WINTER 2022/23 THE GUIDE


short, and visitors can wander in and out mid-concert. They are also encouraged to meet the musicians and composers involved. This winter’s festival, the theme of which is ‘Ode to Nighttime’, runs from February 1 to 5 at venues around the city. www.follejournee.fr


Marvel at the dog sledding at La Grande Odyssée in Haute-Savoie, Savoie and Isère


project their dazzling creations on the city’s most famous buildings. The French are very much world leaders in this particular art form. This year’s festival takes place from December 8 to 11. www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr


La Grande Odyssée This is one of the longest and most challenging dog sled races in the world, featuring 11 stages across more than 350km of Haute-Savoie, Savoie and Isère. Thousands gather to watch the mushers and their teams of dogs, and the towns and villages along the route celebrate with fireworks, exhibitions, igloo- building, camp fires and huge tartiflettes. This winter’s race takes place from January 7 to 19, starting in Megève and finishing in Villard-de-Lans. www.grandeodyssee.com


Angoulême comic book festival


Around a quarter of a million people descend on the Charente city of Angoulême every January for the annual comic book festival – Le Festival International de la Bande Dessinée, or FIBD. At more than 20 different sites across town there are exhibitions, lectures, workshops, films, enormous book markets and author signings. Whether you’re a fan of Franco-


Belgian comics (think Tintin, Astérix, Lucky Luke and the Smurfs), American super-heroes, Japanese manga or the more high-brow graphic novels, there will be something here to get you excited. The 2023 festival runs from January 26 to 29. www.bdangouleme.com


Marseille Foire aux Santons It’s a Provençal winter tradition: every year at Christmas time, local artisans create hand- painted terracotta figurines called santons which represent characters from traditional Provençal village life. It’s a custom that dates back to the French Revolution when churches were closed and nativity scenes prohibited. Craftsmen circumvented the ban by making their own figurines. Nowadays, one of the biggest santon fairs is held in Marseille. Called the Foire aux Santons de Marseille, the 2022 edition (the 220th in all) takes place on the Quai du Port from November 19 to December 31. www.foire-aux-santons-de- marseille.fr


Montreux Comedy Goes Skiing


Laughing… that’s one way to keep warm in the snow. For the first time ever, the Montreux Comedy Festival is coming to the ski resort of Les Gets, in the


Alps. From January 14 to 21, top comedians from the French and British stand-up scene will be on stage, entertaining audiences after a day on the slopes. The francophone shows take place on January 17 and 18, while the Anglophone ones are on January 19 and 20 – all in the Salle de la Colombière. Gérémy Crédeville and Tom Houghton headline. www.lesgets.com/en/montreux- comedy-goes-skiing


Nantes classical music festival This year sees the 24th edition of Nantes’ classical music festival, La Folle Journée. One of the festival’s core aims is to banish the elitist image of classical music. For that reason, ticket prices are low, performances are


WINTER BREAKS The Alps, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central… France boasts some of the best winter sports resorts in all of Europe. Aside from skiing, snowboarding, and the vibrant après-ski scene, there are plenty of new experiences to choose from this winter, from ski-joering and fatbike riding to astronomy and French language lessons.


Travelski Express What’s the easiest way to get to the French Alps? From mid- December until mid-April, Travelski Express offers direct links on the Eurostar from London to ten ski resorts: Val Thorens, Courchevel, La Rosière, Les Arcs, Val d’Isère, La Plagne, Les Menuires, Tignes, Méribel and Brides-les-Bains. The outbound train now runs during the day, so you get great views as you travel. On arrival at Moûtiers or Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the price-inclusive transfers will whisk you as close to the accommodation as is permitted. www.uk.travelski.comtravelski- express


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Don’t miss the enchanting Foire aux Santons in Marseille Oct/Nov 2022 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 141


IMAGES © OTCM, BENOIT DIACRE


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