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Home , Anglure, Arsonval, Barse, Bayel, Dormans, Essoyes

A selection of Events and Festivals in

2019 Habits de Lumières 2018 - Alexandre Couvreux - OT Epernay ‘Pays de Champagne’ de Champagne’ ‘Pays Epernay - OT Couvreux Alexandre - 2018 Habits de Lumières

Press Contacts: Magellan PR (UK press) [email protected] Sarah Flook - Regional Tourism Agency [email protected] 1 LA CHAMPAGNE

LONDRES DOUVRES CALAIS LAON LAON

N A

4 2 4 6 RETHEL AISNE CHARLEVILLE-MÉZIÈRES

4 ARDENNES A 3 SOISSONS

0 38 7 D

Fismes 8 9

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Gueux D N 31 METZ LUXEMBOURG Gare TGV A D 31 7 4 7 Champagne- Vienne-le-Château D N 3 A 4 Ardenne

Parc naturel régional N Ste-Ménehould 4 de la Montagne de Reims 4 STRASBOURG D 31 A 4 A 4 Dizy TGV Est Européen

N 3 Aÿ 6

2 N 3 PARIS Château-Thierry Vinay Epernay A L'Epine Châlons-en-Champagne MEUSE Montmort-Lucy 51 Montmirail Etoges

N Bergères-les-Vertus 4 4 5 Aéroport Saint-Amand-sur-Fion Mondement D Paris- D 934 Fère-Champenoise N 4 Vitry-le-François 4 N 35 N N 4 Sézanne Ma rn St-Dizier ET e N 4 3 1 95 NANCY 40 D Lac du Der MARNE 6 D 7

7 Eclaron A 2 Provins Villenauxe-la-Grande N D 619 Gi aumont Nangis Arcis-sur N 6 N 19 Montier-en-Der Nogent-sur-Seine Aube 7 403

D Romilly- Méry-sur 2

1 sur-Seine Seine Haute-

4 1 Voué Joinville

D D 95 0 La Motte-Tilly S D 40 ei Lacs de Aube n Marne e Rouilly- la Forêt NANCY Sacey Piney d'Orient Brienne-le-Château 52 STRASBOURG 10 Cirey-sur-Blaise Barberey-Saint-Sulpice Vignory Soulaines-Dhuys 1 4 Lusigny-sur N 7 Parc naturel régional A 3 e -Barse de la Forêt Marn 5 Colombey- A d'Orient Mesnil- N 19 les-Deux-Eglises e Andelot- Meus 0 Montiéramey Blancheville Bourmont N 6 Saint- Vendreuvre- Bar-sur- PARIS Père sur-Barse 4 Aube 7 Aix-en-Othe D Eaux-Puiseaux A 5 Chaumont Magnant Clairvaux Clefmont

77 Bar-sur-Seine N N 7 N 9 VOSGES 1 19 2 Nogent D 4 Maisons-les-Chaource Châteauvillain

Ervy-le-Chatel 5 6 A Bourbonne- Mussy-sur-Seine 5 D les-Bains Arc-en-Barrois Coi y Lacs du Pays de Langres Langres Auberive DIJON 1 AUXERRE YONNE 3 A Le Pailly Fayl-Billot N 19

CÔTE VESOUL D'OR 4 7

N HAUTE SAÔNE DIJON Canal LYON de la Marne GENEVE à la Saône MILAN e 1 / 1.540.000 N 0 25 50 km MUSIC FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS

SPRING JAZZ FESTIVAL Châlons-en-Champagne 12 - 14 April www.vitrinesdechalons.com During this weekend of Jazz, bars and restaurants around the town put on free jazz recitals for their customers. An outdoor stage is put up in the Place Foch in front of the town hall, for a free jazz concert for all.

Moissons Rock Festival JUVIGNY 29 May - 1 June www.moissonsrock.org This 3-day rock festival takes place on the football ground at Juvigny and mixes regional talent with bands of national and international acclaim.

