Events & Festivals in Basse Normandy

Medieval pop now a classic.

Originally, this opera was based on a medieval manuscript discovered in the early 19th century in a Central European Monastery. Carl Orff wrote Carmina Burana between 1935 and 1936, based on the 24 medieval poems. It is a compilation of profane latin songs, in middle and high German and very ancient French. Most of the themes revolve around love, morals, while some satirical songs about money and alcohol...

Bedazzling Jazz.

With two guirats, a clarinet and a double bass, this accoustic-loving quartet swings from the world of Django Reinhardt to the bossa nova rhythms of Antonio Carlos Jobim, with a stopover in French classics (Brassens, Kosma, Salvador, etc.).
The performance will be exceptional, filled with the spirit of jazz, swing and fun-loving free improvisation…

The Normandy-Quebec connection.

If Normandy connected with the History of Quebec during the periods of extensive French emmigration in the 17th century, the Second World War was an opportunity to connect in a different way, the opposite way, by returning to defend the motherland… This is why the Juno Beach Centre is organising a temporary exhibition this year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Quebec. The thematic aim of the event is to shed light on the common history that Normandy and Quebec share - it is an homage to the Normand soldiers in Quebec who were there on D-Day, who fought the Battle of Normandy with Canadian forces.

The title is a fitting, poetic reference to the relation these soldiers had to the motherland.

The point of no return.

François Verret tackles a powerful and by now probably universal story, that of Moby Dick by Herman Melville. The performance is one of body language, where man strives to master the elements, to carve his niche within a hostile landscape. He must take care not to awaken the beast, yet therein lies the paradox... Deep inside, he wants to scream, to challenge the monster and hear it roar.

A story to commemorate the fallen.

This expo will be telling a story. The story of the World Trade Center, of the attack on September 11th 2001, of the firemen and rescue workers and construction workers, of the police force and hospital workers, of the 2 700 people who lost their lives, and finally of the response that these events brought about…

These powerful themes are the subject of this exhibition comprised of personal objects, pictures, films, testimonies and remains found amidst a mountain of rubble. The tale of rescue operations will be told through various things… Things that we all use in everyday life, objects, fragments, debris, a crooked steering wheel, a souvenir…

Masters of Doina.

Doina is one of the founding traditions of Romanian music. With Romanian violinist Marius Andreï leading the dance, four Doina musicians will offer the audience a moment of pure ecstasy. It is an homage to the masters of this particular genre, such as Ion Dràgoi, Efta Botoca, Gheorge Zamfir…

The man with music in his veins…

Born of a Peul/Targui father and a Bambara/Amara mother, Willian Baldé spent his childhood in his home country, Guinea. He moved to Dakar in his teens to be with his father after which they both moved to Paris. He maintained his childhood notion of himself as a citizen of the world - he is unafraid of the unknown, eager to travel and discover foreign cultures.
Often playing for an elite VIP audience throughout Europe (Saint Tropez, Paris, London, Berlin…) his diverse musical career is a highly successful one. Baldé sings in English, French and Wolof, with a powerful voice accompanied by beautiful melodies inspired by African traditional music, French classics and American blues and soul.

His lasting friendship with Gil Gimenez and the resulting musical partnership, with Baldé writing lyrics while Gimenez composed, is the core of a larger band of musicians that grew around these two talents. The performance will be a unique experience of cross-cultural music. Baldé's solo album will be out this spring.

Down in the crushing depths where man has no place…

A new attraction is available for visitors of the Cité de la Mer. From February 2nd, you can experience a feat made possible by 3D-movie technology and simulators: discovering the abyss from the point of view of a submarine surrounded by deep-sea creatures!

From there you can enjoy an hour-long virtual tour… Open your eyes and admire the riches of Neptune's Kingdom!

Flowers invade Cherbourg!

Gardens will be in the spotlight, the sylvan centre of attention, for a whole month.

A new promenade, a new and exciting natural escapade, is scheduled every Sunday. Garden Month is an opportunity to discover the hidden Edens of Cherbourg, from the Old Military Hospital to the Liais Park and of course the Grimenil greenhouses.

Ageless classics.

The miniatures of Cantigas' manuscript, depicting musicians and instruments, are today endless sources of inspiration for contemporary artists. Such a profusion of colour and sound to enchant the imagination! Such an abundance of texts (400 songs!) that making a choice becomes inimaginably difficult. The musical structure is systematic and very simple, but this belies the rich layers of possible variations for the performer.

Hail Caesar.

