Wine, music, song, stars... and Lego

AUGUST starts tomorrow so here are a selection of events across France for you to enjoy, whether you like wine, music and song or different pastimes such as jousting, star-gazing or seeing giant Lego sculptures.

Send us photos of any event you attend, email to news[at]connexionfrance.com

La Route du Champagne,
Les Riceys, Aube, August 1-2
A weekend for discovering the local champagne producers who open their cellars to visitors and also put on a wide variety of exhibitions and workshops showing local art, crafts and classic cars. In the village itself there are several festivities including music, fireworks and games for children. Price for a champagne flute and map giving entry and free tastings: €20. Cellars open: Saturday 11.00-19.00. Sunday 10.00-18.00.
2015.routeduchampagne.com

Les Grandes Tablées du Saumur-Champigny,
Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, August 5-6
2km of tables, 1km of baguettes, 4,000 bottles of Saumur Champigny and 3,000 meals are served every year on the first Wednesday and Thursday of August in the centre of Saumur. This year Great Britain is the guest of honour and the wine-growers will wear bowler hats. Pork pies, chutney and red berry crumble will be on the menu. Price: €12 meal and glass of wine. €5 glass of wine only. Reservation essential.
www.ot-saumur.fr

Les Nuits de Saint-Sauveur,
Yonne, August 6-9
A music festival aimed at all ages in the grounds of a chateau with a different theme each night; funk-soul, pop-rock and electro and during the day there are plenty of activities especially for children with water games and creative workshops.
www.lesnuitsdesaintsauveur.fr

Pink Garlic Festival,
Lautrec, Tarn August 7-8
This area specialises in the Ail Rose and the highlight of the festival is a competition to produce the longest manouille string of garlic. The record so far is 23m27. There is also a competition for the best artistic composition made with garlic and the best garlic tart plus a market where you can find all variations of this classic element of French cuisine.
www.ailrosedelautrec.com

Les Nuits des Etoiles,
throughout France, August 7-9
More than 300 observatories and star watching sites welcome the public to enjoy the wonders of the night sky with this year’s theme being the climate and the atmosphere of the planets. Entry is free.
www.afanet.fr/Nuits

Le Grand Spectacle du Festival #Interceltique de Lorient le dimanche 16/08 à 20h50 sur France 3 et @Culturebox pic.twitter.com/tJZUuMJ0QM— France 3 (@France3tv) July 29, 2015

Festival Interceltique de Lorient,
Morbihan, August 7-16
Cornwall and the Isle of Man are the two regions highlighted in this year’s festival dedicated to Celtic culture. As well as 200 concerts with 4,000 artists, including this year Simple Minds, there is the grand procession, opportunities to play and watch Celtic sports, dance classes, art exhibitions and talks. The average ticket price is €19.50.
www.festival-interceltique.bzh

Festival de l’Eau Vive,
Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, August 13-16
To coincide with the World Cup ICF Canoe Kayak Slalom Final in a special white water stadium there is a festival to introduce the public to the excitement of the sport with trial sessions as well as concerts and entertainment. €10 a day with access to competitions and festival. Free from 18.00 for concerts.
pau.worldcup.events.slalom.canoeicf.com

Les Fêtes de la Mer, Arcachon,
Gironde, August 14-15
The whole town comes together to pay homage to the sea and seafarers. There is a giant picnic next to the water with music and fireworks on August 14 and 3,000 people are expected to take part. Everyone wears a yellow scarf. Assumption is celebrated on the 15th with an open air mass and blessing at sea with a parade of boats decked out with yellow flowers.
www.arcachon-tourisme.com

Sea Shanty and World Sea Music Festival,
Paimpol, Côtes-d’Armor, August 14-16
Paimpol harbour welcomes 200 traditional boats for its festival celebrating the real sounds of music inspired by life on the sea. This year it takes inspiration from Portugal, Africa and South America and as well as music there are plenty of exhibitions, local food tasting sessions and children’s activities. Tickets necessary for concerts.
www.paimpol-festival.fr

Medieval Festival,
Monflanquin, Lot-et-Garonne, August 15-16
Every year the village goes back in time with non-stop concerts, a banquet, a market, parades and a camp with plenty of activities to savour the Middle Ages. This year the theme is “the East and the West and the Return of the Knights Templar”. You can rent a costume for €25 (adult).
www.monflanquin-tourisme.com

The Art of the Brick,
Porte de Versailles, Paris, until August 30
An exhibition which is touring the world with more than 100 brightly coloured and inventive sculptures made out of one million Lego bricks by contemporary New York-based artist Nathan Sawaya. You can also have a go at making your own creations: Entry €16.50 (adult) €13.50 (under 12 years). Open every day 10.00-19.00
www.brickartist.com

Connexion works with local tourist offices for the information here. Due to the possibility of last-minute changes to programmes and event timing we recommend you check with individual organisers before making a trip