ANGELA BIRD'S

Northern France
What to do and see within 90 minutes of Calais

WHAT'S ON IN NORTHERN FRANCE

July 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. Official county identifications: 59=Nord 62=Pas de Calais 80=Somme
Until13 July	Passé Présent A sélection from the collection of the FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais Exhibition of works purchased by the region’s art foundation from 1983 to 1993. Artists represented include Carl André, Bernd et Hilla Becher, Joseph Beuys, Christian Boltanski, Daniel Buren, Isa Genzken, Hans Haacke, Bertrand Lavier, Eugène Leroy, Olivier Mosset, Panamarenko and Andy Warhol. Wed-Mon 9.30am-noon & 2-5.30pm.	Musée des Beaux-Arts, Arras, Abbaye Saint-Vaast, 22 Rue Paul Doumer Arras, 62
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 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 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 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	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

1 July	Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme A moving ceremony is held each year at Lochnagar Crater, starting at 7.30am – the time of the British attack. Later in the day there are ceremonies at Thiepval (around 10am), at the nearby Ulster Tower, and at the Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont-Hamel.	La Boisselle, near Albert, 80; also Thiepval & Beaumont-Hamel. 80
5, 6 July	Fêtes Guillaume Two days of festivities throughout this medieval town to celebrate the memory of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, who set off from this port to conquer England in October 1066.	St-Valéry-sur-Somme 80
5 July-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
6 July	Rederie de Longpré Brocante/car-boot fair in an attractive village on the south side of the rivedr Somme.	Longpré-les- Corps Saints, nr Amiens 80
6 July-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
mid July	Folklores du Monde World music and colourful performances by dancers and musicians from many lands.	Bray-Dunes, near Dunkerque. 59
14 July	Vide-grenier Enormous annual car-boot sale throughout the streets of Montreuil.	Montreuil, 62
27 July	Fête Médiévale Medieval festvities and activities on the site of the Battle of Agincourt. 10am-6pm.	Azincourt, near Fruges, 62

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