César Franck (1822-1890) was the offocial organist at Saint-Sulpice in Paris from 1857 to 1890, while at the same time he was an organ professor at the Paris Conservatory from 1872 until the year of his death. Franck's music will be interpreted by Michel Chapuis, who had the same position at the Paris Conservatory but a century later, from 1989 to 1995, and is now the titular organist at the Royal Chapel of the Versailles chateau.

A festive event upon the high seas!

Two days of intense activities throughout the whole of France, the Fête du Nautisme, or "Nautical Festival", will take over coastal regions as well as lake and river-sides. Young and old, landlubbers and trained sailors alike, are all invited to take to the waters for an exciting weekend.
This will be a great opportunity to discover some of the many nautical activities that are around, to test a particular product and, most importantly, to share your passion with actual seamen and professionals who are sailing the high seas every day.

Sacres music for the soul.

Bernard Têtu is the director of the Lyon Chœurs et Solistes association. Working together with Pierre Alain Jaffrenou, who initiated Grame, and the Lyon centre national de création musicale, this team has achieved a feat of directorship in creating a spectacular concert with visual and lighting effects.
This will be an exceptional event with no less than 8 solo vocalists of the highest caliber, an event which gives a new meaning to the word "sacred".

Buyers and sellers of antiques…

For those who simply can't get enough of antiques, for collectors or simply the curious, a great auction is scheduled to take place at the Bayeux Hôtel des Ventes. 19th Century artwork, paintings, engravings, porcelain, tin-glazed earthenware, furniture and silverware will be available.

Items will be on display the morning of the auction.

A marvellous wonderland.

An Italian Garden is a marvellous wonderland. It represents the ideal of natural harmony, an ideal which ties into Renaissance culture. This type of garden is like a poetic dream to create an ideal, miniature world - a utopian balm for the senses, the mind and the body…

Such poetic mind has crafted an elaborate performance, a complex choreography on a set designed by architects and gardeners, a stage that is all perspective and allegory. The boxwood labyrinths, the statues, floral compositions, the waterworks and multi-hued slabs of stone… All of these elements tell a story, a mere whisper, enchanting the starry-eyed spectator.

Tribal Genius.

Tribu, a laureat at the Défense Jazz Contest in 1997, is only one of the many projects launched by trombonist Geffroy de Masure.
His modesty vis a vis the media is in reverse proportion to the incredible level of talent that these musicians have achieved together. Their music is without a doubt a tribute to, or at least inspired by, legendary sax-player Steve Coleman and the M-Base movement.

A night for world music…

For the 14th time, this "worldly" event will honour local musicians. These major performances bring world cultures to Normandy and are an opportunity to meet people, to explore musical worlds and to discover global culture. Prepare to be thrilled, this will be a moment of intense emotion for both artist and audience.

A festive event upon the high seas!

Two days of intense activities throughout the whole of France, the Fête du Nautisme, or "Nautical Festival", will take over coastal regions as well as lake and river-sides. Young and old, landlubbers and trained sailors alike, are all invited to take to the waters for an exciting weekend.
This will be a great opportunity to discover some of the many nautical activities that are around, to test a particular product and, most importantly, to share your passion with actual seamen and professionals who are sailing the high seas every day.

Sailing through the camera lens…

Born in 1997 in the Honfleur harbour in Normandy, the Nomad Chronicles Festival is once again sailing the high seas of travel photography. Honfleur itself is historically notable as the hometown of many an explorer and navigator…

The festival Chroniques nomades is an invitation, a travel ticket so to speak. The town of Honfleur is the last port of call before the spectator sets sail like the great navigators of yore towards uncharted lands…

The Nomad chronicles are an opportunity for festival-goers of the Normand coast to widen their horizons, to discover the art of photography. Visitors can get a snapshot of the world of photography thanks to an increasing number of visiting professionals, both those hardened by experience and the young talents of today's photo industry.

The Day everything changed…

Come celebrate the Allied landings during this festive, popular event. Travel back in time to early June 1944, to the 5th to "Relive the night of the Landings" and to the 7th to "Celebrate the liberation of Bayeux!".

D-Day festival honours a great day, June 6th 1944, when the Allied troupes landed in Normandy, changed the history of the world, and allowed France to know the taste of freedom once more.

Over 60 years after this monumental event, most of the agents of this landing have dissapeared and have taken their memories with them. It is primordial to remember History and to transmit the lessons learned to the younger generations so that they know the terrible price of freedom.

A satire of power; a moral tale.

Der Kaiser von Atlantis is a parable on notions of death and totalitarianism, a gripping and fascinating example of an embedded story. This opera shows incomparable musical sensitivity, but more importantly it testifies to the fundamental importance of artistic creation.