SUMMER MUSICAL FESTIVAL - Flâneries musicales d’été REIMS 19 June - 11 July www.flaneriesreims.com More than 100 concerts offering a diverse programme ranging from classical to jazz, are organised over this period with up to 2 or 3 concerts a day. The venues vary from cultural heritage sites to cafés and parks. Many of the concerts are free of charge.

TROYES MUSIC FESTIVAL - Ville en Musiques TROYES 21 June - 11 August www.maisonduboulanger.com/evenements/ville-en-musiques.html Throughout the 8 weekends of this musical event, squares, churches, gardens and other public spaces in Troyes will be filled with music and dance and other performances. An enchanting way to enjoy the picturesque setting of medieval Troyes.

FESTIVAL OF MUSIC FROM HERE AND ELSEWHERE Festival d’Ici et d’ailleurs CHALONS EN CHAMPAGNE 26 - 28 July www.musique-ici-ailleurs.com This is a showcase event for world music today. Free concerts, taking place all over the town, aim at revealing the diversity of musical trends, showing the very latest sounds and discovering the great names of tomorrow. 3 MUSIC FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS

CULTURAL MUSIC PROGRAMME AUBERIVE 20 July - 24 August www.abbaye-auberive.com A series of 6 concerts are organised at the Abbey of Auberive (SW of Langres) on Saturdays over the high summer period. Starting at 6,30pm. 20 July: Violin and piano 27 July: Traditional Irish Music 3 August: Soprano and harp 10 August: Flamenco FEATHERED DOG ROCK FESTIVAL - Festival du Chien à Plumes 17 August: Hawaiian Swing Jazz Lac de VILLEGUSIEN 24 August: Music from Madagascar 2 - 4 August www.chienaplumes.fr This 3-day music festival features around 30 pop-rock, folk, Reggae and electronic music groups and takes place on the shores of Lake Vingeanne at the village of Villegusien-le-lac, 17 km south of Langres. A free campsite is available on the site, other campsites CHAMPAGNE NIGHTS - Les Nuits de Champagne are nearby. TROYES 21 - 26 October www.nuitsdechampagne.com Each year, this festival celebrates the songs and music of an invited composer and explores the influences and trends of the artist. The Festival opens with a grand rendition of the main verses of the composer’s chosen song, with both the audience and a 700-strong choir singing in unison. The closing concert is dedicated to the most representative songs of the artist’s repertoire, sung by a huge joint choir of up to 1000 members coming from the local region and all over . For the first time this year the musical events will come out of the churches, concert halls and theatres and into the streets of Troyes, onto the buses, into the bars and will encompass a diverse playlist with something for everyone. Reims Jazz Festival REIMS Beginning November www.djaz51.com This major gathering of jazz brings together the big names and young talents of the French and international jazz and improvisation music scene. The festival takes place over 10 days in November and venues include some of the key cultural sites in Reims, such as the Opera House, the Saint-Exupéry Cultural Centre and Domaine Pommery.

Elektik MUSIC Festival SAINT-DIZIER 17 - 24 November www.ville-saintdizier.fr For the first time this year the musical events will come out of the churches, concert halls and theatres and into the streets of Troyes, onto the buses, into the bars and will encompass a diverse playlist with something for everyone. 4 SHOWS AND STREET FESTIVALS

FESTIVAL OF CERAMICS AND FIRE ARTS - La Ronde des Feux CHAOURCE 8 & 9 June www.artitude10.fr This original festival showcases over 200 artists and young talent of all traditional skills and crafts connected to fire such as potters, blacksmiths and metal workers. Entertainment, sound and light shows and exhibitions all add to the magical atmosphere of this weekend.

JOAN OF ARC MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL - Les Fêtes Johanniques REIMS 1 & 2 June www.reims-tourisme.com In celebration of the heroic mission of the young Joan to bring the deposed dauphin to Reims to have him crowned Charles VII in 1429, this festival recreates the atmosphere of the 15th century. Visitors can stroll around the stalls of a medieval market and marvel, on the Sunday, at the Great Royal Parade as Joan of Arc and the future Charles VII set off from the St Remi basilica to the Cathedral, accompanied by over 800 figures in historical costumes.

