
Gloubi Boulga nights are devoted to animation, showing all those cartoons
that have entertained generations of children in a mammoth all night
session, lasting until about 3am. The event takes place at La Bourse
du Travail in Lyon. [Go Top] |
Arras
Market
France (Arras)
5 April 2005 (Every week; Wed, Fri and Sat only)
This traditional morning market takes place in the central squares
of Arras, the Grand'Place and adjoining Place des Héros. This
is where the locals come to get their farm churned butter, unpasteurised
cheeses (including the local Maroilles) spit-roasted chickens, fresh
vegetables, oysters and freshly caught fish. Although the market takes
place on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings, it's biggest on
Saturday. |
Marché
de Franc
France (Noyon)
5 April 2005 (1st Tue of every month)
Every month, Noyon's principal streets and the Place de l'Hotel de
Ville are taken over by the Marché de Franc, a large provincial
market which sells fruit, vegetables, seasonal flowers, wine, champagne
and clothes. |
Massive
France (Paris)
6 April 2005 tbc (1st Wed of every month)
The Rex Club brings drum & bass to Paris during this free monthly
club night. DJs bring in the hardcore beats and whip the crowd into
a frenzy. |
La
Scara
France (Val d'Isère)
4-7 April 2005 (Every year)
The fabulous French resort of Val d'Isère gives raw, new talent
a chance to shine at this International Alpine Skiing Competition
for 12 to 15-year-olds. |
Méli'môme
Festival
France (Reims)
20 March - 8 April 2005 (Every year)
Reims' Méli'môme festival features around 200 performances
of theatre, stories, contemporary dance, music and opera for children
and their parents. |
Jazz
Night
France (Caen)
8 April 2005 (Every year)
The annual Nuit de Jazz is an important date on the jazz aficionado's
calendar in Caen. Every year since 1994, top musicians have played
at the Caen Theatre to great acclaim. |
International
Youth Cinema Festival
France (Laon)
30 March - 9 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
More than one hundred films are shown during this three week festival.
From short films to premières, vintage films and limited editions,
there is something for both young and old. |
Puces
de Brest
France (Brest)
9 April 2005 (2nd Sat of every month)
This flea market held in the streets around covered market, Les Halles
Saint-Louis sees the residents of Brest turn out their attics to unearth
odds and sods and the odd gem. Expect 1950s gramophones, old records,
books, clothes and more. |
Vendôme
International Guitar Festival
France (Vendôme )
7-10 April 2005 (Every year)
Vendôme's annual guitar festival welcomes maestros from all
over Europe and beyond for a spring celebration. |
The
Pharaohs
France (Paris)
15 October 2004 - 10 April 2005 (not Mon)
After landing in Venice, the Pharaohs arrive in Paris at the Institut
du Monde Arabe. Around 300 pieces from all over the world have been
gathered to offer a sumptuous look at the megalomania so characteristc
of ancient Egypt. Akhenaton and Co have all made the journey to France
to show off their splendour and lavishness - it would be a shame not
to pay your respects. [Go Top] |
Three
Valleys Grand Challenge
France (Trois Vallées )
10 April 2005 (Every year)
The main resorts in the Trois Vallées region combine to great
effect for one day a year as they organise the Three Valleys Grand
Challenge. Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel, Brides les Bains, Les Menuires
and Val Thorens are the participating towns. |
Tambourin
Festival (Festamb')
France (Aix-en-Provence)
7-10 April 2005 (Every year)
The galoubet and tambourin are instruments that symbolise the musical
spirit of Provence. This festival in Aix-en-Provence gathers people
passionate about music and the region, providing true insight into
local life and customs. |
Festival
du Film Policier
France (Cognac)
7-10 April 2005 (Every year)
As well as being famed for its eponymous and reviving drink, Cognac
is well-known for its annual festival devoted to crime thrillers and
detective stories on film. |
Némo
Festival
France (Paris)
5-10 April 2005 (Every year)
The Némo Festival at the Forum des Images screens a panorama
of films produced by young, independent filmmakers, supported by THECIF
- The Ile-de-France Film and Theatre Association. |
Russian
Festival
France (Marseille )
15 March - 10 April 2005 (Every year)
The Théâtre Toursky on the outskirts of Marseille presents
its annual celebration of all things Russian, with plays, film, cabaret
and exhibitions relating to the former USSR. |
Antiques
Market: Puces de la Cité
France (Limoges)
10 April 2005 (2nd Sun of every month)
This lively market is a hub for over 100 antique dealers, who bring
their wares from all over France to the Place de la Cathedrale in
Limoges on every second Sunday of the month. |
Paris
Marathon
France (Paris)
10 April 2005 (Every year)
While the Paris Marathon lacks the international profile of the London
Marathon, its wonderful course offers runners the opportunity to take
in the sights of some of Paris' most famous landmarks. |
Estissac
Food Festival
France (Estissac)
9-10 April 2005 tbc (Starts 2nd Sat of every Apr)
This event takes place in a rural windmill at the edge of a river
in Estissac. On Saturday at 7pm, and again on Sunday at midday, up
to 2,000 people sit down for a massive slap-up meal. |
Toulouse
Paper and Toy Market
France (Toulouse)
11 April 2005 tbc (2nd Mon of every month; Mon
only)
For all those wannabe rag and bone men out there: if you're one of
those people who hoard rubbish, come and meet some like-minded souls!