Though the context of the work's creation could not be taken for granted, Olivier Dejours and Charles Tordman aimed to let the work speak for itself without overloading it with references. In doing so they have created a moving performance, a macabre moral tale that speaks to the soul.

A great big party for everyone!

The Normandy Tour is a vintage car rally throughout Normandy which aims to promote tourism in the region.

This 2008 edition will be four days of non-stop excitement, thrills and good times, thanks to the Village du Tour.

The "Tour Village" is the mini-fair set up by organisers as a backdrop for the actual event. Free of charge, the Village is open to all visitors, young and old. In addition to the spectacular car show that this event represents, one can discover the customs, handicrafts and gastronomy of Normandy.
Legendary automobiles, stands with some of the best local terroir produce and a local music band will make this Tour a fantastic car show, rally and cultural fair!

Flowers invade Cherbourg!

Gardens will be in the spotlight, the sylvan centre of attention, for a whole month.

A new promenade, a new and exciting natural escapade, is scheduled every Sunday. Garden Month is an opportunity to discover the hidden Edens of Cherbourg, from the Old Military Hospital to the Liais Park and of course the Grimenil greenhouses.

International Sailing Week in Deauville

International renown, prestigious image and an ideal position in Northern Europe - Deauville is a perfect setting for a large-scale international nautical event.
British teams from Solent as well as Irish, Belgians, Dutch, Germans and Scandanavians are all invited to participate against the French sailing team.

The Deauville Yacht Club was founded in 1928 by famous aviator Louis Breguet and has been host to some of the most spectacular regattas, from the J-class to Virginie Hériot's 6-meter JI. A prestigious yachting club, it also has its goals set for the future, actively supporting the launch of new events.

This annual event aims to make France a top destination for racing by uniting the most competitive sailors and events in the world. The catagories are: monotypes (identical sailboats racing in real time) and prestigious (Melges 24, Mumm 30, J 105 and J 109) or groups of boats of similar size grouped together in 3 different classes of 40, 45, and 52 feet - also racing in real time. This demanding athletic event is sure to guarantee an intense, thrilling experience for onlookers.

Wartime vestiges…

The once-great saviour of lives, the René Labas regional Military Hospital, is no more. Nevertheless, the imposing Napoléon III structure still stands in the centre of the park, safe and secure behind tall schist walls.

This guided tour allows one to rediscover the park, with its rough terrain and towering trees, as well as the beautiful architecture of surrounding buildings.

Truly traditional cuisine…

The Mère Poulard Inn, located on the famed Mont Saint-Michel, is turning 120 this year!

Established in the late 19th century, the inn owes its name to person who orchestrated its foundation and success: Annette Poulard. Annette was only 20 when the Mont, which had become a prison after the French revolution, returned to its normal state as a site of pilgrimage.

In 1888 Annette and her husband decided to open an auberge or inn, a place where pilgrims and visitors could enjoy a healthy meal and a warm bed. Annette was soon known as Mère Poulard ("Mother Poulard"), for "mère" was at the time used to designate exceptionally good cooks. Year by year, visitors would pour in to delight in the 700 or so recipes served by the Auberge, including the now famous Mère Poulard omelette.

Nowadays, years after Annette passed away, the Auberge strives to perpetuate her gastronomical tradition. Some of her recipes found their way into supermarkets, and a number of traditional products (buiscits for example) bear the Mère Poulard label.

All aboard!

The Deauville Yacht Club, the city of Deauville and the French Yacht Club are working together to organise the International Dragon Open. All dragon-class yachts are invited to take part in this event.

The race is on a round-trip type of track.

From swing to rhythm and blues…

From swing to rhythm and blues and even some choreographed street dance…the best music and the best dancers find their place in a succession of different sets presenting acrobatics, vocals, magic and dance.

To bring out the very best response in the audience, the troop of artists and magicians pull out all the stops: virtuosity, energy, seduction, glamour, etc.

This is a review that is suitable for families, offering everyone an evening of spectacular entertainment.

Artistic feedback…

The imprint, the moulded, visual hallucinations, derealization, flux, entropy, memory, trace, violence, death, the body, energy, serialisation, fragmentation, objects which function at a symbolic level…

These complex, eclectic themes have one thing in common: Alberto Giacometti.

Based on a selection of sculptures, paintints and drawings by Giacometti, this exhibition will be displaying contemporary works by range of internationally-recognised artists, including Georg Baselitz, Michel Blazy, Louise Bourgeois, Fischli et Weiss, Anthony Gormley, Donald Judd, Alain Kirili…

The one-man orchestra.