FESTIVAL OF CIRCUS ARTS & STREET THEATRE - Festival Furies CHALONS EN CHAMPAGNE 2 & 3 June www.festival-furies.com This festival celebrating circus and street theatre is appropriately organised in the town that is home to the French National School of Circus Arts. Attracting both established acts and up and coming performers, the event aims to support contemporary creativity whilst discovering new talent. Performances take place under a marquee in the main park, in the Comete Theatre as well as in the National Circus Arts Centre itself. But there are also all manner of outdoor venues such as a garden, a town square, the corner of a road, a make-shift tent… all of these outdoors events are free.

Hallebardiers FESTIVAL LANGRES 15 - 17 August www.hallebardiers.com From Thursday to Saturday throughout August, the ‘Hallebardiers’ society put on a number of plays (usually 3 per evening) taking place simultaneous in different open air venues around the city of Langres. The spectators are given costume cloaks to wear and become part of the performance being drawn into the various plots. A fun and original way to discover the heritage of this beautiful fortified city.

5 SHOWS AND STREET FESTIVALS

FESTIVAL OF HUNTING AND NATURE CHATEAUVILLAIN 31 August - 1 September www.salon-chasse-nature.com Everything associated with hunting can be found at this festival which attracts 3,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors. There are exhibitions of hunting arms, gear, clothing saddling, vehicles etc and presentations of the latest developments in the hunting world. Visitors can enjoy demonstrations by hunting dogs and equestrian shows, and other animations include various shooting ranges, such as moving target and bow & arrow, and paintballing. Hunting gear and equipment is also on sale and the festival culminates in a grand firework display.

END OF YEAR CIRCUS SHOW CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE December www.cnac.fr A stunning circus arts show is put on by the students graduating from the National Circus School at Châlons. After a week of performances in the school’s home town, the show goes on tour all over the world. Tickets can be bought one month beforehand from the cnac web site.

EPERNAY CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL - Habits de Lumière EPERNAY 13 - 15 December www.habitsdelumiere.epernay.fr 3 days of festivities organised by the town of Epernay and the Champagne Houses with street performances, champagne bars, musical events, fireworks and illuminations all along the Avenue de Champagne. On Sunday morning, open air cooking demonstra- tions by Michelin starred chefs paired with different champagnes are offered round for free tastings and later in the day, a parade of more than 400 vintage cars brings the festival to a close.

6 GASTRONOMY

GOURMET FOOD AND CUISINE FESTIVAL - Le Festival du Bon et du Goût REIMS 29 - 31 March www.dubonetdugout.com Taking place at the large exhibition centre of Reims, the ‘Parc des Expositions’, this festival is a large gathering of wine growers, brewers and artisan producers of fine foods, table arts, cutlery and kitchen accessories. Over 120 exhibitors coming from all over France and beyond attract over 10,000 visitors. Top class chefs give cooking demonstrations over the weekend and explain their knowhow to the public. Ideal for lovers of gourmet food and haute cuisine. SPRING GOURMET FESTIVAL LES RICEYS 12 - 14 April www.les-riceys.fr/2-eme-printemps-gourmand/ In 2017, the village of Les Riceys, in the Côtes des Bar champagne vineyards, was awarded the label ‘Site remarquable du goût’ (remarkable site of good taste). This national label brings together villages, places and producers who are dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of France’s gastronomy. Producing champagne, red and rosé wines, Les Riceys is the only commune in France to have 3 AOP ‘Appellation d’Origine Protégée. To celebrate becoming part of the ‘Good Taste’ association, Les Riceys organised its first ‘Spring Gourmet Festival’ in 2018 with the aim of linking together good food, good wines, heritage and the countryside. The second edition of this gastronomic extravaganza will take place at the Château Saint-Louis. During the 3 days of the event, visitors can enjoy tasting products from a wide variety of TASTING PARTY «Fetes des degustations» local producers (50 in 2018) whilst strolling round this attractive CHAMPAGNE VOIRIN-JUMEL - stone village 30 & 31 May www.champagne-voirin-jumel.com Entry is free to this special tasting event which runs from 10am to 6pm over 2 days.10 to 15 local producers and caterers have stands selling salmon, oysters, duck, cheese and other delicacies (restaurant area available) and produce is also available for take- away sales including honey, jams and craft beer. For the purchase of a champagne flute (2 €), then yours to keep, the first glass of champagne is offered free of charge, with additional glasses costing just 5 € (or 25 € the bottle). Activities include a ride into the vineyard in a limousine and excursions in a 3-wheeled car. Free cellar tours are offered every hour. CHEESE FAIR AND LOCAL FLAVOURS - Germaine en Fête BAR-SUR-AUBE 8 - 10 June www.tourisme.barsuraube.org Entry is free to this local gastronomy fair, which takes place on the Hill of Sainte Germaine, a large field to the south of Bar-sur-Aube, next to a ‘fromagerie’. Organised by the ‘Association Projet Sainte- Germaine’, the fair attracts 40 producers of cheeses, wines, char- cuterie and other gourmet treats from all over France. Fireworks, music, walking trails, bread baked in a wood-fired oven and other events organised throughout the day, along with open air catering and a bar, make for a weekend of fun for all the family. 7 GASTRONOMY

