Events calendar Ile-De-France

Every year, the Château de Brie-Comte-Robert and its surroundings serve as a base camp for this renowned weekend-long medieval festival. Organizers and volunteers usually pull out all the stops, with a variety of programs and activities to suit all audiences: costume parades, improvised theater, juggling, crazy acrobats, chivalry tournaments (not to be missed!), concerts, horse dressage, equestrian tournaments, etc.

This communal theater offers shows for a wide audience and also has a bar.

This exhibition, which is aimed at anyone who can join an LGBT association, takes place every year in early April, usually in the Espace des Blanc-Coats (4 ^th) in the Marais. It is an opportunity to meet many gay and lesbian associations, including sports, student, professional, political, leisure, and others such as SOS Homophobia, Inter-LGBT…

A magical race, run by tens of thousands of people, some of whom come from very far away. And with good reason: the course is magical: start opposite the Trocadéro, then avenue Foch, a long loop through the Bois de Boulogne, and the quays of the Seine for a long (very long) climb to the Louvre, from where you cross the Seine to return to the Eiffel Tower. If the first ones arrive in less than an hour, the last ones can take three!

It's one of the best known and most popular independent music festivals - it must be said that it already existed in other territories, enjoying an excellent reputation. Pitchfork, whose 11th edition was held in November for three days of non-stop music, in several Parisian venues, from the Salle Pleyel to the Café de la Danse, including the Bataclan and even the Saint-Eustache church. Among the headliners of the last editions: Kam-BU, Denise Chaila, Gabriels, Yay Bey, Jeshi or Yard Act. You just have to enjoy it!

Welcome to Bo Ranch, a top-of-the-range equestrian center! Reining, a 100% Western dressage discipline, is practiced here. The site also hosts numerous international competitions, providing the perfect setting for festive and convivial events. The clubhouse opens its doors to high-quality catering, under a magnificent glass roof decorated with taste and modernity, in a slightly American style. À la carte: foie gras terrine, sweet and sour duck breast, sweet potato churros and glazed turnips, burgers, extra-bitter chocolate mousse...

Every year in June, the traditional "Passages Clownés" festival is one of the highlights of Bessancourt's cultural life. The festival features several free shows by up-and-coming and well-known companies, as well as a range of workshops that youngsters love, such as acrobatic training and face-painting. The whole event takes place in the ideal setting of the Complexe Sportif de Maubuisson.

What better way to celebrate the beautiful season, around the middle of June each year, than to take a walk in the splendid park of the city to watch the wild shows of the jazz bands? Every evening, big names from the New World, but also from Europe, come one after the other on the Jazz Festival stage to delight the audience with their voices or their golden fingers. Students from the jazz class of the city's Conservatory are also expected on stage. Whether you're a big fan or a neophyte, this festival is for all fans of the genre. In 2019, the festival will offer the opportunity to see, and above all to listen to Hugh Coltman, Nola French Connection, Yom and various tributes to Michel Petrucciani and Wes Montgomery.

Every year, Arami takes place in the magnificent setting of the Pierre Fresnay theater. Arami is the leading contemporary art fair in the Val d'Oise, enabling everyone to familiarize themselves with the latest trends in the field, and artists to exhibit their work. Performance art, painting, sculpture, digital art: there's no shortage of it, making this event a must-attend. Every year, big-name artists are the guests of honor: another reason to attend this entirely free event.

Every year, the end-of-year festivities are the setting for some magical moments. While the communes of the Val Parisis conurbation vie with each other in their decorations, there's another moment that's eagerly awaited by children: the Aquatic Christmas. Reindeers may not be known for their love of water, but Santa Claus will be out in force to meet children in the region's swimming pools, handing out treats, holding photo workshops and making budding swimmers' eyes go wide.

It is every year in March that this very appreciated festival is held at the AccorHotels Arena. Fans, enthusiasts, experts and novices meet there to discover shows, fights and animations. We don't know where to turn, and it's true that we don't stop here to watch, discuss sometimes, and marvel at so many techniques. Krav Maga, Kudo Daido Juku, Wushu, Taekwondo, MMA or Aikido are among the sports offered.

In spring 2024, Barbizon will host the third edition of the Fête des parcs et jardins. This annual event is entirely devoted to nature, plants and biodiversity. It brings together nurserymen-producers, landscape gardeners, associations, artists and craftspeople, as well as a bookshop. This year's festival will focus on trees in our society and their relationship to mankind. The program includes events, workshops for young and old, and conferences.

July 19 will be an unforgettable day for residents of the Val Parisis conurbation: the Olympic flame will pass through Cormeilles-en-Parisis, Sannois, Franconville, Ermont and Eaubonne. You'll have the chance to watch the mythical flame pass through various locations, before heading for the Enghien racecourse. A unique moment that will go down in local history!