On the second Monday of each month, this unusual market provides a
forum for the exchange and sale of old toys and papers. |
Gloubi
Boulga Night
France (Lille)
11 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
Gloubi Boulga nights are devoted to animation, showing all those cartoons
that have entertained generations of children in a mammoth session
lasting until about 3am. In Lille, the Zenith Arena hosts the fun.
[Go Top] |
Les
Festes d'Orphée (Sacred Music Festival)
France (Aix-en-Provence)
30 March - 11 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
The city of Aix-en-Provence organises this annual feast of Baroque
music, performed by the Ensemble of the Festes d'Orphée. |
SNIM
- International Nautical Week in Marseille
France (Marseille )
9-12 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
The SNIM is the only international regatta organised in the Mediterranean.
The high-profile competition, which has taken place since 1965, brings
together over 200 boats and the great stars of the world of sailing
in the waters around Marseille. |
Foire
des Rameaux
France (Grenoble)
23 March - 12 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
Grenoble's Esplanade is transformed into a sea of lights and whirring
rides when the Foire des Rameaux (Easter Fair) takes over the town.
Over 50 fairground rides, along with the chance to munch on candyfloss
and toffee apples, make the fair a must for anyone with children in
the Alps this spring. |
Cherbourg-Octeville
Festival of Irish and British Film
France (Cherbourg-Octeville)
5-12 April 2005 (Every year)
This unique festival in Cherbourg-Octeville offers the chance for
young British and Irish filmmakers to get distribution for their work
throughout France. |
Ice-Diving
in Tignes Lake
France (Tignes)
14 December 2004 - 13 April 2005 (Every year)
See a frozen lake from the other side as you dive through a hole in
the ice. Professional ice-divers at Tignes' Evolution 2 extreme sports
school ensure that it's all perfectly safe. |
Banlieues
Bleues
France (Paris)
11 March - 16 April 2005 (Every year)
More than a simple blues or jazz festival, Banlieues Bleues brings
together the old and the new in a celebration of music that lights
up the Seine St Denis suburb of north-east Paris. |
Boulogne
Organic Food Market
France (Paris)
16 April 2005 (3rd Sat of every month)
France is one of the largest world consumers of organic produce. Any
visitor requiring hard evidence should head for the Marché
Boulogne, one of Paris' numerous Bio Marché, a haven of fresh
produce ranging from craft cheeses, fruits and vegetables to charcuterie. |
Poptime
France (Paris)
16 April 2005 (3rd Sat of every month)
With its jugs of beer, happy hour specials and a sweatpit of a dance
floor, the Pop In has made its name as one of Paris' most popular
hang-outs for the indie and pop community, be they gay or straight.
In response to demand from the gay clientèle, a monthly gay
night has been a feature of the Pop In calendar since 1999. |
Lyon
Marathon France Télécom
France (Lyon )
17 April 2005 (Every year)
One way of exploring the UNESCO-listed site of Lyon's Renaissance
quarter and its three wooded parks is to run through it during the
annual marathon. Some 10,000 people take part each year, and around
100,000 watch. |
Scallop
Festival
France (Erquy)
16-17 April 2005 (Every year)
Erquy prides itself on being the capital of the scallop - or Coquille
Saint-Jacques - with a prime fishing spot for the marine delicacy.
Two days each year are devoted to the mighty Coquille, with visitors
able to partake in everything from fishing trips to full-on feasts.
