If you are part of a family that like to try and time their travels around local festivals and celebrations, France offers numerous fun-filled and lively events all throughout the year. In addition to the public holidays and religious holidays that are celebrated in all parts of the country, there are also numerous local events that offer heaps of fun and revelry for all.
With festivals dedicated to art, theatre, movie, music, and a diverse array of other themes, exciting carnivals, and pulsating street parties, joining in with a French celebration is sure to be a memorable time!
Here are some fabulous French events that you may be interested in experiencing with the kids:
World Puppet Theatre Festival
Held every other year in the town of Charleville-Mezieres, the World Puppet Theatre Festival sees people coming from all over the world to put on fascinating shows with all different types of puppet. From marionettes to glove puppets and from shadow puppets to finger puppets, the captivating shows are sure to keep your kids more than happy! The main festivities last for ten days and the event attracts thousands of happy spectators from far and wide. The next festival is due to be held in September 2015.
Cirque de Demain
Occurring at the end of January each year, the Cirque de Demain showcases a wonderful assortment of circus acts and tricks. People compete from top circus training schools around the globe, with acrobats, clowns, trapeze artists, jugglers, and more all coming together to try and be the best at what they do. It is definitely a spell-binding time.
Le Salon du Chocolate
Anyone with a sweet tooth is sure to enjoy this chocolate bonanza that takes place every October. Fine chocolate makers from all around the world come to show off their products, as well as giving demonstrations and, arguably the best bit, taster sessions! Learn more about how chocolate is made and see maybe the largest collection of different types of chocolate that you have ever seen in your life!
Medieval Festival
Sedan’s annual Medieval Festival is a lively affair that allows you family to take a fascinating journey back in time. The town’s spectacular castle is the main focal point for the festivities, with period costumes, jousting, sword fighting, wrestling, fairground games and shows, medieval banquets, and huge doses of exhilarating fun! This fantastic festival falls in the middle of May each year.
Nice Carnival
Nice Carnival is one of the country’s biggest and best carnivals. Indeed, it is often said to be amongst the biggest carnivals on the planet! Lasting for just over two weeks, the streets really come to live with colourful parades and floats, music, singing, dancing, and amazing costumes. There is plenty of delicious food to enjoy as well as fun games and competitions, and it is a great place to soak up the local culture and atmosphere. Nice Carnival takes places every February.
Other great festivals that your family might like when in France include the April Kite Festival in Bercke-sur-Mer, the parades of Bastille Day, Menton Lemon festival in the first part of the year, Carcassone’s Summer Festival, Lyon’s festival of Lights, the beautiful Christmas Markets, and te carnival-esque Pentecost Feria in Nimes.
If you would like your kids to learn more about the general culture and way of life in France, don’t forget to give them a copy of the Kids’ Travel Guide – France!
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