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

WHAT'S ON IN NORTHERN FRANCE

November 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. 59=Nord 62=Pas de Calais 80=Somme

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 14 Dec	Commémorer : hier, aujourd’hui et demain (1918-2008) The 90th anniversary of the ending of World War I poses the question of how the Great War be commemorated today. “Land art” around the museum itself, and photographs of war memorials show some possibilities.	Historial de la Grande Guerre, Péronne 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 Nov	TOUSSAINT (All Saints’ Day) Public holiday

early Nov	Hareng Roi The annual herring festival in the fishing village of Etaples is held at a time of year when these fish arrive in local waters in large quantities. Hundreds of tasty herrings are barbecued.	Etaples, near Boulogne, 62
11 Nov	ARMISTICE DAY Public holiday (many museums likely to be closed)
11 Nov	Remembrance Day ceremonies organised by the Somme branch of the Royal British Legion on sites connected with the attacks of 1 July 1916. Ulster Tower (9.30am); Thiepval Monument (10.30am); Thiepval village church (11.30am).	Thiepval area, near Albert, 80
Mid to late Nov	Tendances 2007: Festival de la Côte d’Opale Festival of jazz, with concerts in seaside towns of the Opal Coast. Tickets 5€-15€.	Dunkerque, Calais, Boulogne, Le Portel, Wimereux, Etaples (tel: 03 21 30 40 33)
mid Nov	Fête du Hareng For Boulogne’s annual herring festival, giant barbecues are set up along Quai Gambetta to grill the fish that are washed down with Beaujolais Nouveau. Folk-dancing and other cultural manifestations. Some 10,000 visitors expected during the weekend. Daily 10am-7pm.	Boulogne-sur-Mer 62
mid Nov	Foire aux Poulains Annual horse fair held on the main street of a village near St-Omer. Competitions for riding horses, ponies, donkeys and the famous local grey heavy horses of the Boulonnais breed. From 10am; grand parade 3pm. Food & craft market 10am-6pm. Admission free.	On N43, Wittes, N of Aire-sur-la-Lys, 62 (tel: 03 21 39 06 70)
16 Nov	Les Foulées de la Rouge Flamande Called after the local, chestnut-coloured dairy cows, this day of running and jogging races brings together 1,000 participants, and takes place around the ancient walled town. Routes from 1.16km to 10.6km. Participants must show a doctor’s certificate of fitness to enter. Start and finish Place du Marché aux Bestiaux.	Bergues, 59
30 Nov-end Dec	Christmas Illuminations at Le Touquet Tasteful fairy-lights and more substantial illuminated figures decorate this famous seaside resort. Especially good round Place de l'Hermitage. Admission free.	Le Touquet, 62

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

| mail webmaster by returning to the bottom of the index page |