[Go Top] |
International
Kite Festival
France (Berck Sur Mer)
8-17 April 2005 (Every year)
Berck sur Mer hosts Europe's biggest kite festival, bringing together
kite flyers from China, Australia, the United States and all of Europe. |
Kite
Buggying Race
France (Berck Sur Mer)
8-17 April 2005 (Every year)
If you're into extreme sports, head off to Berck-sur-mer in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
for this high-class, high thrills kite buggying competition. |
Kontum
Snowboard
France (Trois Vallées )
16-17 April 2005 (Every year)
Created by a local ski instructor who was originally from Vietnam,
the Kontum Snowboard weekend aims to raise money for the AAMEV (Association
for Help to the Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam). Participants include
snowboard champion Serge Vitelli. In the evening, there is the chance
to sample Vietnamese music and cuisine. All proceeds go to AAMEV. |
Bordeaux
Book Fair
France (Bordeaux)
15-17 April 2005 (Every year)
New national and regional titles are presented amid lively debate
to a culture-hungry, 30,000-strong crowd at Bordeaux's annual book
fair, held throughout the streets of the town. |
Spa
Treatment in the Val d'Isère
France (Val d'Isère)
3 December 2004 - 18 April 2005 (Every year)
After a hard day's skiing, it's time to relax. The Christiania Hotel's
fitness centre offers the muscle-calming benefits of sauna, steambath,
massage rooms, facials and sun beds. For those wishing to pump their
muscles or just stretch out, there's also an exercise room and an
indoor pool. After a couple of hours of spa treatment, you'll be all
set for the next day's skiing. |
Gay
and Lesbian Film Festival
France (Grenoble)
12-19 April 2005 (Every year)
Grenoble's annual gay and lesbian film festival offers film lovers
the chance to travel the world and explore gay issues from the comfort
of their cinema seat. Screenings take place at the Amphi 11 and Cinéma
le Club. |
Gloubi
Boulga Night
France (Clermont-Ferrand)
19 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
Gloubi Boulga nights are devoted to animation, showing all those cartoons
that have entertained generations of children in a mammoth all-night
session, lasting until about 3am at the Maison de la Culture in Clermont-Ferrand. |
Classical
Music Festival
France (Val d'Isère)
19-21 April 2005 (Every year)
Throw down your skis and open your ears to Val d'Isère's annual
classical music festival, MusicaVal. This series of evening concerts,
held each year as the winter season comes to a close, takes place
in the local St-Bernard de Menthon Church or the spacious Congress
Centre. |
Notre-Dame
des Neiges - Alpe d'Huez
France (Alpe d'Huez)
26 December 2004 - 22 April 2005 tbc (Every
Thu)
The association Orgues et Montagnes has organised a concert at Notre-Dame
des Neiges in Alpe d'Huez every Thursday since the construction of
the magnificent organ there in 1978. The huge instrument is known
in France and abroad for the quality of its construction and the originality
of its case. |
World
Speed Skiing / KL Championships
France (Les Arcs)
18-23 April 2005 (Every year)
Arguably the most spectacular event in the winter sports calendar,
the grand final of the speed skiing season returns to its spiritual
home in Les Arcs. [Go Top] |
Festival
of Short Shorts
France (Paris)
22-24 April 2005 (Every year)
If you have something to say - say it succinctly! The Festival of
Short Shorts, held at the Forum des Images in Paris, offers the chance
to discover an original programme of some 50 short films, each lasting
less than three minutes. If your attention span is limited, it's a
must! |
Festival
of the Imagination
France (Paris)
7 March - 24 April 2005
A festival devoted to the music and cultural styles of peoples across
the globe makes its annual appearance in Paris' Maison des Cultures
du Monde with artists and speakers from Chechnya to Saudi Arabia taking
part. |
Citadels
Open Day
France (Lille)
23-24 April 2005 (Starts final Sun of every
Apr)
For one Sunday each spring the cities and towns of the far north of
France open the doors to the stupendous collection of historic fortifications
which formerly guarded the frontier. |
Somme
Bay Bird Festival
France (Abbeville)
16-24 April 2005 (Every year)
Bird lovers flock to the shores of the Baie de Somme near Abbeville
in northern France for the annual Bird Festival, which offers documentary
films, exhibitions, guided walks and activities for children. The
highlight for many is the bird-call competition, but there are also
contests for still photography and motion pictures. |
The
Amiens Réderie
France (Amiens)
24 April 2005 tbc (Various dates)
One of the oldest and largest street markets in northern France, the
Amiens Réderie fills the streets near the Beffroi monument
in the city centre with antiques, bric-a-brac and the contents of
several attics! |
Laval
Virtual
France (Laval)
20-24 April 2005 (Every year)
Every April the town of Laval, in north-western France, becomes the
capital of virtual reality. Visitors can explore different worlds
and tap into other dimensions during this five-day exhibition at the
Salle Polyvalente. |
Printemps
de Bourges
France (Bourges)
19-24 April 2005 (Every year)
This spring rock festival takes centre stage in bars, restaurants,
clubs and outdoor spaces in the beautiful heritage town of Bourges
in the Loire Valley. |
Sunday
School! Sunday is Cool!
