| January - February 2008 |
| 5th January - 22nd March |
The Carnival at Limoux (Aude) runs throughout January, February and March with regular events throughout the town. The 22nd sees the close of the festival with live music in the Place de la République |
| 16th Feb to 5th March |
Menton (Alpes-Maritimes) celebrates its annual Citrus Festival. There will be themed displays in the Biovès Gardens and cheerful parades with citrus decorated floats. |
| March 2008 |
| 1st March |
The Carnaval de Chambéry (Savoie) takes place with a spectacular parade, leaving the Town Hall at 15h and making its way through the town until it reaches the Place de l’Europe at 17h where there will be circus acts and live entertainment to amuse visitors. |
| 2nd March |
This is the last day of the Nice Carnival (Alpes-Maritimes). A spectacular parade will take place from 14h30 with huge floats, costumed dancers and street performers. The festivities will be brought to a close with a large firework display at 21h |
| 5th March |
Megève (Haute Savoie), offers a variety of children’s entertainment and bike displays free of charge at the Palais des Sports. |
| 7th March |
Chamonix (Haute Savoie), enjoys a children’s snow parade with popular characters from children’s TV |
| 8th March and 12th April 2008 |
For budding chefs, the Toulouse Tourism Office is running a series of cookery classes with well-known chefs. Saturday gourmet classes include a walk to the local market to choose the best of the fresh produce on offer, followed by a cookery workshop to prepare 3 seasonal dishes and rounded off with a “dégustation”. Advance booking is required (tel 05 61 11 02 22) and the Saturday course costs E90 per person (including wine) |
| 8th to 16th March |
The annual Marseille Provence Boat Show takes place at La Ciotat (Bouches-du-Rhone) with displays and exhibits on everything from sail to motor boats. |
| 9th March |
Alpe d’Huez (Isère) hosts the French Ski Cross Cup when visitors will get the chance to see local champion Ophélie David in action. |
| 12th - 16th March |
Megève (Haute Savoie), hosts the Snow Golf Cup. Popular in Scandinavia, it seems this winter sport has also gained fans in the French Alps and there are a number of planned winter events, including this in Megève. |
| 14th - 16th March |
Quimper, (Finistère, Brittany) hosts the 31st “Festival de l’Elévage” at the Parc des Expositions de Penvillers. There will be stalls selling local produce as well as live entertainment and competitions. |
15th March to 7th April |
The Easter Fair in Grenoble (Isère) is a popular event with fairground rides to suit all ages alongside live entertainment and a variety of food stalls. |
| 17th March |
Mickey Mouse will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day at Disneyland Paris with all his chums. |
21st to 23rd March |
This weekend sees Bayonne (Pyrénées Atlantiques) celebrate its annual “Foire au Jambon”. Celebrated since 1426, the fair welcomes master charcutiers from around the region who come to display their cured hams and compete for the title of best ham. Visitors have ample opportunity to taste and buy the local delicacy “jambon de Bayonne” - a cured ham with a distinctive flavour. |
| 21st March - 24th March |
The bull has lived in the Carmargue since Roman times and they form the centre of many of the area’s cultural traditions and the “Feria de Paques” in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhone) is no exception. From the 21st to the 24th March 2008, the historic town of Arles celebrates its heritage with daily “bull games” and “corridas” as well as live music and processions. |
| 22nd to 25th March |
Boating enthusiasts will no doubt be drawn to the annual boat show in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes). Taking place at the Port de Nice, this event draws potential buyers with displays of all things nautical. |
| 23rd March 2008 |
40 km east of Toulouse, St Félix-de-Lauragais (Haute Garonne) celebrates 600 years of history with its “Fête de la Cocagne”. The entertainment kicks off at 10h on the 23rd with live music in several locations around the town followed by a historical procession from the Place du Chateau at 11h30. Throughout the day there will be puppet shows, falconry displays, equestrian displays and live music. There will also be street entertainers, tableaux, children’s workshops and presentations by local artisans. |
| 23rd March |
On the road leading to the scenic Pointe du Raz, Pont Croix (Finistère) will host a medieval market to mark the beginning of the season. |
| 23rd March |
Children are welcome to join in the Easter Egg Hunt at the Parc Phoenix in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) on Easter Sunday. |
| 24th March |
Pont Aven, (Finistère, Brittany) is holding an antique/bric a brac market on the Quai Botrel. |
| 28th - 30th March |
Avignon (Vaucluse) hosts its annual motor show at the Parc des Expositions. Featuring over 900 vehicles this is a popular event with both motor enthusiasts and potential buyers. |
| 28th to 31st March |
For local produce and regional specialties, head for the “Salon des Vins et de la Gastronomie” at the Parc des Expositions de Penvillers in Quimper (Finistère, Brittany). |
| 29th March |
The Fete de l’Olivier takes place in Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes). Visitors can enjoy olive oil tastings, guided tours of the Olive Museum, a market of local produce and live entertainment including provençale music. |
| 30th March |
Alpe d’Huez (Isère) welcomes youngsters from 5 to 12 years old to take part in a fun day of activities and competitions on the slopes at “Les Cristaux de l’Oisans” |
30th March |
Each year the residents of Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) celebrate the Annunciation and the end of winter with their “Festival des Cougourdons”. The gourds (squash) have become symbolic in the town and all varieties are displayed in the popular market in the church square - shaped, dried, decorated, painted and sculpted |
| April 2008 |
| 4th - 6th April |
Aix en Provence (Bouches-du-Rhone) celebrates the musical spirit of Provence at its Tambourin Festival. Afficionados from around the region will come to enjoy a number of evening concerts, street entertainers and displays from instrument makers. |
17th - 20th April |
Another date for boating enthusiasts - the Antibes Yacht Show (Alpes-Maritimes). |
| 27th April |
Twice a year the residents of Chambéry (Savoie) hold a large car boot sale - “La Grande Braderie”. Come along and see if you can find a bargain. |
