Historical treasures land in the capital
Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh, Paris, March 23 – September 15
There is no Pharaoh more iconic than Tutankhamun, his turquoise striped death mask a blazing symbol of the Egyptians’ wealth, culture and advanced civilisation. For the first time in the history of Egyptology, more than 150 pieces from the treasure chest of the boy-Pharaoh are on display in La Grande Halle de La Villette to mark the 100 year anniversary since British archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered the tomb from the Valley of Kings in Egypt’s sun-baked south.
Amongst the jewellery, sculptures of deities and ceremonial coffins, visitors are taken on a journey through the intense rituals and beliefs of a scarcely understood civilisation. Fifty of the objects on display have never before left Egypt and at the exhibition’s close, will be housed permanently at the Great Egyptian Museum, currently being built in the Giza Plateau.
These precious treasures are the pinnacle of humanity’s cultural heritage: from splendid death masks of the guardians who guarded the Pharaoh’s sarcophagus to impossibly detailed statues crafted from lapis lazuli and gold. On loan from the Louvre is the speckled diorite statue of the god Amun, the boy King’s protector and namesake. Entry tickets are pricey but in light of each artefact’s life span and miraculous preservation, this impressive exhibition is well worth the cost.
lavillette.com/programmation/toutankhamon_e185
Atlantide, Les mots du monde à Nantes, Festival des littératures, Nantes, February 28 – March 3
This four-day celebration of words sees over fifty French and international authors descend on Nantes to debate some of the most pressing questions facing society and share their literary ideas.
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In addition to the actor-led book readings, talks with authors and themed discussions, it is a great place to pick up some new, intrepid reading material by authors from over 20 different countries.
atlantide-festival.org
Foie Gras Festival, Sarlat-la-Canéda, March 2 - 3
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Foie gras has garnered negative press – largely outside France – but in the Périgord, delicacies made from goose liver are relished by the population and this weekend is in celebration of the region’s culinary traditions.
Stock up on local produce in the market, held in the Place de la Liberté and watch as a gaggle of geese are guided through the medieval town.
There are cooking demonstrations, tastings of Périgourdine soup made from a goose carcass and an elaborate banquet, featuring an all-goose menu.
tinyurl.com/y9pzoq4n
Carnaval des deux rives de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, March 3
Chariots, costumes and parades bring life to the city’s majestic streets, where the Bordelais throw themselves into the fun from the banks of the Garonne.
Since 1996, the carnivalesque atmosphere welcomes the arrival of spring to the Aquitaine and an energetic cocktail of dance workshops, a grand parade at 14:00 and musical performances awaits.
As well as huge digital displays, carnival goers can now download an app for an augmented reality festival experience.
carnavaldesdeuxrives.fr
Bordeaux Swing Art Festival, Bordeaux, March 15 - 17
Gatsby-era glamour arrives in Bordeaux accompanied by the Charleston, flapper dresses and lots of dancing. Meet the international swing dance community at solo jazz classes, Lindy hop sessions and swing parties, where live bands play.
swingtime.fr
Les Traces du Fromage, Aubrac, March 17
This hike through the remote beauty of the Massif Central really is a moveable feast. Combining the gastronomy of the region with mountain air, Les Traces allows ramblers to discover the old slate-roofed cheesemaking cottages known as a burons.
At each, there are tastings of regional Laguiole cheese, Gentiane – an apéritif made from a local wild flower – and vin chaud. The routes depart from two ski resorts, Le Bouyssou at Laguiole and Brameloup and three distance options (12, 18, or 21 km) prevent things from becoming too taxing. At the end reward yourself with a hearty portion of cheesy aligot and local Aubrac meat – renowned for its quality – at Le Royal Aubrac,
a grande dame of a building surrounded by snowy countryside.
tinyurl.com/ybxdmu8d
Le Printemps du Cinéma, across France, March 17 - 19
Outside, the sun might be shining and the flowers blooming but inside, the nation’s cinemas are paying homage to France’s rich history of moviemaking.
For just four euros, indulge in the nostalgia of New Wave pioneers such as Jean-Luc Godard and Jean Cocteau or the magical realism of Jean-Pierre Jeunet, famous for Amélie. Cinemas across France participate in the weekend.
printempsducinema.com
Rock the Pistes Festival, Portes du Soleil, March 17 - 21
This winning combination of skiing and music sees some 28,000 festival goers flock to the 650 km Portes du Soleil area.