France (Paris)
24 April 2005 (final Sun of every month)
Music venue and club La Tabendo hosts a monthly Sunday chillout which
extends a warm welcome to families and children as well as clubbers. |
Citadels
Open Day
France (Arras)
25 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
For one Sunday each spring the cities and towns of the far north of
France, in this case Arras, open the doors to the stupendous collection
of historic fortifications which formerly guarded the frontier. |
Citadels
Open Day
France (Le Quesnoy)
25 April 2005 tbc (Every year)
For one Sunday each spring the cities and towns of the far north of
France, in this case Le Quesnoy, open the doors to the stupendous
collection of historic fortifications which formerly guarded the frontier.
[Go Top] |
Jacopo
Ligozzi
France (Paris)
27 January - 25 April 2005 (not Tue)
In keeping with its Italian theme for the beginning of the year, the
Louvre presents a selection of drawings by Jacopo Ligozzi, a draughtsman
at the Court of the Médicis. |
International
Film Festival - Adventure and Discovery
France (Val d'Isère)
25-28 April 2005 (Every year)
Pioneering travellers who have undertaken daring journeys - and filmed
them - show their adventures to audiences in the appropriate setting
of the Val d'Isère ski resort, at the Centre de Congrès. |
Scarecrow
Festival
France (Moringhem)
1-30 April 2005 (Every year)
One day in 1989, the inhabitants of Moringhem woke up to see the streets
of their village invaded with scarecrows (known as épeutnaerts
in the local dialect). Thanks to their mayor, this has now become
an annual event and something of a popular attraction. |
Montpellier
Football Club
France (Montpellier)
6 August 2004 - 30 April 2005 (Every year)
Montpellier Herault Sport Club (otherwise known as Montpellier FC),
are set for another up and down season in the French First Division. |
Lille
Football Club
France (Lille)
6 August 2004 - 30 April 2005 (Every year)
With the town of Lille having been chosen as city of culture for 2004,
the football will need to be especially flamboyant and entertaining
to entice the culture vultures towards the Stade Grimonprez-Jooris. |
Toulouse
Football Club
France (Toulouse)
6 August 2004 - 30 April 2005 (Every year)
Newly-promoted to the French First Division last season, Toulouse
play their home matches at the Stade Municipal. |
La
Plagne
France (La Plagne)
11 December 2004 - 30 April 2005 (Every year)
Stretching across the north and south faces of the peaks around the
Bellecote glacier, La Plagne and its ten individual village resorts
offer a wide range of possibilities for both skiing and après-ski. |
Contemporary
Mary Magdalene
France (Lille)
3 February - 30 April 2005 (not Mon or Tue)
From The Passion of Christ to the Da Vinci Code, the figure of Mary
Magdalene has always been surrounded by intrigue and mystery. In this
exhibition at the Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, 21 artists have
come together through painting, sculpture, video and photography to
investigate what she represents today. |
Les
Estivales du Rire
France (Dinard)
27 April - 1 May 2005 (Every year)
If you're one of those people who think that the French have no sense
of humour, make your way to the classy town of Dinard in Brittany
for a festival devoted to rib-tickling comedy of the Francophone variety. |
Concèze
Flower Festival
France (Concèze )
30 April - 1 May 2005 (Every year)
Every year during the flower festival the 12th-century church in the
tiny village of Concèze is decked out in flowers following
a particular theme. [Go Top] |
Hardy
Plant Show
France (Saint Jean de Beauregard)
30 April - 2 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
A short way from Paris, the domain of Saint-Jean de Beauregard is
known not just for its 17th-century Château, but also for its
flowered vegetable gardens à la française and prestigious
plant shows. The spring show is dedicated to rare flowers and the
theme is bulbs. |
Holiday
on Ice - Hollywood
France (Lille)
30 April - 2 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
Lights, camera, action! The story of Hollywood is the theme for this
year's new ice show from the hit entertainment troupe Holiday on Ice.