Every month, on a Thursday evening, the inhabitants of the Sannois Agglomeration get together for an event dedicated to jazz. The event, called "Je dis Jazz", is divided into two parts. The first part features a concert, followed by a jam session. The event, which attracts an ever-growing audience, takes place within the walls of the Centre Cyrano de Bergerac. You'll also have the opportunity to eat on site. This is sure to be one of the region's finest musical moments.

This annual event, organized by the Val Parisis Agglomeration, gives you the chance to discover all the culinary and gastronomic wonders the region has to offer. Traditional products for sale, food and drink (on site or to take away) and even entertainment for children (including a traditional farm) are all on offer. Last year, the festival was held in La Frette-sur-Seine. This year, it's on to Sannois!

The ^30th edition of "La Palette de Printemps" took place, as it does every year, in February. This popular event usually has a global theme, with dozens of artists gathering at the Espace Saint-Exupéry. Painting and sculpture take center stage, with many new and established artists taking part. The whole event is entirely free of charge, and is open from one week to ten days: don't hesitate to drop in!

While this is a national event, it is particularly well represented in the Val Parisis conurbation. La Nuit des Conservatoires, which takes place not only in Montigny, is also held in Herblay-sur-Seine. The principle is simple: students from these institutions showcase their talents over the course of an evening, totally free of charge. Here, a variety of concerts take place, ranging from jazz and rock to classical music.

This national event has been held every year on the last Friday in January for the past dozen years, showcasing the local talent that learns and practices at conservatories across France. In Montigny-lès-Cormeilles, there's no shortage of students, and several concerts take place throughout the evening. The event, which is entirely free of charge, is an opportunity to appreciate the quality of local learning.

For decades, La Frette-sur-Seine was one of the main Parisian sites dedicated to Impressionism. Between the 1840s and the first half of the ^19th century, illustrious names such as Daubigny and Pissarro painted the village and the Seine. It's in these unchanging surroundings that a painters' day is held every year in April: the artists are numerous, so you can talk to the painters, as well as discover different creators.

The principle is simple: for one day, local artists gather in Beauchamp to set up their easels and paint the town's natural wonders. In the city's various parks, pretty squares and the Bois Barrachin, they'll be in full creative mode, but that doesn't mean there won't be plenty of opportunity for exchange! At the same time, various associations showcasing their ecological approaches will be setting up stands in the heart of the town.

An annual event organized by the Paniers de Beauchamp association, which promotes quality food through a variety of initiatives, this organic wine fair is a must for wine lovers. Held in the Salle Anatole France on a Saturday in March, it brings together a dozen duly certified organic winemakers from all over France to showcase their products. This annual show, whose 2023 edition was the ^8th of its kind, has become a must for many.

It's one of the major sporting events in the Val Parisis conurbation. Unique in its route and organization, the Trail des Châtaignes takes place on the Buttes du Parisis, with several routes passing through the unique heritage of the Fort de Cormeilles, all in a forest and natural environment. In 2023, several distances were proposed, from 11 to 48 kilometers, including a duo race if you wish to run with your dog, as well as a night-time proposition. Very well organized, the trail is a well-deserved success.

It's a rendez-vous for heritage lovers: the dedicated days, held simultaneously in several European countries, bring together hundreds of thousands of lovers of the beautiful every year, over a weekend in September. Every year, many of the Val Parisis conurbation's heritage sites are open to the public free of charge for a weekend. Original events usually accompany the visits. Registration recommended!

It's a ritual event for athletes from Saint-Leu and beyond, and the 20th edition will take place in 2025. La course des coteaux is a multi-faceted event. In fact, there are no fewer than 4 courses on offer. Adults can choose between two distances: 5 and 10 kilometers. For children, a 1-kilometre "d'éveil" race, and a 2.2-kilometre "benjamins" and "minimes" race see hundreds of youngsters take to the track in full stride! Be warned, the gradient can be surprisingly steep!

For many years now, over half a million people have marched in the streets and squares every year during the Marche des Fiertés: lesbians, gays, bi and trans people, as well as straight people who campaign for respect for differences, all in a festive atmosphere. This unique event mobilizes large numbers of people, not to defend rights or challenge policies, but first and foremost to propose a vision of society based on equality and respect.

Château du xixe century at 22 ª km from Paris, enchanting place, theater décor where you can gather up to 200 letters in dinner or cocktail. The reception rooms with traditional architecture are dressed in marble chimneys, parquet floors, moldings… The castle offers a beautiful terrace and a four hectare park that will lend very well to outdoor cocktails. A rest room is available for children. Caterer on site: Joubin Caterer, quoted by the Gault & Millau. It's an unforgettable welcome.

