Things to do this month in Lille, Deauville and many heritage sites around France

1. Join the medieval merriment 

Crémieu, a Petite Cité de Caractère 45kms east of Lyon in Isère (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) will be gripped by medieval mania this month for the annual festival Les Médiévales de Crémieu.

For two days, the town will see history come alive with costumed parades, street performers, jugglers and troubadours, set against an authentic medieval backdrop of ramparts and fortified gates, market halls, churches, cloisters, convents, squares and ancient alleyways.

Equestrian displays and a huge banquet in the market hall round off the fun.

September 12-13, free entry.

2. Explore France’s diverse heritage

Culture vultures are in for a treat wherever they live in France, with the 43rd European Heritage Days (Journées européennes du patrimoine) on the weekend of September 19-20.

The event, created in 1984 by the Ministry of Culture, showcases the extraordinary richness of France’s heritage through unique events, unusual tours and special openings.

You can discover heritage in all its diversity: religious buildings, administrative, military or judicial buildings, memorial sites, industrial sites and artisan workshops. Many private residences also specially open their doors.

Enjoy guided and themed tours, traditional craft demonstrations, theatrical performances, concerts and more. This year’s two themes are “Photographic Heritage” and “Heritage at Risk: Revitalize, Resist, Reimagine.”

To find a site near you, visit the interactive map on the website.

3. American cinema honoured

Every year, the chic Normandy seaside town of Deauville honours American cinema, with premieres and stars from major Hollywood studio productions alongside independent films.

It is the only European festival of this scale to be open to the public – more
than 100 screenings are held at three venues: the Deauville International Centre, Casino Barrière Cinema and Morny Cinema.

Actor and director Roschdy Zem is the jury president for the 52nd edition. Prizes include the Grand Prize and the Jury Prize; the Breakthrough Award; and the Critics’ Award, presented by critics and journalists.

This year’s poster features the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French to the Americans, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year – this year also marks the 250th anniversary of US independence.

Runs from September 4-13.

4. Brocante and moules-frites

Readers in the Nord département who enjoy chiner (antique hunting) should head to Lille early in September for the massive annual Braderie de Lille.

As Europe’s largest flea market, it takes over the centre of the city, with 100km of stands, and welcomes more than two million visitors who come to browse the wares of 10,000 stallholders.

As with any brocante or antiques fair, arriving early on the first day offers the best chance to find great deals on everything from furniture and games to home décor, toys and books.

However, while the event officially opens at 08:00 on Saturday, organisers say you can arrive on Friday evening to get the best bargains.

After all that browsing, enjoy a plate of traditional moules-frites offered by many restaurants around the city.

Runs from September 5-6; admission is free.