They perform here at Lille's Zenith Arena. |
Salon
des Antiquaires
France (Honfleur)
30 April - 2 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
One of France's largest antique fairs takes place at the exceptional
Greniers a Sel, a classified historical monument in the town of Honfleur. |
Ice
Skating in Morzine
France (Morzine-Avoriaz)
6 December 2004 - 2 May 2005 (Every year)
When you've had enough of skiing, put on your skates and try out Morzine's
covered ice rink, located in the large Parc des Sports building in
the centre of the Savoyard ski resort. |
Foire
de Calais
France (Calais)
28 April - 2 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
Each year the Foire de Calais settles along the western coast of the
city for five days of activities and exhibitions. Over 25,000 people
gather in Calais during this festive period. |
Les
Chalandises
France (Chartres)
30 April - 4 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
This hugely popular annual consumer fair at Chartres Expos is the
place to buy fashion, furniture, gourmet food and wine at attractive
prices. Some 11,500 visitors are expected to attend this year's event,
held a short drive from the great Chartres Cathedral. |
Deauville
Easter Festival
France (Deauville)
23 April - 7 May 2005 (Every year)
Music fills the air this spring as the coastal resort of Deauville
in Lower Normandy welcomes the return of the magnificent classical
concerts forming part of the Festival de Pâques. |
Jazz
sous les Pommiers
France (Coutances)
30 April - 7 May 2005 (Every year)
Normandy's most important annual music event, Jazz sous les Pommiers
(Jazz under the Apple Trees) takes place in the medieval town of Coutances.
Music takes over the streets, churches and cafés, but as in
any French festival there's always time for other pastimes, including
plenty of oyster eating. |
Sleigh
Riding
France (Val d'Isère)
27 November 2004 - 8 May 2005 (Every year)
Skiing takes effort. Why not let Husky and Samoyede dogs do all the
work for you while you relax in a sleigh as the snowy mountains rush
past. This trip from Val d'Isère takes you to the quiet ski
resort of Sainte Foy (some 10km away) and then to the typical Savoyard
village of Le Monal before returning back to base. |
Andy
Warhol - The Late Work
France (Lyon)
28 January - 8 May 2005 (not Mon or Tue)
This major exhibition at Lyon's Musée d'Art Contemporain, comprising
over 200 pieces, offers a chance to discover the late works of Andy
Warhol, many of them rarely shown to the public. It includes not only
paintings and prints but also photographs, videos, films, books and
interviews. [Go Top] |
Luberon
Jazz Festival
France (Luberon)
30 April - 8 May 2005 (Every year)
Created in 1991, the Luberon Jazz Festival takes place each year in
small towns and villages throughout the Luberon area, which lies east
of Avignon. |
Parasailing
France (Val d'Isère)
27 November 2004 - 8 May 2005 (Every year)
Those seeking a thrill can try parasailing in the resort of Val d'Isère.
Sailing through the ice-blue air accompanied by an experienced parasailer
with an incomparable view of the fantastic surrounding landscape is
an amazing experience. Flights take place from the Tête de Solaise,
easily reached by chairlift. |
Bordeaux
International Fair
France (Bordeaux)
30 April - 9 May 2005 (Every year)
The Bordeaux International Fair returns to the Parc des Expositions,
featuring exhibitions on interior design and decoration, the environment
and agriculture, as well as cultural events. |
Spring
Fair
France (Bordeaux)
24 April - 9 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
The Spring Fair in the Place des Quinconces is an annual tradition
in Bordeaux, offering the unlikely combination of antiques, plants
and ham. |
Paul
Cox - Jeu de Construction
France (Paris)
16 February - 9 May 2005 (not Tue)
This workshop, aimed at children under ten, is a chance for budding
town-planners and architects to put their ideas into practice. |
Dionysiac
France (Paris)
16 February - 9 May 2005 (not Tue)
The Dionysiac exhibition is a collective effort by some 14 international
artists, including John Bock, Paul McCarthy, Jason Rhoades and Fabrice
Hyber. It does not have a particular theme but is more of a reflection
on a similar artistic outlook. Each artist has produced a specific
piece of work for the show, with work in many different media. |
Easter
Funfair
France (Caen)
16 April - 9 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
During the Foire de Pacques (Easter Fair) more than 130 stalls and
rides are set up at Caen's Parc des Expositions for kids and their
parents. Try the latest sensation, eat toffee apples and generally
live it up at this annual adrenalin injection, the biggest fair of
its kind in Normandy. |
Gina
Pane
France (Paris)
16 February - 16 May 2005 (not Tue)
Gina Pane is one of the leading figures in French corporal art. This
retrospective at the Centre Pompidou looks at her work through various
installations, sculptures, videos and photographs. |
Foire
du Trône
France (Paris)
27 March - 29 May 2005 tbc (Every year)
Europe's largest temporary funfair with an estimated five million
visitors annually, this massive event has roots stretching back to
the 12th century - and a gang of pigs terrorising the streets of Paris.
