Events calendar Somme

Every year there is an influx at the Hippodrome d'Amiens, often renamed "le Petit Vincennes de Picardie"! Classified as a Regional Pole, the Hippodrome can therefore welcome races of national and international scale. This is the case of the Grand Prix National du Trot d'Amiens Métropole. This event enjoys a great popular success, which is particularly popular among the headliners. Every year, spectators see the big names in the field while benefiting from a structure where it is possible to eat and spend an exceptional day.

The town is reconnecting with its past and becomes once again the medieval city from which William the Conqueror set out to conquer the throne of England. During two days, discover the daily life of a medieval village of the Norman period through a camp, and witness the work of leather, bone, horn, wood but also metals, foundry, blacksmithing, weaving or cooking. For its 40th edition, don't miss the acrobats, fire-eaters and fire jugglers and, above all, the parade with its period costumes.

The Jules Verne has become the flagship event for all joggers (Sunday or more experienced) and enjoys great popularity. The race is open and accessible to all and offers courses in the city centre. The atmosphere is always guaranteed. The roads are blocked for the occasion and the town fills up with running enthusiasts for a day. A mixed 5 km or 10 km men and women are waiting for you. These last distances are qualifying for the French championships, so you will be able to compete with very good athletes. Even children can try their hand at a 1 km course with "La Petite Jules Verne". Everyone has his own challenge!

Saint-Valery-sur-Somme has a rich history as a fishing port, so it is only natural that it celebrates the sea every summer. On the occasion of this festival, the very typical fishermen's quarter (the Courtgain) is transformed to pay homage to the missing sailors. The facades of the houses are then covered with 2,000 m of nets and multicoloured flowers. All kinds of events (exhibitions, concerts, procession and sheafing at sea, etc.) also await visitors. A local festival not to be missed!

This festival where theatre is in the spotlight is already more than 10 years old, proof of a real craze for culture in this charming little town on the Bay of the Somme. From the classics (Shakespeare, Guy de Maupassant...) to one-man shows and music scenes, the performances are diverse: something to delight all fans! In the streets, actors and musicians come to play as close as possible to the spectators. Theatre workshops, led by professional actors, are also offered to adults a few days before the festival.

A must for aficionados of upside-down or cervical dislocations, the Midsummer's Day fair is a delight for young and old alike. There's something for everyone: those who prefer rifle shooting or slot machines, or the big gourmands, fans of cotton candy, churros and other delicious love apples that stick to your fingers and satisfy sweet taste buds. Apart from its 180 attractions and rides that attract no less than 400,000 visitors every year, did you know that this fair is also the oldest in France? Indeed, the first fair would have taken place in the Middle Ages.

The fist ball is THE traditional Picardy sport. Practiced for more than 200 years in the region, this palm game pits two teams of 6 players against each other (5 for indoor practice). The rules will be explained to you during the game, sometimes even in picard! The goal is to land the ball (weighing a mere 500 g) in the opponent's camp, or better yet, to bounce it over the baseline. It's a mixture of a win-win game, with a fake volleyball air and a score close to tennis! You don't understand everything immediately... but it's a typical sport to discover, played in the Somme department by 800 licensees all the same!