Events & festivals in Normandy in December

Humanism as a way of life.

La Phaze is made up of three wacky musicians: Dammy Baluteau, Arnaud Fournier and Dj Mouf.

Originally from Nantes, the trio is dedicated to humanism as a religion, almost as a way of life. They have unleashed their unique "pungle" style (a blend of jungle, D'n'B, free jazz and punk) on France and the world in general, to the delight of many new fans. Their latest album, Miracle, will be showcased on their French tour. Don't miss out!

Witness the unseen…

This troupe was once the "Bonjour Circus", and then the "Imaginary Circus"… Now, suddenly, they have turned invisible, and it is mostly children who have the imagination to really see their performance (as well as a few adults who never really grew up).

These unorthodox, unusual and impressive performers have concocted a great show that will have the little ones roaring with laughter and starry-eyed with amazement.

Create!

In an age where arts and crafts are all the rage, where the "hand-made" label has a ring of prestige, the exhibitors of the Salon des Loisirs Créatifs present their wares.

This show is dedicated to a variety of fields: embroidery, pearl-necklace making, haberdashery, flower-work, calligraphy, and so much more! Workshops will be organised to introduce newcomers to various disciplines and hobbies… You will find everything you need to take up a creative activity at this show.

A band that pleases every ear.

This Armenian pianist, barely 20 years old, has been bringing home prize upon prize for his jazzy piano skills; one notable award was his prestigious Thelonius Monk prize in 2006. Tigran Hamazyan will be playing with the Moutin brothers, probably the most popular percussionists in French and even international jazz.

"During his recent performance at the Olympia, Tigran Hamasyan revealed his unbelievable skills; he is a virtuoso, at once lost in the madness of music and perfectly in control, revealing a puissance and delicateness unlike any other […]. He walked out of there with the audience in his pocket."
Michel Contat, Télérama

Keep your head in the clouds…

Clouds are the central motif of this artistic event, the protagonist in this story. Clouds and variants of clouds (fog, plumes of smoke, gaseous emanations, skyscapes…) represent a pictorial experience unlike any other. Watching clouds is about the action of seeing, but also about interpretation and truth.

In films, clouds remain a useful tool, a stylistic device among many others; how do directors use this strange language? Look to the skies in wonder…

For your eyes only.

Artists of the 16th and 17th centuries took a great deal of inspiration from Greco-Roman mythology, borrowing great fables of battles, debaucheries, metamorphoses and other magical happenings.

Nymphs, Sirens, Satyrs and other fabulous creatures exist among Hercules, Venus, Bacchus or Apollo, in scenes of Ovid's works or Antique stories.

The engravings on display throughout the exhibition are all from the Mancel collection and feature some of the most renowned Renaissance figures (Mantegna, Marco Dente, Caraglio, Aldegrever, Dürer, Georg Pencz, etc.) along with 17th century engravors who work with Rubens or the Carrache.

An energetic, young formation.

The Pélleas chamber orchestra has just ended a number of productions in partnership with the Les Brigands company over the past few seasons (Ta Bouche, Toi c'est moi), and a representation of Offenbach's The Robbers this season. The musicians decided to organise this chamber formation for the long term, working with conductor Benjamin Lévy.

Thus this talented orchestra came to be, sponsored by Marc Minkowski. Directed by a Lévy, a masterful conductor, the orchestra is built around a committee made up of a few musicians in the vein of certain British or German formations.

"Stylistically-speaking, the orchestra uses new instruments to try to recapture the colour and general attributes of old-style music designed for ancient instruments," mentioned the committee. "For certain instruments which have evolved to such an extent that this becomes impossible (trumpets, kettledrums, trombones), we are known to play on antique instruments."

Being so dedicated to quality music, Benjamin Lévy has managed to round up a number of musicians (often soloists) from national and international formations. It was also his request that Marc Minkowski be the patron of this new formation.

A story to commemorate the fallen.

This expo will be telling a story. The story of the World Trade Center; of an attack in 2001; of firemen and rescue workers and construction workers; of a 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 very soul of this exhibition built on a collection 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…

A cultural journey into the land of the Rom…

Discover the Tzigane (Gypsy) tradition during this spectacular show, a display of Eastern European folk music and dance. Hungarian, Romanian and Russian cultures will be brought into the limelight…

The dancers really let go, overcome by the heart-rending violins of traditional songs, but also by the emotional power of great gypsy operettas such as Francis Lopez's Le Vagabond Tzigane or Kálmál's Princess Czarda.

90 years to heal…

This major exhibition on the First World War has been organised to commemorate the 90-year anniversary of the Armistice.

Photos, personal belongings, published works from Cherbourg… These items all deal with military life or with the civilian life of the city in the midst of a global conflict.