[Go Top] |
Dreaming
and Drawing
France (Paris)
17 February - 16 May 2005 (not Tue)
Through a pairing of Old Masters and modern work, this exhibition
at the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou seeks to explore the relationship
between the dream world and that of the techniques employed in the
world of drawing. |
Brutality
of Fact
France (Paris)
1 March - 30 May 2005 (not Tue)
The Musée National Picasso shows a selection of paintings by
Francis Bacon that reflect Picasso's influence on the British artist. |
Romanesque
France
France (Paris)
10 March - 6 June 2005 (not Tue)
The French Romanesque period stretched from the mid-10th century to
the mid-12th century, producing some of the richest art of the period
in Europe. The first exhibition of its kind at the Louvre, Romanesque
France presents this spectacular heritage with a diverse collection
of illuminated manuscripts, reliquaries, precious objects and reliefs. |
Le
Concert de l'Hostel Dieu
France (Lyon )
18 October 2004 - 8 June 2005 (Every year)
Founded and directed by Franck-Emmanuel Comte, Le Concert de l'Hostel
Dieu is an organisation of professional musicians playing on period
instruments, who perform regularly in various venues around Lyon. |
Felix
Bracquemond: From Japanese Decorative Art to Art Nouveau
France (Limoges)
30 March - 26 June 2005 (not Tue)
This exhibition at the Musée National Adrien Dubouche includes
about 200 individual pieces and is a broad retrospective of the lithographer,
etcher, painter and designer Felix Bracquemond (1833-1914). |
Brazilian
Indian Art
France (Paris)
22 March - 27 June 2005 (not Tue)
The Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais hosts an impressive exhibition
on the life of Brazilian indian cultures, featuring ceramics, objects
made out of bone, wood, feathers, shells and straw, photographs of
body paintings and images of Brazil. |
Official
Neighbours
France (Lille)
12 March - 27 June 2005
The Museum of Contemporary Arts of the Grand Hornu in Belgium has
kindly loaned part of its collection to the Museum of Modern Art in
Lille. The act of hosting the collection in turn led to a discussion
on hospitality, a little-explored virtue which is now the guiding
theme of the exhibition. |
Musée
du Papier
France (Angoulême)
1 September 2004 - 30 June 2005 (Various dates)
The historic town of Angoulême is the setting for this Paper
Museum. Recently renovated, the site was the home of Lacroix's 18th-century
paper mill and later Joseph Bardou's cigarette paper factory. Nowadays,
the river Charente flows through several of the museum's galleries. |
Folies
de Paris Cabaret
France (Lille)
9 September 2004 - 23 July 2005 (Every year;
not Mon)
You won't find a more impressive cabaret in Lille than the Folies
de Paris. From Tuesday to Sunday 20 artistes clad in little more than
the odd sequin dance and sing in the grand cabaret tradition. |
Oceanopolis
France (Brest)
1 April - 31 August 2005 (Various dates)
This vast aquarium in the port of Brest offers a brilliant day out
for a family or marine-minded individual. There are 42 different aquariums
of varying sizes (from 50,000 to 1 million litres), designed to reflect
the diversity of the world's oceans. [Go Top] |
Exotic
Dolls
France (Josselin)
15 April - 14 September 2005 (Every year)
Get back to your childhood at the doll museum in the historic town
of Josselin in Brittany. The summer exhibition welcomes dolls from
every corner of the globe - from the Navajo Indians to Madagascar,
Sudan to the Hopi Indians. |
Algae
Discovery Centre
France (Roscoff)
20 September 2002 - 20 September 2005
Roscoff, believe it or not, presides over one of the most important
areas of algae and seaweed in the world, thanks to the Gulf Stream,
which allows a vast number of the species to flourish. The Discovery
Centre takes the visitor on a journey through the biology, history
and uses of algae with video screenings, a slide lecture and the chance
to go algae-spotting yourself with the resident experts. |
Château
de Blois Spectacular
France (Blois)
10 April - 26 September 2005 tbc (Every year)
The Château de Blois, a jewel of Renaissance architecture in
the Loire Valley, tells its rich history through a fabulous Son et
Lumière (sound and light) spectacle. |
Château
de Beaumesnil
France (Beaumesnil)
1 April - 30 September 2005 tbc (Every year;
not Tue, Wed or Thu)
The Château de Beaumesnil is a genuine fairy-tale castle, a
superb Baroque building surrounded by water and luscious gardens. |
La
Maison de la Beurière
France (Boulogne-sur-Mer)
1 April - 30 September 2005 tbc (Every year;
Wed, Sat and Sun only)
The Maison de la Beurière is a small museum located in the
former seamen's district of Boulogne-sur-Mer. |
Parc
Asterix
France (Plailly)
3 April - 11 October 2005 tbc (Every year)
Deeply rooted in the imaginary world of the famous cartoon strip,
Parc Astérix offers visitors a humorous and eventful day out.
