November 2015: 11 events in France

Discover 11 events happening in France in November 2015, including several food festivals, music festivals, a hot-air balloon flight and an exhibition in Paris dedicated to chocolate

Salon du Chocolat, Paris, 28 October – 1 November

Chocoholics among you make your way to Paris this month for the 21st Salon du Chocolat at Porte de Versailles. Taking place from 28 October to 1 November, the event includes demonstrations from world-famous chefs, music and rituals from cocoa-producing countries, workshops for children, tastings and all things chocolaty. For the first time, the Salon du Chocolat will host the World Chocolate Masters Final so visitors can watch the best chocolatiers fight it out to be crowned World Chocolate Master. Entry to the Salon du Chocolat costs €14 for adults.

www.salonduchocolat.frFoire International et Gastronomique de Dijon, Burgundy, 30 October – 11 November

Famous for its mustard, the town of Dijon in Burgundy welcomes thousands of visitors to its annual Foire International et Gastronomique de Dijon, this year running from 30 October to 11 November. The fair is an opportunity for local producers to present their wares and for chefs to demonstrate their skills but also for visitors to discover the delights of a guest country. This year’s guest country is Chile and there will be a pavilion dedicated to the culture, gastronomy and wines of the South American country. The fair takes place at the Parc des Expositions in Dijon. Entry: €6.20 for adults.

www.foirededijon.comLa Toussaint, 1 November

The Catholic holiday La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) is a national holiday celebrated across France on 1 November. traditionally it is a day to remember your deceased relatives and often families gather at gravesides to place flowers, usually chrysanthemums. expect to see shops and markets full of chrysanthemums in the run up to La toussaint, and you will find that most shops and businesses are closed for the day.

Nuits du Jazz, Nantes, 4-8 November

With a diverse repertoire of songs and artists, the Nuits du Jazz festival in Nantes offers something for everyone. Running from 4-8 November at the Cité des Congrés and Radisson Blu, in Nantes, The festival welcomes new artists to perform with the Côte Ouest orchestra.

www.nuitdujazz.comRassemblement International de Montgolfières, Le Puy-en-Velay, 6-8 November

The volcanic outcrops of the Massif Central, the pretty village of Brive-Charensac and the striking statue of Notre-Dame de France towering over Le Puy-en-Velay all provide the perfect backdrop for the annual Rassemblement International de Montgolfières. Hot-air balloonists gather for the festival, taking place from 6-8 November, and you can join them by booking a flight with the Puy-en-Velay tourist office or the association Montgolfière-en-Velay. or, if you prefer to keep your feet on firm ground, you can watch the spectacle from below.

www.montgolfiere-en-velay.frArras Film Festival, 6-15 November

Fans of the silver screen will love the Arras Film Festival which takes place in the northern French town from 6-15 November. During the 10-day period, there will be screenings of more than 100 films with new releases and sneak previews, as well as classics. The spotlight will focus in particular on European cinema with screenings of previously unreleased films. A festival pass costs €60 and a 10-film pass costs €45. Details of the film screenings and times are on the website.

www.arrasfilmfestival.comBlues sur Seine, Paris, 6-21 November

The annual Blues sur Seine Festival offers performances from 70 different groups of musicians. On stages to the west of Paris and across 99 venues, festival-goers have the choice of over 160 events over the 16 days from 6-21 November. The festival offers a wide and inclusive programme of the different types of blues, from rock blues to folk and african blues, and so has entertainment for the whole family.

www.blues-sur-seine.comArmistice Day, 11 November

Those who lost their lives during the First World War are remembered at ceremonies across France on Armistice Day on 11 November. French president François Hollande will lead the ceremony in Paris by laying a tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe, while commemorations will take place at memorial sites at northern France’s former battlefields.

Salon Saveurs et Terroirs, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, 13-15 November

The delights of Mediterranean cuisine are on display at the annual Salon Saveurs et Terroirs at the Centre Expo Congrès in Mandelieu-la-Napoule from 13-15 November. Pick up some gourmet Christmas gifts at the hundreds of stands selling regional products, learn some new recipes for your dinner parties from the chef demonstrations or just treat yourself to a wine tasting. Culinary delights you can expect to see include Provence wine, foie gras, cheese, charcuterie and local pastries. Entry costs €5.

www.salon-gastronomie.comBeaujolais Nouveau, Burgundy, 19 November

At one minute past midnight on Thursday 19 November – the third Thursday of November – the eagerly anticipated 2015 vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau is released and the celebrations begin. The biggest celebration is Les Sarmentelles in the town of Beaujeu. The festivities start on the afternoon of Wednesday 18 November with a balloon release and concerts, and continue for five days with fireworks displays, parades and tastings of the new vintage.

www.sarmentelles.comLes Gastronomades, Angoulême, 27-29 November

Discover the gastronomic delights of Charente at Les Gastronomades, an annual food festival in Angoulême running from 27-29 November. A celebration of local cuisine from field to plate, the event welcomes farmers and growers, chefs, food manufacturers and restaurant owners to educate visitors. There will be cookery demonstrations and culinary competitions between chefs, exhibitions, tastings and market stalls where you can pick up some oysters or perhaps a bottle of cognac or pineau des Charentes. The event is free and is held at a number of venues in Angoulême.

www.gastronomades.frEvents in France in October 2015