Festivals across France

WITH spring finally here your thoughts may be drifting off to music festivals and events taking place around France.

So if you are a night owl looking for a place to visit, or a vintage car fan with a keen eye for a classic, there is plenty on as the evenings get warmer.

Museums by Night, May 20
Participating museums across France open for a special night of free visits from sunset until 1 in the morning. Museums involved with this initiative include the Pompidou Centre & the Rodin museum in Paris, the recently opened contemporary art museum in Vitry-sur-Seine, the museum of contemporary art in Bordeaux and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lille.
The aim of this Europe-wide project is to attract people who may not usually go to museums in the hope that they will become more regular visitors in the future.
www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr

Medieval Festival of Sedan, May 20 to 21
Step into the Middle Ages with the citizens of Sedan, the city in the French Ardennes built around the largest fortress in Europe.
The Medieval Festival features knights on horseback, falconry, music and street theatre with many participants in medieval costume. Shopping is also part of the festivities with a medieval market selling a range of local specialities.
The 'guest of honour' this year is the city of Troyes, capital of the Aube, with its medieval centre appropriately shaped like a champagne cork.
Visitors may even consider staying in the castle of Sedan itself as a hotel and gastronomic restaurant are located within.
www.medieval-sedan.com

Rock the Med music festival in Argelès-sur-Mer, June 2 to 3
A new music festival is launched this summer billed as The World's Biggest Tribute Band Festival in the most fantastic location – Chateau de Valmy, near Perpignan in the South of France.
The line-up includes some of the most well known tributes acts including Björn Again,The Counterfeit Stones, The Bootleg Beatles, Queen on Fire, T.Rextasy, and Boot-Led-Zeppelin.
The parklands at Chateau de Valmy in Argelès have been staging summer music festivals for a number of years and the panoramic views from the festival site are beautiful, looking out across the Mediterranean Sea.
The park forms a natural amphitheatre with the stage at its lowest point and the sea beyond.
www.rockthemed.com

Centenary of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, June 11 to 12
This year is the centenary of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) – the organisation which set up the Le Mans 24 hour race.
The first ACO grand prix held in June 1906 followed a route along the roads of the Sarthe region in Western Loire.
The 100th anniversary event will involve 100 vintage cars (many from the UK) driving a symbolic lap of the 1906 circuit passing through many charming towns and villages such as Boluoire and Saint Calais.
Participants will enjoy a picnic in the forest of Vibraye and a gala dinner at the 12th century Epau Abbey.
www.lemans.org

The European Taste Festival and the Goudot Awards in Aurillac, June 23 to 25
This festival takes place in Aurillac in the central Auvergne region. It is a gastronomic celebration grouping producers, chefs and foodies from all over Europe.
The Gold, Silver and Bronze Goudots are awarded to the best regional products of which the taste is judged by festival visitors.
In the centre of the town, in a convivial atmosphere, with tripoux (Auvergne tripe speciality), sausages, cheeses and wines from Auvergne are for sale on the regional market.
Visitors can also learn a few secrets from chefs’ demonstrations and enjoy tastings.
www.entreprendre-aurillac.com/gout

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