Two million people flock to the park every year to enjoy the many
Gaulish rides and attractions. |
Princes'
Kitchen Garden
France (Chantilly)
29 March - 14 October 2005 tbc (Every year)
In the heart of charming Chantilly, right next to the town's captivating
château, lies a well-kept secret - the idyllic, recently reinvigorated
Potager des Princes (Princes' Kitchen Gardens), which open each year
with a Festival of Daffodils. Over 100,000 flowers announce the arrival
of spring at this stunning and romantic garden. |
Parc
de Préhistoire
France (Malansac)
1 April - 15 October 2005 tbc (Various dates)
Shrouded in mystery, but perennially fascinating, the dinosaurs roar
back to life in the Parc de Préhistoire in Brittany. Twenty-five
hectares of full-scale dinosaur models fulfil all your Jurassic dreams. |
International
Garden Festival
France (Chaumont-sur-Loire)
30 April - 16 October 2005 (Every year)
France's answer to the Chelsea Flower Show, the Festival International
des Jardins attracts over 150,000 people and features 30 show gardens
created in and around the idyllic setting of the chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire. |
Monet's
Garden at Giverny
France (Giverny)
1 April - 31 October 2005 tbc (Every year; not
Mon)
Claude Monet was ecstatic about flowers and they were the inspiration
for much of his work. He designed his garden with the eye of a painter,
highly aware of colour combinations and the effect of light and shade.
[Go Top] |
Château
de la Hunaudaye
France (Pledeliac)
1 April - 31 October 2005 tbc (Every year)
Close to the town of Plédéliac lies the Château
de la Hunaudaye, a majestic ruin of a castle that still manages to
look imposing despite having seen more grandiose days. |
Chantilly's
Living Horse Museum
France (Chantilly)
1 April - 31 October 2005 (Various dates)
Housed in the Grand Stables (Les Grandes Ecuries) next to Chantilly
Château, the Living Horse Museum (Musée Vivant du Cheval)
offers the chance to explore the stables and admire their occupants
- thoroughbred horses - as well as watch them parade their complicated
dressage moves at various times throughout the day. |
Neanderthal
Museum
France (La Chapelle-aux-Saints )
11 April - 1 November 2005 tbc (Easter-All Saint's
Day)
The Neanderthal Museum in La Chapelle-aux-Saints, founded in 1996,
sets prehistoric man in his context and boasts a reconstruction of
the Neanderthal skeleton and burial site discovered nearby in 1908.
This part of France is rich in prehistoric remains, with the painted
caves of Lascaux and Font-de-Gaume located nearby. |
Aqualud
France (Le Touquet)
12 February - 2 November 2005 (Every year)
The town of Le Touquet may be most attractive during the summer, but
one of its chief attractions, the largest aquatic theme park in Northern
France, stays open right through to November. With the temperature
kept at 27°C under Aqualud's glass pyramid, enjoy water slides
like The Black Hole and Twister even while it's bucketing down outside. |
Parc
Aquanature Le Stérou
France (Priziac)
1 April - 5 November 2005 tbc (Every year)
Half an hour away from the Breton coast lies an unspoilt haven for
nature and wildlife - the Parc Aquanature Le Stérou. |
La
Vallée des Singes
France (Romagne)
13 March - 9 November 2005 tbc (Every year)
Make a date with our simian ancestors in France's only major park
devoted to monkeys of every shape, size and colour, La Vallée
des Singes in Romagne. |
Préhistoparc
France (Tursac)
1 March - 11 November 2005 tbc (Every year)
The Dordogne region is famous for its ancient prehistoric sites -
a must for interested adults but perhaps a little dull for the kids.
