Page 63 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

MARCH APRIL
Mulhouse Carnival (mid-Mar). Celebrating the end △ Paris Marathon (mid-Apr). Over 40,000
of winter, France’s most outlandish carnival rivals long-distance runners throng the streets of
those in Germany and Switzerland. Paris for the biggest foot race in the country.
△ Paris International Book Fair (mid-Mar). One of Roman Games (last weekend). Actors in Roman
the largest book fairs in Europe, avidly attended by garb re-enact gladiatorial combats In the Nîmes
British and American writers. arena, complete with dancing girls.

JULY AUGUST
△ Tour de France (late Jun–late Jul). The single △ Soöruz Lacanau Pro Surf (mid-Aug). Europe’s
most-attended sport in the world, with 15 oldest pro-surfing competition, near Cap Ferret
million spectators lining the roadways to cheer on the west coast. Riders come from all over the
on cyclists chasing the yellow jersey. world to put themselves to the challenge.
Paris Plage (early Jul–end of Aug). For those Summer holidays (all month). Many factories shut
who cannot get to the beach, the city of Paris down for the whole month and it seems like the
brings sand to the Seine for the whole summer. entire country heads for the beaches. Attractions
Bastille Day (14 Jul). The French national day, and museums extend hours accordingly.
celebrating the storming of the Bastille prison.

NOVEMBER DECEMBER
△ Beaujolais Nouveau (3rd Thu). The new △ Christmas Markets (to 24 Dec). Hundreds of
vintage is released at 12:01am, with parades towns and villages have special markets, but the
and ceremonies and a great deal of “tasting”. most outstanding are those in Colmar and
Les Trois Glorieuses (3rd Sun). The “Three Strasbourg in Alsace to the east.
Glorious Days” in Burgundy draw fine-wine Critérium de la Première Neige (early Dec).
enthusiasts from all over the world for tastings Snow flies at the first skiing competition
of new vintages, processions and an auction. of the season, hosted in Val-d’Isère.
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