CHAMPAGNE FESTIVAL - La Route du Champagne en Fête Côte des bar - ARCE VALLEY 27 & 28 July www.routeduchampagne.com The purchase of a champagne flute, complete with glass holder and road book (25€) at one of the participating villages gives you entry into all the participating champagne cellars that are open for this festival to taste the champagnes on offer. Pop-up eateries and bars, exhibitions and other entertainment all add to the joviality of the event. In 2019, the festival will take place in the Valley of the Arce. The 7 participating villages are: Eguilly- sous-Bois, Buxières-sur-Arce, Ville-sur-Arce, Merrey-sur-Arce, Bar- sur-Seine, & .

CHOUCROUTE FESTIVAL BRIENNE-LE-CHATEAU 21 & 22 September www.ot-brienne-le-chateau.com A celebration of the success of the local production of choucroute (pickled cabbage), this festive weekend attracts around 400 exhibitors and producers of choucroute and other specialities. The festival is packed with many other activities including a funfair, music, a grand procession, and of course the queen of the weekend, the famous local choucroute itself, cooked with champagne !

BUBBLES FESTIVAL BAR-SUR-AUBE 28 & 29 September www.cap-c.fr/bar-sur-aube-la-foire-aux-bulles One of the entry points to the Côte des Bar champagne vineyards, Bar-sur-Aube hosts an annual festival to celebrate the local champagne and other artisanal specialities, such as honey, saffron, jams, cheeses, craft beer and charcuterie. Around 100 stalls in the town centre, music, dance, clowns, a cooking competition and other activities attract around 9,000 visitors over the weekend. Entry to the festival is free of charge. Champagne tastings are charged at 10€, which includes the champagne flute and 3 tastings, with additional tastings at 3€.

8 GASTRONOMY

CHOCOLATE FAIR REIMS 11 - 13 October http://salonchocolat-reims.fr/ The 4th edition of this gourmet event, which takes place in the Reims Exhibition Centre (Parc des Expositions), includes a fashion show of chocolate dresses, sculptures of chocolate and many other demonstrations and tastings. Over 60 exhibitors offer an astonishing range of chocolate and other gastronomic delights - a true paradise for chocolate lovers!

Champagne & YOU CHATEAU-THIERRY 19 & 20 October www.champagne-et-vous.fr This annual, cultural wine event takes place on the site of the medieval castle of Château-Thierry. Around 30 local champagne producers will be offering tastings and explanations of their champagnes, and visitors can also participate in culinary and tasting workshops. Demonstrations will take place throughout the day of various champagne producing techniques such as pruning, grafting rootstock, blind tasting, disgorging and bottling. Other activities and entertainment include vineyard tours in a vintage car and exhibitions by local producers of gourmet specialities (safran, foie gras etc). Visitors can also enjoy a panoramic champagne bar.