Solving the problem, the Préhistoparc in Tursac has been built
halfway between two of the most famous caves. Here the whole thing
becomes a lot more real as you come face-to-face with woolly mammoths,
hairy rhinos and even prehistoric man himself. |
Château
de Saint-Fargeau
France (Saint-Fargeau)
1 April - 11 November 2005 tbc (Every year)
As French Châteaux go (and let's face it, there are lots of
them), the Château de Saint-Fargeau is pretty spectacular. |
Futuroscope
France (Poitiers)
7 February - 15 November 2005 tbc (Every year)
Futuroscope is a theme park with a difference: more than 130 acres
are devoted to using new audio-visual technology to create breathtaking
and informative spectacles. Giant screens, 3D cinemas, circular cinemas
and other state-of-the-art techniques (some unique to the park) add
up to create an experience unlike any you have seen before. |
Roscoff
Exotic Garden
France (Roscoff)
1 March - 30 November 2005 (Every year)
The Gulf Stream ensures that the flowers stay blooming far longer
in the Roscoff Exotic Garden than in inland areas of Brittany. The
garden covers 1.6 hectares and has 3000 species drawn exclusively
from the southern hemisphere, interspersed between rockeries, water
features, fountains and ponds. The views over the bay of Morlaix from
the tower of rocks are particularly spectacular. [Go
Top] |
Museum
of American Art
France (Giverny)
7 March - 1 December 2005 tbc (Every year; not
Mon)
Situated in Giverny, the town that Claude Monet made his home, is
the Museum of American Art, which has a permanent collection of American
Impressionist works from Monet's time. |
Pegasus
Memorial
France (Ranville)
1 February - 1 December 2005 (Every year)
The Pegasus War Memorial in Ranville is dedicated to the men of the
6th British Airborne Division, the first members of the liberation
force to land in Normandy on the night of D-Day. |
The
Rex Club
France (Paris)
1 December 2002 - 13 December 2005 (Every Wed-Sat)
For the dedicated clubber, a visit to Paris is not complete without
a night at the Rex Club. |
Musée
du Vin
France (Paris)
2 January - 23 December 2005 (Every year; not
Mon)
Founded in 1984, the Parisian Musée du Vin is a cultural centre
devoted to the full wonder of the French grape and, more importantly,
what they do with it... |
The
Grand Stables at Versailles
France (Versailles)
15 February - 31 December 2005 tbc (Every year;
weekends only)
Recently restored to their former glory, the Grande Ecurie (Grand
Stables) in Versailles are reopen to the public. Situated on the site
of the infamous château, they should prove a welcome addition
to the Versailles experience. |
Arromanches
360º
France (Arromanches les Bains)
1 February 2005 - 1 January 2006 (Every year)
Arromanches 360º urges us to actively remember the atrocities
of war. The 360º cinema experience plunges visitors straight
into the hell in water that were the D-Day landings. |
Marineland
France (Antibes-Juan les Pins)
29 January 2005 - 2 January 2006 tbc (Various
dates)
This family attraction on the French Riviera, near Antibes-Juan les
Pins, is all about the sea. A large pool with spectator-seating is
the focus for a series of shows featuring killer whales, sea lions
and dolphins which take place several times a day and late into the
night during high season (Jun-Sep). |
William
the Conqueror's Castle
France (Falaise)
5 February 2005 - 4 January 2006 (Every year)
William the Bastard was born in 1027 in Falaise's medieval castle.
When he rose to prominence as the Duke of Normandy and was given the
far more appealing title of Conqueror, the castle was renamed after
him. |
La
Petite Ferme - Animal Park
France (Antibes-Juan les Pins)
30 January 2005 - 6 January 2006 tbc (Various
dates)
La Petite Ferme is a large farm park, with everything from chickens
to horses, allowing children and adults to get up close and interact
with the animals. |
Fishing
Museum
France (Concarneau)
1 February 2005 - 10 January 2006 (Every year)
If there's one thing Bretons know a lot about, it's fishing - the
province has more coastal areas than any other in France and fishing
has been a way of life for generations. The Concarneau Fishing Museum
(Musée de la Pêche) sets Brittany's marine heritage in
perspective with exhibits of old fishing boats, fishing techniques
and more. |
La
Chapelle des Lombards
France (Paris)
13 May 2003 - 13 May 2006 (Thu-Sat)
If electronic beats leave you cold and you long for some Latin rhythm,
then this is the place for you. La Chapelle is a regular haunt for
lovers of salsa and merengue and bills itself as the venue of "sunshine
music". [Go Top] |
France Calendar of Events