The Great Wars were not only about the soldiers on the field, as these testimonies reveal. In 2008, the question remains "What does World War I mean to us in today's world?" .

Electro-Russian Gypsy tunes…

Any who've been on the bandwagon led by Emir Kusturica or Goran Bregovic will have caught wind of this Gypsy phenomenon. Shantel is a German national of Romanian origin, a DJ and globe-trotter who embarks on many a musical adventure.

Carried by the brass booms of the Bucovina Club Orkestar, Shantel defies the norms by blending Balkan rhythms with Gypsy music and… Russian disco. His mixes seem almost entirely improvised, a blend of DJ-ing and live performance. Don't miss out on this great show unless you have a distaste for loud music that hits you at the core.

A new kind of magic comes out of the hat.

Xavier Mortimer is a versatile performer; he can do anything. Magician, mime, musician, dancer… Mortimer lines up trick after mind-boggling trick, plays the accordion, and can keep you interested from start to finish, swinging from mime performance to a Mary Poppins kind of world.

Season's greetings!

Whether you are looking for original gifts for the little ones, refined Christmas decorations for the house, or just hoping to feel some of that Christmas spirit, look no more! Head on to the Christmas market!

Artisans and producers will be there to present their latest creations, their best products and their freshest crops. Do your Christmas shopping in a warm, convivial atmosphere.

A tour you won't soon forget.

The museum will be organising a special tour for the opening of the Hall of Ramparts. The tour will explore a forge, a 14th-century house, and a mysterious underground network.

Be sure to visit the belvedere, from which there is a unique view of the ducal palace and dungeon… To get there, you have to find the secret lift that runs up the Medieval tower.

Keep your head in the clouds…

Clouds are the central motif of this artistic event, the protagonist in this story. Clouds and variants of clouds (fog, plumes of smoke, gaseous emanations, skyscapes…) represent a pictorial experience unlike any other. Watching clouds is about the action of seeing, but also about interpretation and truth.

In films, clouds remain a useful tool, a stylistic device among many others; how do directors use this strange language? Look to the skies in wonder…

Musical tours…

Tour the museum to find out about how the concept and representation of "incarnation" has evolved from 16th century paintings to the present day.

The tour will be led by Mrs Fouquet-Arnal, art historian, and P. Rollet, a notable theologist. The tour will be spliced with musical interludes to offer a more rounded sensory experience.

Elves and fairies, food and fun!

Deauville comes to life a few days before Christmas, shimmering and sparkling in a festive shower of lights. All across town, children are decorating trees and preparing their letters for Father Christmas who traditionally takes part in the great parade.

He will be arriving at his chalet on the Place du Marché, accompanied by his loyal elf, singers and dancers,. Here, fairies prepare glasses of chocolate milk for little ones and mulled wine for not-so-little ones to wash down the local specialities provided by generous town shopkeepers.
The celebrations continue until New Year's Day, with little plays and puppet shows, musicians, magicians and fire-breathers filling the streets of Deauville.

Take a ride in Santa's sleigh!

Make your way to the place François Mitterand in Lisieux for the second weekend of December, you'll be in for a treat! A special "Father Christmas Village" will be set up with gift ideas by the thousands! Jewellery, interior design, toys, local produce, terroir products…

It will also be a great opportunity for children to meet the star of the show, Saint-Nicholas himself, and take part in numerous activities and events. Experience the magic of Christmas by riding in Santa's mythical sleigh!

Keep your head in the clouds…

Clouds are the central motif of this artistic event, the protagonist in this story. Clouds and variants of clouds (fog, plumes of smoke, gaseous emanations, skyscapes…) represent a pictorial experience unlike any other. Watching clouds is about the action of seeing, but also about interpretation and truth.

In films, clouds remain a useful tool, a stylistic device among many others; how do directors use this strange language? Look to the skies in wonder…

La vie en rose

A musical biography is what audiences can expect from this stunning show.

Nathalie Lhermitte embodies the famous singer in her own particular way and Jacques Plessis tells the story.

Songs and important moments in Piaf's life come together and form a lovely hommage to the actress whose life was characterized by worldwide success and a tragic personal life.

A rounded artist.

Howard Barker's artwork, the English artist and playwright, is made up of about 50 pieces, poetry collections and works on theatre, and an Opera libretto. His "Theatre of Catastrophe" paints a portrait of human cruelty which is, paradoxically, all the more alluring for its intelligence and clarity of expression.

His powerful themes (mutilation, the establishment, spectacular or invisible violence) make his plays powerful, original and captivating. These themes come through in his artwork as well: large spaces, burnt lands, stark whites crossed by earthy greens, landscapes peopled with small figures caught mid-motion, as if interrupted by the viewer's gaze. It is up to the imagination to finish the motion.

Fragile, but worthwhile art.

