THE GUIDE FESTIVALS 2016 Discover the best of the fests…


The spectacular Chorégies d’Orange is a French cultural calendar highlight


SPORTS & ACTIVITY FESTIVALS


International Dieppe Kite Festival Festival International de Cerf-Volant de Dieppe


September 10-18, 2016 Staged on the vast Dieppe beachfront, this biennial festival draws in top-level kite flyers from 40 or so countries around the world, making it (according to the organisers) “the biggest kite festival in the world”. As well as some beautifully designed kites, you also get to see fighting kites in action. The theme of this year’s festival is indigenous or traditional art. www.dieppe-cerf-volant.org


The Saint-Louis Festival Fête de la Saint-Louis August 18-23, 2016 Two enormous rowing boats full


140 ❘ FRANCE TODAY June/July 2016


of strapping young oarsmen row full speed towards each other while one chap on each boat tries to dislodge his counterpart into the water with a long jousting pole. It’s called water jousting and it’s been going on in the Languedoc-Roussillon town of Sète since the 1600s. Now, every year, it’s the focal point of the Saint-Louis Festival. Other festivities include street shows and bodegas. en.tourisme-sete.com/the-saint- louis-day-sete.html


Sedan Medieval Festival Festival Médiéval de Sedan Mid-May 2017


Centred around the magnificent Château Fort de Sedan, this festival celebrates all things medieval – sword fighting, banquets, fire-eating, wrestling, juggling, chivalry, blacksmiths


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