Northern France: What's on in June

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

WHAT'S ON IN NORTHERN FRANCE

June 2012
(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. 59=Nord 62=Pas de Calais 80=Somme

Until 10 June 2012	Une lignée de patrons pêcheurs étaplois de 1883 à nos jours Exhibition of photographs and stories relating to the best-known fishing-boatowners of the 19^th century and their descendants, gathered by retired local fishing-boat-owner Gervais Perrault,.	Musee de la Marine, Etaples, 62
Until 24 June 2012	Eugeen van Mieghem et le port d'Anvers A prolific artist, Eugeen van Mieghem (1875-1930) was part of the late-19^th/early-20^th-century art scene in Paris. A fouvourist subject was the port of Antwerp, where he showed the everyday lives of the dock and its workers.	Musée Départemental de Flandre, Grand’Place, Cassel 59
Until 3 July 2012	Le Jardin des Boves The annual three-month summer period when the tunnels beneath the tourist office of Arras take on a new air, being filled with growing plants and strange music. Visitors expecting the usual history-filled tour may be disappointed... Guided visit 4.70€, children 2.70€.	Office de Tourisme, Hôtel de Ville, Place des Héros, Arras 62
Until 25 Nov 2012	Missing of the Somme Exhibition revealing individual stories of some of the 73 000 soldiers lost in the Somme battlefields during World War I, many of whom are commemorated on the massive Monument to the Missing at Thiepval. It will look at the continuing pull the region exerts on British and Commonwealth residents today, who come to visit the cemeteries and monuments.	Historial de la Grande Guerre, Péronne, 80
Until 7 Dec 2012	Albert Siffait de Moncourt et l'éloge du Patrimoine Born in 1858, Moncourt showed a love of Ponthieu heritage in his work. His near-photographic depictions in this exhibition seem to be influenced by archaeology and ethnology.	Musee Roger Rodiere, Montreuil, 62
early June	MAPID (Marché aux Puces International de Dunkerque) Huge flea market, with more than 1,000 exhibitors. 6am-6pm. Admission free.	Dunkerque, 59
1-3 June 2012	Terres en Fête Annual farming show, with demonstrations for the general public, and a chance to see breeds of cattle, horses, pigs etc, and enjoy traditonal food and entertainment. 9am-7pm. 6€, under-12s free	Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, nr Arras, 62
2, 3 June 2012	Rendez-vous aux Jardins A nationwide weekend of garden-visiting, with some private ones throwing open their gates to visitors. This year’s theme is « heritage». You can search for gardens by département or by region on this government website or on this site devoted to parcs and gardens.	Throughout France
2-24 June 2012	3^e Midsummer Festival English and French music, drama and dance played out in a temporary theatre beneath the ramparts of Hardelot’s newly-restored château. Artistes include : Dame Felicity Lott, Robert King, Stéphanie d'Oustrac, The Musicians of the Globe, Quatuor Debussy, The King's Singers, L'Armée des Romantiques, Magali Léger, Alain Buet, Les Witches, Quatuor Diotima, Jonas Vitaud, l'Académie des Vingt-quatre violons du Roy.	Château d’Hardelot, Hardelot, 62
early June	Journée des Peintres dans la rue Artists set up their easels in various corners of this pretty seaside village.	St-Valery-sur-Somme, 80
3 June 2012	Brocante at Bergues Giant annual car-boot sale, with stalls set up throughout this attractive walled town. 8am-6pm.	Bergues, 59
11-17 June 2012	Golf: St-Omer Open Part of the prestigious PGA European Tour, this is France’s second-largest golf tournament attracting more than 150 players from 22 different countries.	Aa-St Omer golf club, nr Lumbres 62
15 June-16 Sept 2012	« 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)
16, 17 June 2012	Journées du Patrimoine de Pays / Journées des Moulins Events, displays and talks at windmills, watermills and other rural buildings throughout France. This year’s theme is “cuisine, terroirs et savoir-faire”	throughout France
21 June 2012	Fête de la Musique A nationwide event, with music-making events in unexpected places.	Throughout France
23 June 2012	Feu de la St-Jean Enormous annual event for the feast of St John the Baptist (24 June). Historical tableaux, and a vast bonfire, with fireworks.	Bergues, 59
24 June 2012	Marché sur l’eau Annual recreation of the old floating market, by which the market-gardeners of the Hortillonnages area of the city came to sell their fruit and vegetables at the quayside. Costumed boatmen bring items for sale in their old craft. 10.30am-1pm.	Quai Parmentier, Amiens, 80
late June-late July	Les Soldes / Sales! This is the official period for which French shops are authorised to hold sales. Make the most of it!	Throughout France
30 June 2012	Fête dans la rue Festival in the streets of this nice little town, with free entertainment, art exhibition, craft market and traditional Picardy games. 4pm-midnight. Admission free.	Corbie, near Amiens, 80

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