Top Events in France December 2014 to February 2015
National Events
Christmas Day 25 December – Public Holiday
Christmas markets take place all over France – see www.thegoodlifefrance.com for lots of up to date features on the main markets, Paris, day trip Christmas events in France
New Year’s Day 1st January – Public Holiday
La Fête des Rois 6 January. Age old tradition which takes place every year in France to celebrate the Epiphany. A special cake called the galette des rois is baked and takes pride of place in patisseries. Inside the cake a lucky charm is hidden – the fève – and the finder is crowned king for a day. (see Page 54 to find out more)…
The Sales – Les Soldes d’Hiver 2015. 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.
La Chandeleur is Pancake Day in France and takes place on 2nd February. We’ll be telling you more about this popular event in our January 2015 Magazine (don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out!).
La Saint Valentin – Valentine’s Day in France, February 14
Great Events and Festivals:
December 13-14, Licques, Nord-Pas de Calais: Festival des Dindes. An authentic and charming festival where turkeys are celebrated as they
are allowed to roam the street under supervision from the gastro guilds and brotherhoods of the region, dressed in all their finery. There’s a fabulous tented gourmet fair with wine tasting and food for all your
Christmas luxuries and of course, a chance to pick up a turkey for Christmas Day.
December 6-7, Roubaix, Nord-Pas de Calais: 24 hour art festival featuring 150 international artists, designers, stylists, graphic artists, painters and sculptors who use their imagination and skills to recraft every-day objects into works of art which you can buy from €1 upwards. www.tourisme-nordpasdecalais.fr
December 5-8, Rhone Alpes, Lyon: Festival of Lights. A 150 year old festival sees lovely Lyon light up as public installations pop up throughout the city and people light candles to put in their windows. This free to the public major festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. www.en.lyon-france.com
29 January – 1 February, Angoulême, Poitou-Charentes: Festival International de la Bande Dessinée. A celebration of comics and cartoons, much loved by the French, from Asterix to Tintin.