SALON DE LA GASTRONOMIE TROYES 8 - 11 November http://www.troyeschampagneexpo.com/agenda/les-salons This gourmet fair is a feast for the taste buds. During the 4 days of the show, the exhibition hall in the centre of Troyes, ‘Le Cube - Troyes Champagne Expo’, is transformed into a temple of gastronomy offering visitors a tour of the with wines and artisan produce. Over 130 exhibitors present delicacies such as charcuterie, cheeses, seafood, foie gras, snails, patisseries, chocolates, and also wines & spirits, tableware and decoration.

9 EXHIBITIONS AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS

EXHIBITION OF PREHISTORIC JEWELS TROYES 2 April – 29 September http://arke.aube.fr A large number of jewels and other objects from the Neolithic to Iron Age periods are on display in the Hotel Dieu-le-Comte in Troyes. Found in the Aube department, some exhibits date as far back as 5,300 years! In particular there are 8 rare pieces from the tomb of the ‘Prince of Lavau’ (see text box) that have never been on display before. The Prince of Lavau In 2015, near the small village of Lavau on the outskirts of Troyes, archaeologists discovered a stunning Celtic tomb fil- led with Greek and Etruscan riches and works of art from the 5th century BC. Luxurious gold and silver jewellery still adorned the skeletal remains that lay in the centre of the tumulus. The occupant had clearly been someone very im- portant and was named the ‘Prince of Lavau’. 130 feet in diameter, this is one of the largest tombs from the end of the Iron Age, and the burial arrangement and the accompa- nying items are intriguing. The true identity of the occupant of the tomb remains a mystery.

CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION AUBERIVE June - September http://abbaye-auberive.com Each summer, the stunning Cistercian Abbey of Auberive near Langres is the setting for a contemporary art exhibition organised by the Volot family, art collectors and private owners of the abbey.

HISTORY OF THE CINEMA FROM 1895 to 1980 – Exhibition ESSOYES 6 July- 30 September https://renoir-essoyes.fr 2019 is a year of commemorations for many members of Pierre- Auguste Renoir’s family and a number of events and activities are being developed at the village of Essoyes, where the family lived during the summers, around the theme of ‘The Renoirs, a family of Artists’. These include a special exhibition at the Renoir Cultural Centre celebrating the acting and film careers of Pierre and Jean Renoir. Exhibits include rare cinematic material, archived footage taken during filming and some of the movie posters of Jean Renoir.

10 EXHIBITIONS AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS

INTERNATIONAL CINEMA FESTIVAL «WAR ON SCREEN» CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE & SUIPPES 1 - 6 October www.waronscreen.com This festival is unique as it is dedicated to films treating the vast theme of war and conflict. Located close to the front line of the First World War, visitors to the festival can also visit the many WW1 sites in the area (museums, monuments, cemeteries, steles etc).

international photo FESTIVAL OF WILDLIFE AND NATURE MONTIER EN DER 14 - 17 November www.festiphoto-montier.org Inspired by the BBC Wildlife Magazine photo exhibition, the Photo Festival at Montier-en-Der was launched in 1996 and today attracts around 44,000 visitors. The theme of the festival is ‘wildlife and nature’ and is timed to coincide with the migration of birds from Scandinavia to Spain, stopping off en-route at the nearby Lac de Der. The photo festival has developed international acclaim and attracts top names in nature photography from all over the world.

11 MOTORING EVENTS

MONTE CARlo HISTORICAL CAR RALLYE REIMS 31 January & 1 February http://acm.mc/en/rallye-monte-carlo-historique

This event recreates the atmosphere of the Monte-Carlo rallies of the 60s and 70s. Competitors choose their starting town: Reims, Glasgow, Barcelona, Lisbon, Valence, Oslo, Bad Hamburg or Monte- Carlo. All routes then converge at Valence for a 2-night stop-over before continuing together to Monaco. Cars entering the rally must be similar in model to the cars that participated in the Monte- Carlo rallies between 1955 and 1980. The 111 teams departing from Reims will set off at 7pm on the 31st January. Lovers of historical cars will be able to inspect them at close quarters and meet the drivers during the obligatory technical controls session which takes place the day before at the Reims Exhibition Centre

48 HOURS – EUROPEAN VINTAGE CAR RALLY TROYES 7 - 9 September www.48heures.com/en/

3 days of prestige and exception with 400 vintage cars coming from all over Europe. Participants can enjoy drives through the French countryside around Troyes. Sightseeing tours are organised as well as a gala dinner & dance, a vintage car parade and more. Since its first edition in 1986, the event has brought together vintage car and motorcycle lovers coming from all over Europe. Participants for 2018 can register via the form on the 48 Hours webs site (closing date, July 15th).

