Northern France: What's on in August

ANGELA BIRD'S
Northern France
What to do and see within 90 minutes of Calais

WHAT'S ON IN NORTHERN FRANCE

August 2008
(entries in red indicate new additions)

	PLEASE NOTE This website is really just a supplement to Angela Bird's guidebook, Northern France: What to do and see within 90 minutes of Calais (left), which gives full details in its 176 pages of hundreds of interesting and off-beat tourist sites throughout the region. What you see on the website consists of either extra topics not covered in the book (Calendar, Restaurants, Travel routes, Internet links etc), or updated information (new tourist attractions open - or old ones closed) since the book appeared. For the complete picture, order Northern France through bookshops in the UK and Ireland, or from Amazon ; it is also on sale in good bookshops throughout Northern France.	The listings on this site are supplied in good faith, gathered by the author from various sources. However it is always wise to check details with organisers or tourist offices before making a special journey. 62=Pas de Calais 59=Nord 80=Somme

Until 31 Aug	African Safari: Exhibition of sand sculptures Some 80 lorryloads of sand from a quarry in Belgium (its grains are less rounded that beach sand, and hold in place better) are shipped in to allow specialised artists to create gigantic sculptures of elephants and other animals from the Masai Mara.	La Digue (seafront) near end of Rue St Jean, Le Touquet 62.
Until 21 Sept	« Amiens, la cathédrale en couleurs » The summer illuminated show, at nightfall, bringing to life the wonderfully-carved medieval sculptures on the West Front of the cathedral. Not to be missed! Daily: June 10.45pm; July 10.30pm; Aug 10pm; Sept 9.45pm. Free; no booking required.	Cathedral, Amiens, 80 (tel: 03 22 71 60 50)
Until 21 Sept	Néogothique en Montreuillois Montreuil’s ecclesiastical artists and architects were much influenced by Neogothic style. The exhibition shows church plate, vestments and other ornate treasures. Daily 3-6pm. Admission free.	Musée Roger Rodière, Chapelle Sainte-Austreberthe Montreuil 62
Until 28 Sept	Autour d'Eanger Iving Couse Exhibition of photographs by an American artist–a member of the School of Etaples–who settled in the fishing port in 1893. They show local views, and the lives of the fishing families of the late 19th century. Aongside them are pastel drawings by Belgian artist Jos Van den Nieuwenhof, made from Couse’s photographs.	Musée de la Marine, Etaples 62
Until 2 Nov	Eugène CHIGOT (1860-1923) This painter, from Valenciennes, was the instigator of the famous “School of Etaples”, a group of artists from all over the world who were drawn to set up their easels around the bay of the Canche in the late 19th century. Works by Chigot as well as by other artists of the group.	Musée du Touquet, Le Touquet 62
Until 16 Nov	L'autre Allemagne (1914-1924) : rêver la paix Exhibition devoted to German writers and artists who denounced the inhumanity of World War I and dreamed of a more peaceful world.	Historial de la Grande Guerre, Péronne, 80

Until 16 Nov

Le camp militaire britannique d'Etaples - 1915/1919 Photographs of the vast military camp – one of the largest British bases of World War I - that was installed at Etaples. Photographs, plans and objects dug up from the sites.

Musée Quentovic, Etaples, near Le Touquet 62

Until 16 Nov

Fendre l’Ombre 2008 Strange wooden figures sculpted by Christian Lapie are scattered about the grounds of the former abbey. Mon-Fri 2-6pm; Sat, Sun 10-12 & 2-6 (28 Apr-28 Sept, daily 10-6). Admission free.

St Riquier, nr Abbeville, 80

Until 31 Dec	Dans les pas de Francis Tattegrain, Bernard Clarisse Works in the claqssical tradition of art by a contemporary painter.	Musée Opale-Sud, Berck-sur-Mer 62
Until 31 Dec	Dans les pas de Francis Tattegrain, Jacques Damville Paintings by a contemporary artist who shows landscapes, people at work, in realistic style. Damville has recently turned to ceramics, creating a series of seascapes on enamelled plaques.	Musée Opale-Sud, Berck-sur-Mer 62


8-13 Aug	Festival de Valloires Wonderful classical concerts given in the 18th-century chapel of the Abbey of Valloires.	Abbaye de Valloires, Argoules, near Montreuil.62

15 Aug	Blessing of the Sea A parade of fishing and pleasure boats goes out to see to lay a wreath in memory of missing sailors. On same date each year.	Petit-Fort-Philippe, near Gravelines.59
Late Aug	Patate Feest Dozens of scarecrows are dotted around the picturesque village of Esquelbecq for several days during the annual “potato festival”.	Esquelbecq, near Wormhout 59
30, 31 Aug	Fête du Flobart An entertaining weekend organised around the local fishing industry and especially the quaint little open boats of this part of the coast, known as “flobarts”.	Wissant 62

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

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