WINTER 2024/25 THE GUIDE
canut, quenelles (of course), brochettes of foie gras, plus plenty of gorgeous desserts. Then there’s the city’s superb indoor market, Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, named after the city’s most famous culinary son. And fi nally there are the top-level chef schools. Visit during the winter and there will be far fewer tourists so you might even get the pick of the best restaurants.
www.visiterlyon.com
Salon du Chocolat Chocoholics will love the Salon du Chocolat at Lyon’s Halle Tony Garnier, from February 14 to 16. Meet chocolatiers, pastry chefs, cacao producers and watch demos, competitions, activities and the famous fashion show where couture is made from – yes, you guessed it – chocolate. And of course, there are plenty of delicious free chocolate tastings, too.
lyon.salon-du-chocolat.com
The Salon du Chocolat never disappoints
indulge in all those festive treats. And where better place for that than France?
Habits de Lumière There’s no better way to wet your whistle in advance of Christmas than with a champagne festival. From December 13 to 15, the city of Épernay hosts Les Habits de Lumière, with light shows, concerts, fi reworks, a vintage car parade, food tastings and a pâtisserie competition – all lubricated by plenty of champagne bars and supported by the local champagne houses.
habitsdelumiere.epernay.fr
Dinner at the Eiffel Tower They call Paris the City of Light. In midwinter, with the sun setting early, you’ll see it in all its illuminated glory, especially if you book a table at Le Jules Verne restaurant
on the second fl oor of the Eiffel Tower, 125m above ground. Is this the best dinner view in Paris? In France even? The food isn’t too shabby either, thanks to the triple Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Anton. The tasting menu costs €290 for fi ve courses or €320 for seven.
www.restaurants-toureiffel.com
Lyon foodie break
Dubbed the world capital of gastronomy by food critic Curnonsky in the 1930s, Lyon’s gourmet reputation remains intact today. So what exactly is all the fuss about? Well, fi rst, there are more than 1,500 places to eat, including the famous bouchons – family-owned bistros offering cheap, often simple, but mind-blowingly delicious Lyonnais food, such as coq au vin, saucisse de Lyon, sabodet, cervelle de
Sarlat Truffl e Festival If you’re looking for a foodie break in the New Year, then head for the Fête de la Truffe à Sarlat, in the picturesque Dordogne town of the same name. Created by the Black Périgord Truffl e Producers’ Group, it includes workshops on how to identify truffl es, cooking and truffl e-hunting demonstrations, market stalls galore and, of course, the chance to taste these delicious tubers. The 2025
event will take place on January 18 and 19.
www.sarlat-tourisme.com
FESTIVALS
Although most French festivals take place during the summer months, there are plenty of events designed to brighten up the winter too. With music, dance, light shows, fi lms and comic books, there’s plenty to suit all ages and all tastes.
Les Trans
Since the 1970s, Les Trans (or Les Rencontres Trans Musicales, to use its full name) music festival has taken place every December in the Breton city of Rennes. Staged at different venues across the city, it is highly respected within the music industry thanks to its uncanny ability to spot future talent. Artists and bands that have cut their teeth here include Nirvana, Björk, Lenny Kravitz, Daft Punk, Massive Attack and Portishead. This year’s dates are December 4 to 8.
www.lestrans.com
Africolor
France has arguably done more than any other nation to bring the music of Africa to European ears. One of the best showcases you’ll see this side of the Sahara is the Africolor festival which stages dozens of concerts in Paris and the surrounding suburbs in the run-up to Christmas. There are also fi lm screenings, exhibitions and poetry
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Moh! Kouyaté performing at Africolor Dec/Jan 2025 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 123
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