This fascinating exhibition deals with the history of porcelain production in Bayeux, some of the highest quality in the world!

The Porcelaine de Bayeux expo is a sort of grand retrospective based on the immense collections of Michel J. Morlent and Ginette Aulombard-Morlent. Expect to see some magnificent pieces!

Every colour of jazz.

Jazz en Scènes is about inciting curiosity, bridging the gap between artist and audience with concerts in the afternoon and evenings… In short, this festival is about promoting the world of quality jazz.

The festival was designed to be a shared experience; with its two stages and inter-regional collaborations, it brings new talent into the limelight and inspires them with performances by some of the best in the business today.

For this 10-year anniversary, a total of 17 additional stages will be set up so that Jazz en Scène be the best possible experience. The line-up of this 2008 edition represents a panorama of the diversity of contemporary jazz; the music is thriving, inventive and universal. Don't miss out on this jazz showcase, a major festival for the whole family.

Art in the modern world.

Caen's Fine-Arts museum has been acquiring new works or collections since the year 2000. These are rare works, or at least rare in the public eye, having seen few exhibitions - this collection of "obscures" will be presented in the museum's main exhibition hall... Drawings and linocuts signed Jacques Pasquier; the got up series by conceptual artist On Kawara (1979); Philippe Boutibonne's carnets sur le nombre Pi; sketches signed José Maria Sicilia; prints by Jaume Plensa; and even monumental engravings created by Jim Dine and Georg Baselitz.

A great composer

Born in Bonn in 1770, young Ludwig developed a precocious interest in music, encouraged by his father who taught him the piano day and night. At age 8, the artist began giving public concerts in Cologne, after which he studied the organ and the art of composition with some of the great musicians of his time, all of which quickly noticed his unparalleled talent. It was at the age of 12 that Beethoven composed his first piece.

It was as if the floodgates of his genius had been opened: he wrote one masterpieces after the other, including the mythical 5th Symphony, until his death in 1827. Despite his handicap, this paragon of classical music achieved such a level of mastery that he will remain a benchmark of excellency for centuries to come.

The Great expanse of the North…

Photographer Sigurgeir Sigurjonsson and writer Unnu Jökulsdottir travelled the mysterious land known as Iceland to visit small, unknown villages, lost in the white countryside. Their objective was to capture the Icelanders who have adapted their traditions and heritage to the demande of the modern world. They met one group in particular which left a strong mark, having remained in their native environment despite the tides of change around them.

Five fingers that pack a serious punch.

Jean-Benoît Culot, star drummer from Caen, will be working with this super-energized quintet, "Five", to offer you beautiful moments of pure swing; Culot will be presenting his own version of tracks that influenced him throughout his life. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to hear some quality Sonny Clark, Donald Byrd, or Freddie Hubbard, as well as some original compositions.

The pearl of shellfish.

The good ol' Oyster Festival is back in town. Enjoy the cool sea breeze and saline ocean savours in a festive ambiance. This traditional festival, dedicated to this glorious, delectable product, l'huître, will feature numerous activities, oyster-sampling and much more for young and old alike.

Regional masterpieces.

This exhibition is the fruit of collaborations between no less than 24 museums, a project geared towards the promotion of the FRAM (a regional fund for museum acquisition) and of regional artwork.

Among the latest works acquired by the Fine-Arts museum in Caen, five will be displayed at the Saint-Georges church (Zoran Music, Balthus, Piero Pizzi Cannella, Pierre Buraglio, Vincent Bioulès) while the other works (Pierre Mignard, Salvator Rosa, Giovanni Battista Gaulli, Jacques-Emile Blanche, etc.), spread throughout the 24 museums, will feature a special mention on the wall text.

From religious to legend.

This exhibition will be focused on the works of Adolphe Lalyre, a painter during the late 19th century. Lalyre began his career creating religious artwork before moving particular themes he was fond of; notably the sea and the mythical sea creatures known as mermaids.

His fascination with these sea-creatures of legend resulted in unusual and inspired artwork.

Gypsy jazz…

Thomas Dutronc and his band of musicians dexterously revive the "manouche" spirit, the Rom musical culture, with an excellent mise en scene.

They blend exceptional skill with good-natured generosity, blending their ethnic, jazzy style with Brazilian and classical repertoires.

To see them live is to experience more than a concert, it is a rounded performance that will take your breath away. Their latest album (Comme un manouche sans guitare or "Like a gypsy without a guitar") came out in 2007.

Flash loaded, armed and ready.

The Fine-Arts Museum in Caen has been working with the Boréales Festival to organise this major exhibition dedicated to Anne Clarén. Holding is a sort of documentary/diary of Anna Clarén's life at a time when she was taking pictures literally 24/7; in the evenings she would leave the shutter open with a trigger system. The characters in this exhibition are close ones, family members and random passer-by met in the streets…

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.

