More Events
Chatou Foire au Jambon: Antiques & Gourmet Food Fair
September 26 – October 5, 2008
Location: Chatou Island
Cost: €5
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
Twice a year, in March and September, the pretty Seine Chatou Island plays host to a grand antique fair named Chatou Foire au Jambon (Ham Fair), where some 400 dealers display their wares alongside a gourmet food fair.
Be sure to burn some calories browsing aisle after aisle of stalls of antiquities while feasting on Alsatian ham, foie gras from south-western France and Savoyard cheeses. Who knows, perhaps you can find that Louis XVIII footstool you've always lusted after...
The first two days of the gastronomic event are for professionals only. After that, the fair opens to the public.
For further details, please click here (French)
Nuit Blanche – All night festival
October 4-5, 2008
Location: All around Paris
Time: 7pm on October 4 to 7am October 5.
Enjoy an all-night cultural exploration of museums, shops, parks, movie theaters, swimming pools. Concerts and special events will also greet you all over the city. Be sure to indulge in the free Parisian breakfasts found at various locations.
Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival
October 10 –12, 2008
Location: 18th arrondissement of Paris
The Town Hall of the 18th arrondissement of Paris will celebrate the 75th "Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre". This year's theme is "Montmartre Celebrates its Cinema” This festival will honour major figures of the French cinema: Anouk Aimée and Claude Lelouch.
The booths and regional townships become a "Taste Trail" featuring thematic villages: "The Water and Fruits Village ", "the Organic Village ", "The Regional and Over-seas Village ", "The Market Village"; "The Invited Country Village", "The Around the World Wine Village", "The Cinema Wine Village" and "The Grand Wines Bistrot".
All quarters of the 18th arrondissement will be linked to the event through the "Taste Trail" which spans from the Goute d'Or to the Porte de la Chapelle all the way to the Porte de Montmartre. And don't forget the friaries parade, fanfares, three massive open-balls and bands from all around France that will celebrate the event along with you on Saturday, October 11.
You can also purchase a vintage bottle of wine from the "Clos-Montmatre" grape-vine during this extravagant event. Proceeds will go to the social associations of the arrondissement.
For further details, please visit: www.fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com
Semaine du Gout (Tasting Week)
October 13 – 19, 2008
Where: Many locations around France
Cost: Most of the events (with the exception of restaurant meals) are free
Tasting Week is celebrated in France 's key towns and gastronomic regions. During this fabulous gastronomic event, top chefs cooks, farmers, writers and restaurateurs unite to bring good taste and the rich French gastronomic tradition to the public all over the country.
The Semaine du Goût brings a mass of food inspired events to the whole of France , from dégustations (tastings) to cooking workshops, demonstrations and gourmet exhibitions. Pleasure is the central theme, while vegetables and fruits such as asparagus and pomegranate are lauded for their sensual taste and form. Special attention is given to children as many restaurants offer special discounts for children during the entire week.
Each region celebrates the joys of local produce and recipes. Bon Appétit!
The Magic of Orchids Show
October 24 – 26, 2008
Location: Chateau de Vascoeuil
Cost: €7.50; concessions €5
Opening Hours: Fri 2.30pm-5.30pm; Sat & Sun 10.30am-6pm
The Vascoeuil château in L'Eure holds its annual orchid fair to celebrate their exotic flowers exhibited in the castle gardens that surround the 17th-century dovecote.
As beautiful and elegant as they may be, orchids are not, contrary to popular belief, fragile blooms. A minimum of tender loving care will ensure their durability for weeks on end.
For further details, please click here. (French)