12 SPORTING EVENTS

THE HERITAGE MARATHON OF TROYES TROYES 8 June www.tourisme-troyes.com/5eme-marathon-patrimoine-de-troyes-champagne-metropole Over 42 km of cultural pleasure! The aim of the marathon is that the sites visited en route is the most important, not the time taken to complete the marathon! With frequent stops along the way, guided tours, maybe a little quicker than is usual, allow participants to discover around 15 places and buildings that are perhaps less well-known. Music, theatre, workshops, performances, concerts, fireworks, illuminations and much more adds to the enjoyment of the event. NEW this year is the half marathon option - either in the morning or the afternoon (limited to 40 participations per half marathon). Those wishing to participate should enrol via the registration form which can be downloaded from the marathon’s website above.

LADIES FOOTBALL WORLD CUP REIMS 8 June – 24 June www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/organisation/ticketing/ Reims will host 6 of the matches of the Ladies Football World Cup in June 2019, which will include games by at least 9 of the world’s teams, including the current world champions, the United States, and current European champions, Holland. The matches scheduled are: 8 June, 9pm: Norway V Nigeria 11 June, 3pm: United States V Thailand 14 June, 6pm: Jamaica V Italy 17 June, 9pm: Republic of Korea V Norway 20 June, 6pm: Holland V Canada 24 June, 6pm: 1/8 finals Tickets can be ordered via the FIFA web site above.

TOUR DE FRANCE REIMS AND EPERNAY 8 & 9 June www.letour.fr/en/ The Tour de France 2019 starts in Brussels on Saturday 6 July, and the first 2 legs of the tour are centred in and around the capital of Belgium. The tour then leaves Belgium at Binche for the 3rd leg, and crosses into France for the 214 km run to Epernay, arriving in the afternoon of Monday 8 July. The 4th leg starts at Reims on Tuesday 9 July for the 215 km run to Nancy.

13 FAIRS AND MARKETS

THE CHALONS FAIR CHALONS EN CHAMPAGNE 30 August - 9 September www.foiredechalons.com - www.lecapitole-en-champagne.fr This agricultural fair is the second biggest in France after that of Paris, attracting over 250,000 visitors in 2014. The 750 exhibitors range from the farming world to home furnishings, food and drink, machinery, arts and crafts, tourism, and many more areas. Each day, there is a programme of talks, seminars, presentations, demonstrations, competitions, tastings and other animations and a free open-air rock-pop concert each evening features both well known and up-and-coming French musicians. The fair takes place in Châlon’s exhibition centre, ‘le Capitole’.

REIMS CHRISTMAS MARKET REIMS December www.reims-tourisme.com/Noel-a-Reims2 The Cathedral of Reims makes a magnificent back-drop for this renowned Christmas Market with over 135 chalets offering a range of gourmet products, arts and crafts, creative gift suggestions, crepes, vin chaud and other traditional snacks. After dark, the illuminations of the chalets and of the town itself create a magical atmosphere.

Sales in France

The winter and summer sales in France last for 6 weeks, and the dates are set by the French government: • Summer 2019 : Wednesday 26 June to Tuesday 6 August • Winter 2020 : Wednesday 9 January to Tuesday 19 February

14 NOTES

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15 Grand Est Regional Tourisme Agency 5, Rue de Jéricho - BP 50319 - 51013 Châlons-en-Champagne cedex - France T 00 33 (0)3 26 21 85 80 - F 00 33 (0)3 26 21 85 90 www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com