Northern France: What's on in February

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

WHAT'S ON IN NORTHERN FRANCE

February 2008

(entries in red indicate new additions)

Départements are identified with their official number:
59=Nord; 62=Pas-de-Calais; 80=Somme

Jacqueline, Colas and family in Arras town hall

LES GÉANTS
As the season of “giants” is getting into
its (giant) stride, here is a link to the Fédération des Géants du Nord de la France - one of the sites that tells you the dates of the different parades. There is an interactive “Agenda des Géants” with dates for outings.

Here is the site for La Ronde des Géants, which tells you about the history of giants in
Belgium, France and other countries; click on “Agenda” to see a list of outings
(Tip: look for the French flag if you want an outing in France; not all are in the North, by the way).

Henri le Douanier in Godewaersvelde’s Musée Frontalière.

	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. 59=Nord 62=Pas de Calais 80=Somme
1 Feb-25 May	Dunkerque, les défis de la sidérurgie sur l’eau Exhibition about the setting up of steel-making factories in Dunkerque from the early 20th century, near the port where the raw materials arrived in France. Films, photographs, models and (French) commentaries from the people of neighbouring Grande-Synthe who work in this industry today. Wed-Mon 10-12.45 & 1.30-6. 3€, children 2.50€, family 7.50€.	Musée Portuaire, Dunkerque Tél. : 03 28 63 33 39
Sunday before Shrove Tues	Carnaval d’Hiver Winter carnival procession in the Flanders hilltop town of Cassel. Distinguished local giant Reuze Papa is on parade.	Cassel (59)
Sunday before Shrove Tues 3 Feb 2008	Bande de Dunkerque / Dunkerque carnival The most lively carnival of all sees the people of Dunkerque dressed in gaudy costumes (with men in drag), and waving gaily-decorated umbrellas.	Dunkerque (59)
5 Feb 2008	Bande de Rosendael / Rosendael carnival Carnival day in this eastern suburb of Dunkerque.	Rosendael, near Dunkerque (59)
Until 20 May	Histoire, Histoire… A new exhibition space in the Fine-Arts museum shows the history of the town through paintings, drawings, gold- and silver-work, and a model of Dunkerque’s town hall.	Musée des Beaux-Arts, Dunkerque (59)
Sunday after Shrove Tues 10 Feb 2008	Carnaval de Malo-les-Bains Joyous carnival parade along the seafront of the seaside resort just to the east of Dunkerque.	Malo-les-Bains, near Dunkerque (59)

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

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