Ski every morning before heading to the live afternoon concerts where tunes blare out at an altitude of 1,600km. The line-up of French and international rock-pop groups includes Charlie Winston playing in Morgins, Switzerland and Franco-American Gaëtan Roussel in Champéry.
Come nightfall, DJs mix beats in après ski bars, while the peaks of Alps in the backdrop add to the high drama.
en.rockthepistes.com
Avignon Motor Festival, March 22 - 24
Engines growl at this annual classic car festival that brings the retro flair of over 2,600 vehicles to Provence’s theatrical city.
Held at the Parc Expo, amateurs and professionals unite to watch car demonstrations and neck-to-neck races.
Admire 100 years of Citroën’s iconic production while chatting all things automobile. Some cars are for sale, so this a great place to bag yourself a sports car for the summer.
avignon-motor-festival.com
Soirée Poésie-Musique, Printemps Des Poètes, Saint-Céré, March 22
As part of Printemps des Poètes, the Théâtre de l’Usine in idyllic Saint-Céré (Lot) combines poetry with music for
the evening, letting you appreciate the sonority of the two art forms, regardless of your level of French.
tinyurl.com/yc3chmm9
Les Chants de Mars, Lyon, March 23 - 30
This low-key music festival draws people of all ages through its cleverly designed programme of live concerts, some held in intimate café settings, others on bigger outdoor stages in the park.
French artists from all genres perform around Lyon blending pop, hip hop and folk flavours into their popular music.
leschantsdemars.com
Printemps des Arts of Monte-Carlo, Monaco, March 15 until April 14
Each weekend for a month, numerous musical concerts take place in prestigious venues throughout the city.
Discover the prinicpality’s splendid Oceanographic Museum amidst the music of a South African quartet or enjoy the splendour of the Opéra Garnier, accompanied by traditional Mongolian throat-singers.
Visual art displays and talks with artists compliment the music, which combines classical with experimental sounds.
printempsdesarts.com/en/index
Vingt-quatre heures de la vie d’une femme, Saint-Etienne, until September 22
Borrowing its title from Stefan Zweig’s novel, this exhibition at the Musée d’art moderne et contemporain takes viewers through a narrative that oscillates between the banal and the fantastic.
Both oddly familiar and emotional, drawings, sculptures, photography and designs from 135 artists, collected from 1833 to 2019, reveal a glimpse inside the lives of hundreds of women.
tinyurl.com/y7sdq3tn
Venetian Carnival of Annecy, Annecy, March 15 - 17
As the snows begin to melt in the mountains, a Venetian carnival pops up in the Alps, of all places, organised by the Annecy’s Italian Association. Annecy is known as the Alpine Venetia thanks to the series of waterways that criss-cross the charming town, but blissfully it is free from crowds.
During the festival women wearing beautiful masks and dresses flitter around the lake like colourful birds, taking part in a series of parades and twilight walks. Befitting the setting, the atmosphere is refined and elegant;
a marked difference from the rowdy raucousness of France’s Mardi Gras
festivals in February.
Forget the brass bands and cider-drunk crowds; these masked individuals are completely silent and glide through Annecy’s old town before pausing at the Jardin de l’Europe, overlooking the lake.
Photo opportunities abound here in streets uncluttered by the tourist-tat that clings to the streets of the real Venice carnival. For something a little special, reserve a seat at the lavish banquet, held on the Saturday night.
aria74.fr/pages/carnaval-venitien
Le Tour de Normandie, Normandy, March 25 - 31
Fortunately for those who eagerly await Le Tour de France each summer, the Tour de Normandie cycliste means cycle-lovers can get stuck into racing a few months early.
The professionals get back in the saddle for the seven stage race which conjures up a tricky route. Totalling 1,131.5km, the route covers a distance roughly one third of that raced in Le Tour de France. It is both good training for Alpine climbs and a fun way to explore the region.
The Grand Départ takes place at Juno Beach in Calvados where the péloton shoots out of Courseulles-sur-Mer, taking in the rugged coastline before heading inland towards historic towns, via climbs as steep as 7.8%. Each morning, join the cycle-enthusiasts in the stands to cheer off the competitors before trying a more leisurely ride of your own.
The first Tour de Normandie cycliste took place in 1939 but took a pause between the 1950s and 80s, before becoming an annual event once again in 1981.
tourdenormandiecycliste.fr
The Connexion works with local tourist offices for the information on this page. Due to possible last-minute changes to programmes and event timing we recommend that you always check with individual organisers before making a trip.