Critical mass

Also organized by the bicycle rally, these cycling events began in San Francisco in 1992 before spreading around the world. They aim to promote cycling and active modalities and denounce the place and nuisance caused by cars in our society.

http://velorution.org/paris/

It's an annual event that many artists, whether amateur, established or simply curious, look forward to. The Salon des Beaux-Arts de Cormeilles is one of the town's highlights of the year. Over a two-week period, more than 100 artists are usually present, with two guests of honor (painter Yoran Lucas and sculptor Guy Warin in 2023) and numerous conferences, not to mention the many exhibitions of works.

Every year, Provins brings back to life the Champagne Fairs of the ^12th and ^13th centuries, France's largest medieval festival. Share the moment with family and friends, discovering shows and fun activities. On the program: troubadours, acrobats and entertainers, games, jousts, music, dances and legends, as well as craftsmen demonstrating their skills in pottery, illumination and blacksmithing. Days that always leave unforgettable memories!

For the festive season, the town of Meaux is decked out in its finest finery from the beginning of December with "Meaux et Merveille". Young and old alike can enjoy a wide range of activities: magical illuminations in the Jardin Bossuet, a winter village offering a variety of fun activities, appearances by Santa Claus, a grand parade with imaginary creatures and floats... not forgetting the funfair and the Christmas market with its delicatessen stalls. Three weeks of festivities not to be missed to close the year in style.

Every January, Melun hosts the Salon du Livre et des Vieux Papiers at L'Escale. The event brings together some forty booksellers, some of whom come from as far afield as France and Belgium. It's an opportunity to unearth a few treasures among antiquarian books, comic strips, works of art, posters, old newspapers, postcards... Along the way, you may be able to take part in a workshop or meet an author and have a book signed!

As spring gets into full swing, this annual event invites gardeners and plant lovers to gather in the Parc Cadet de Vaux. Organized by the neighborhood council, these Francofloralies invite you to come and spend a day buying the plants, flowers and trees you need, but that's not all. Workshops to raise awareness of waste sorting, children's activities, flower-making classes and the presence of artists are also planned, and you'll have the chance to eat on site.

Every year in November, Provins honors its specialty, the niflette, a pastry whose puff pastry covers a soft, unctuous cream subtly flavored with orange blossom. A real delight! The people of Provence will tell you that the origins of this gourmet sin date back to the Middle Ages. In those days, it was given to orphans on All Saints' Day, a gesture accompanied by a " Ne flete! ("Don't cry!"), hence the name niflette. Today, the tradition lives on in a convivial atmosphere organized around events, workshops and a gourmet market.

Every year, the terroir of the Paris region is in the spotlight for a weekend: producers and artisans come to Franconville to meet you at the Espace Saint-Exupéry. You'll discover wines, charcuterie, sweet and savoury preparations and a thousand and one delicacies from almost every region of France, as well as from other countries. You can also take advantage of the on-site catering and tasting facilities. A great event, friendly and on a human scale.

Launched in 1983, the event is one of the best-known in the area. Wishing to pay tribute to the town's wine-growing past, the town council organizes a harvest festival in the purest tradition of the genre. And to say that the program is particularly dense would be an understatement. Traditionally, the event kicks off with a demonstration of the pressing of grapes from local vineyards, followed by a parade of dozens of floats, prepared by associations and municipal services (and built over several weeks in the run-up to D-day), through the streets (the starting point is usually the Conservatoire parking lot at 47 route de Franconville). Thousands of people flock to the event, which also features many other activities. These include wine tasting (we remind you that Ermont produces - albeit in small quantities - a wine called "Le Clos Jouan") and fruit pressing, as well as a fireworks display usually fired from the roof of the town hall, to round off a day dedicated to wine, festivities and conviviality. A word of advice: come early enough to find a parking space, and above all to get the best seats to watch the parade! You've heard of the fête des vendanges in Montmartre? If so, Ermont's is sure to please! The 2024 edition will be held on September 28: save the date!

This new appointment in the city is presented as a day of ecological and citizen initiatives. The aim is to raise awareness among residents (and, more broadly, all those who wish to get involved) of the ecological and social issues of our time. In concrete terms, you'll discover how to adopt more sustainable practices in your daily life, and have the opportunity to meet with various players. Children are also catered for, with a range of activities on offer.

March 2024 saw the ^18th edition of this not-to-be-missed event in the cultural life of Cormeilles-en-Parisis. It's an understatement to say that children (and not only children!) look forward to this event every year, which not only features screenings at the Cormier cinema, but also a host of other activities. Youngsters can discover the different techniques involved in filmmaking, as well as have their faces painted, learn about augmented reality coloring and dubbing. The festival is an ongoing success, and is constantly being renewed.