Solorazaf is a virtuoso guitarist, bassist and drummer. He takes his inspiration from the traditional Malagasy repertoire, reinventing modern musical technique in a performance where he is the only player on stage. It is hard to believe that a single person can create such rich, complex and yet harmonious music. But believe we should, for Solorazaf was the lead guitarist during the world tours of Miriam Makeba, Dizzy Gillspie and Nina Simone in the 80's and 90's… His talent is not to be doubted.

Dancing through the paint…

Héla Fattoumi and Eric Lamoureux, both choreographers and directors at the Lower Normandy National Choreographical Centre, are special guests at the Giacometti in Perspective exhibition - they have developped an original performance within the museum itself.
In their own way, they continue where the exhibition left off by establishing an artistic dialectic with Giacometti's work, much in the same way as Annette Messager, Donald Judd, etc. Let them take you on a journey into the world of choreographed visual arts...

Sustainable art?

It seems that the sunflowers and poppies are thirsty, after all those years of hanging on a museum wall… Keeping up with art, and ecology, is now more than ever a necessity. This art exhibition and lecture questions the connection between the two… Does working with nature necessarily mean defending it? Or is it possible that 20th century art is simply plundering the myriad shapes and substances that nature has given us?

In honour of British and North American troops.

TheAmerica-Gold Beach Museum consists of two historic platforms: one commemorates the first airmail link between the USA and France by the three-engined Fokker "America" (29 June-1 July 1927).
The second is a retrospective dedicated to the British bridgehead on Gold Beach (6 June 1944). Scale models, dioramas and photographs are on hand to help the visitor gain a better understanding of these two key moments in the history of relations between Britain, the USA and France.

A regional product.

"Le Carrouges" is a farmhouse gruyère-type cheese that can also be found featuring in recipes by local restaurateurs as well as on the cheese counter at grocery stores.
Look for it on market stalls in Alençon, Argentan, Carrouges, la Ferté-Macé, Caen, Lisieux, Falaise and Bagnoles-de-l'Orne.

When in Normandy, drink cider!

Le Buhot farm is located near the town of Sées, in a former 15th century priory.
We make our cider from eight varieties of cider-apple.
You are cordially invited to taste our products at the farm.

On sale:
Cider: 2.03€ to 2.45€ per bottle;
Apple juice: 1.70€ ;
Aperitif: 9.15€.

Bringing to life the epic history of William the Conqueror.

For almost 1,000 years, this seemingly endless woollen tapestry has carried down through the ages its images depicting the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy.
Almost like an ancient precursor of the comic strip, it will transport you to the heart of this mediaeval epic, surrounded by Viking dragon-boats and Norman knights.

Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus was baptised here in 1873...

In the heart of the pedestrian zone, the 15th-16th century church of Notre-Dame is astonishing in its proportions, and in the elegance of its Flamboyant Gothic nave and the delicate tracery of sculpture on the porch, described as "dentelle de pierre", lace carved from stone.
Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus was baptised here in 1873; her baptismal robe is on display in a chapel on the northern side-aisle.
The church also features a magnificent set of 16th century stained glass.

Treasures of the deep.

In twenty five years of underwater exploration, a quantity of impressive remains and personal effects has been brought to the surface from the wrecks of the great warships that were sunk on and around 6 June 1944.
The North Atlantic was the scene of heavy fighting and has still to reveal all its secrets.

A place of Marian worship.

Funded by subscription, the first stone of the basilica was laid on 26 March 1855, and the church was consecrated on 7 May 1872 par Monseigneur Rousselet in the presence of a vast crowd.
On stepping inside the door, the visitor is transfixed by the play of light filtering through the 48 stained glass windows, the many ex votos, the scintillating reflections of the gold in the great Holy Trinity medallion above the Virgin.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the occasion of the Proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, the iconography of the basilica is dedicated to explaining, illustrating and glorifying this act of faith.
Special celebrations and pilgrimages are held on key dates in the Marian calendar, in the Month of Mary, and on the anniversary of the basilica's consecration.

Mature trees providing a home for diverse populations.

The forest, once a "royal forest", is made up of mature oaks and is divided into three massifs occupying the terraces of the Sarthe and the adjoining hills, and became a national forest in 1868.
Granite markers laid in 1875, still to be seen around the edges of the forest, mark the boundaries of its 1,190 hectares.
It provides a refuge for familiar forest animals and birds (deer, wild boar, hares, foxes, magpies, etc.) and the forest ponds are home to an immense variety of pond life.

A delicious market display.

