The Sales – Les Soldes d’Hiver. The annual winter sales in France take place from 7 January to 17 February, the perfect excuse for a Gallic shopping excursion. Lots of bargains from the big stores to the small independents throughout the country with the price drops getting bigger towards the end. Definitely a chance to pick up a bargain.
Angoulême, Poitou-Charentes - Festival International de la Bande Dessinée 29 January – 1 February. This homage to comics, much loved by the French, from Asterix to Tintin draws huge crowds of fans. There are competitions for amateurs and enthusiasts get to meet the professionals, watch them work and ask questions. www.bdangouleme.com
Avignon – Horse Passion – 21-25 January. Horses are put through their paces with showjumping events, polo, dressage and carriage driving. www.cheval-passion.com
Le Touquet – Pas de Calais, Enduropale 30 January – 1 February – Fast paced and 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 – noisy, and exciting. Over 150,000 people turn up each year to watch and cheer the racers on, and this year its even bigger with lots more additions to the circuit www.enduropaledutouquet.fr
Franche-Comté, Ski race, 8-9 February An epic cross country ski race with more than 3000 participants – both amateurs and Professionals including Olympic medallists on a 76km trek from Lamoura to Mourthe in the Jura Mountains. See the website for the Trans Organisation for more details and information www.transorganisation.com
Granville – Normandy, Granville Mardi Gras, 13-17 February. Celebrated since 1872, this carnival began as a feast prepared by the wives of fishermen leaving to catch cod. These days its all about fun and having a good time – with parades, all night drinking, wearing masks and making friends as thousands arrive for this very popular five day event. www.ville-granville.fr
Top Events in France January to March 2015
Nice Carnival P 67