Just around the château corner…

These works are an illustration of the evolution of sculpture. Each is a step in the progress of modern and contemporary sculpture either because of aesthetic choices, or because of the materials used. These works are obviously an important addition the the museum's collections, but more importantly they represent an arresting scene, an artistic surprise for the wanderers and visitors passing by…

Contemporary dance, with a Flemish edge…

Here are two full evenings and an amazing, rich programme to witness the creative prowess of choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and her Rosas company.

While the Ictus Ensemble will be on stage for the Steve Reich Evening, Zeitung will be adapting some of the most prestigious and popular compositions in the classical genre. Rather than take the masterpieces as they are, note for note, the performance will blend and contrast the works into a totally novel show. Experience 23 opuses signed Bach, Webern and Schönberg, put into music by star pianist Alain Franco.

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 enjoy this fantastic experience thanks to cutting-edge 3D-animation and simulator technology: discover 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!

Musical tours…

Tour the museum to find out about how the concept and representation of "incarnation" has evolved from 16th century paintings to the present day.

The tour will be led by Mrs Fouquet-Arnal, art historian, and P. Rollet, a notable theologist. The tour will be spliced with musical interludes to offer a more rounded sensory experience.

Changing over the centuries.

Attractive in its austerity, the castle of Carrouges is a distillation of history from the 14th to the 20th century. Initially a fortress that came under siege by the Plantagenets, it was rebuilt during the Hundred Years War (keep), extended in the 15th century (Blosset wing), ornamented during the Renaissance (Cardinal Le Veneur's pavilion) and fortified yet again during the Wars of Religion (western bastion). In the 16th century, it became a magnificent residence (suite of spacious apartments) and was redesigned under the Enlightenment (music room).
The former canonry, founded by Louis XI, is now the headquarters for the Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine.

The Longest Day.

A short distance from the beaches of the Normandy Landings, the Battle of Normandy memorial museum in Bayeux, the first town to be liberated on the morning of 7 June 1944, presents a unique and exhaustive picture of the fighting that took place on Norman soil between 7 June and 29 August 1944.
The museum displays were updated in 2006 and now alternate a classic historical account with themed sections, a new 25-minute archive film and presentations of Second World War equipment and uniforms illustrating the historical account. The new presentation gives a better understanding of the enormous war effort made in the course of this battle to win back freedom in Europe.

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.

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€.

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.

Fresh produce!

The ID Fruits orchards at Villiers-le-Sec open their gates to the public in June and July from Monday to Friday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m..
Get your fresh cherries here!
From October to April, pears and apples are on sale.

Lover of authentic local foods?

The farm is organised to handle the full range of farming operations starting with 2 day-old ducklings and ending in finished products for sale at the farm or at market.
The ducks grow and develop peacefully on the farm's three hectares of meadowland.
At 13 weeks, they are force-fed exclusively on whole grain corn.
The next step in preparation takes place in spacious areas under strictly-controlled conditions, to arrive at our outlets in the form of pâtés and ready-cooked dishes, duck terrine with whole foie gras or blocks, rillettes... Bon appétit!

Lest we forget.

In chronological order, the museum retraces the different stages in the history of the Second World War, from the exodus to the Liberation.
It stresses the primordial role played by the port of Cherbourg as a supply base for the Allied armies fighting to win back France.
The permanent collection has been reorganised and new displays created: prisoners of war, everyday life under the Occupation, and the victims of genocide. Whether this is your first visit or one of many, the Liberation Museum is well worth your attention.

An architectural monument.

Built in 1631 to plans drawn up by architect François Mansart, the Château de Balleroy is part of one of the first town-planning schemes ever executed in France, and that was to inspire Versailles.
In 1975, the first Balloon Museum was founded by Malcolm S. Forbes in one of the former stable buildings.
The 17th century dovecote and the grounds are also not to be missed.

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.

Mediaeval Bayeux.

The ancient historic centre of Bayeux has remained entirely mediaeval in its structure. Completely spared by the Allied bombardments of 1944, it proudly displays an extraordinary architectural heritage.
Solemnly consecrated on 14 July 1077, in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England, the cathedral underwent further expansion and embellishment from the 13th to the 15th century.

Norman collection.

The museum owns an extensive collection of 15th and 19th century works. From Fra Angelico to Camille Claudel by way of Guillaume Fouace and David, the museum offers a splendid collection of some 300 paintings and sculptures from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
As Normandy's third largest museum, it houses a unique collection of the works of Jean-François Millet, Van Gogh's "spiritual father" (some thirty paintings, plus sketches, charcoals and prints).
One room is entirely given over to the works of Guillaume Fouace, a local artist who enjoyed considerable success during his lifetime, particularly with his still-lifes. They hang in the section following the Millet exhibition...