Honfleur's traditional market is a positive delight for anyone who appreciates the best fresh fruit and vegetables or fish, as well as for lovers of fine food looking for the best local produce (milk jam, honey, marmalade, garden vegetables, orchard fruit, chicken, rabbit, cheese, farmhouse butter, foie gras, oysters, etc.)

An historic beach.

On the site of Omaha Beach itself, the 1,200m² museum presents a splendid collection of uniforms, weapons, personal effects and vehicles.
Impressive scenes and superb archive photos, maps, themed panels, a landing-craft, a Belgian barrier, a 155mm Long Tom gun, a Sherman tank and a film accompanied by personal accounts from U.S. veterans provide a clear explanation of the landings on Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc.

In praise of "xocoatl".

Chocolate had to journey from the other side of the world to bring its delights to Europe. The Chocolate Museum prides itself on explaining that journey and the history of chocolate from the time of the first cocoa trees, venerated by the Maya, until the arrival of the precious cocoa beans in Europe to be processed and turned into various preparations.
The highlight of the show? Watching, from behind glass windows, the preparation of drakkars, chocolates, mouldings and apples in Calvados.

Time-honoured knowhow.

The workshop exists to safeguard the knowhow handed down by the lace-makers of Bayeux from the 17th century.
The Conservatoire, a place to learn and perfect lace-making skills, keeps alive the technique of bobbin lace making.
Year-round exhibition, events and articles for sale.

World-famous stallions.

The Haras de Brullemail stud farm, in the famous Merlerault region, breeds sport horses.
Its stallions enjoy a worldwide reputation, and over 100 mares are covered every year during the breeding season from March to July.
In this 18th century country manor house, Bernard Le Courtois also breed mastiffs.

Abbey founded in the 6th century by Saint Evroult.

The abbey was pillaged and rebuilt in the 18th century, then dissolved at the time of the Revolution.
In 1839, the abbey became a major seminary.
The present Neo-Classical chapel dates from this period.
Purchased in 1936 by a national health fund, the Caisse d'Assurance Maladie of the Ile-de-France, the abbey is now used as a physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre.
It is only open for visits on national heritage days (Journées du Patrimoine).

Learn the professional driver's touch.

A stable of 90 performance cars, rotated regularly, takes you roaring along the track and roads running through 90 hectares of exceptional settings as you discover the thrill of driving.
Daily and by appointment for groups and individuals, get in training for one of five activities:
Grand Prix go-karting: steer your 270cm3 sports kart round the 800-metres FFSA-aproved track;
25€ per half-hour and per person (includes initial briefing, time trials and race, minimum age: 14) ;
Quad biking on 15km of off-road tracks and paths;
25€ per half-hour and per person, minimum age: 6;
Driving a Lotus Super 7 (115 CV, 520 kg);
80€ per half-hour and per car, driving licence required;
Driving a Lotus Elise (130 CV) or Spider Renault Sport (150 CV) for an introduction to race drivng on a 2km race-track;
95€ per half-hour and per car, permanent radio contact with the instructor, personalised comments, driving licence required;
In association with Renault Sport, take the wheel of the Mégane RS, Clio RS or Clio V6;
100€ per 1/2 hour per car, 40€ for an introductory drive in a Clio V6.

Help yourself!

Fine French and foreign foods, dinner + show, snacks, business functions, birthdays or get-togethers.
Whether in the centre of Cherbourg, around a table in one of the many restaurants of Haut-Cotentin or on the traditional markets, every day or for that special occasion, treat yourself to delicious old favourites or new taste sensations.

The thrill of the deep.

La Cité de la Mer, which opened on 29 April 2002, is a vast scientific, cultural and fun centre devoted to the immense riches of the oceans and oceanographic exploration.
Exceeding all expectations, the Cité welcomed its millionth visitor in July 2005.!
Encouraged by these visitor numbers, the Cité de la Mer is now launching a second extension phase.
The origins of the Cité de la Mer, which enjoys an enviable situation in the former Cherbourg trans-Atlantic passenger docks, were twofold: to revive an Art Deco masterpiece, the former trans-Atlantic passenger terminal, and to make the nuclear submarine Le Redoutable the biggest submarine open to the public in the world. Those aims have been achieved.
The gradual descent into the abyss, during a three-hour journey into a fault in the ocean floor, is organised according to two major themes:
The Submarine, with an introduction to the Redoutable, the biggest submarine open to the public anywhere in the world.
For 45 minutes, the voice of the Captain explains how a nuclear submarine works and what life onboard is like for its crew.

The Ocean, which concentrates on exploring and using the rich resources of the ocean, and which centres around one of the deepest aquariums in Europe (10.70m) containing over 3,500 fish.