Fall events in Eastern France

The Puppet Festival, Charleville- Mézières

The region of Eastern France stretches from the outer reaches of Paris to the borders with southern Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany and takes in the Alsace, Ardennes, Champagne, Lorraine and the Vosges Massif. Annual fall and special events in the region include-

600 years of the Treaty of Troyes, 1420
The Treaty of Troyes between England and France was signed Charles VI (of France), Henry V (of England) and Philippe Duke of Burgundy in the cathedral city of Troyes on 21 May 1420. The Treaty was effectively confirmed by the marriage of Henry V and Catherine of France in the church of Saint- Jean-au-Marché. Over 180 items will be on show in the Cathedral with works of art, manuscripts, military objects and documents lent from galleries and museums. https://en.troyeslachampagne.com/

The Puppet Festival, Charleville- Mézières 17 to 26 September 2021
Every two years, the Ardennes city of Charleville-Me zie res stages one of the biggest puppet festivals in the world, showcasing everything to do with marionettes. The last Puppet Festival entertained 100,000 people, 100 companies, 29 countries, 15 000 spectators. The Puppet Festival Countdown event takes place 23 to 27 September 2020 www.festival-marionnette.com/en

The 47th annual Nancy Jazz Pulsations sees concerts throughout Nancy and throughout the Lorraine area. www.nancyjazzpulsations.com 

Beasts and Witches in the Moselle 17 October to 1 November 2020 

Otherwise known as the ‘Night of the Smiling Beetroots’, this festival began in 2018 in Rommelbootzennaat, and is a traditional one in the Moselle always around All Saints Day. More than sixty different places in the ‘department’ offer scary experiences for adults and children alike. 

Fête de la Grue et de la Migration du Lac du Der 17 to 25 October 2020 

The 13th staging of this festival bird watchers and photographers to see the migration of hundreds of cranes from this very important site for their winter migration to warmer climes. This whole area is extremely important for bird migrations. www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk/what-do/agenda/fete-de-la-grue-et-de-la-migration-949919 

Animal and Nature Photo International Festival in Montier-en-Der 19 to 22 November 2020 

Every year in November, Montier becomes the ‘capital of animal photography, of nature and of the protection of the environment’.  Normally, the festival of photography will welcome around 44,000 visitors to view 100 original exhibits and meet professional and amateur photographers and nature lovers. There are panel discussions, conferences, debates and round tables. www.photo-montier.org/en 

Les Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas, Nancy 20 November 2020 to 3 January 2021 

The actual ‘Week-end de Saint- Nicolas’ in Nancy is 5 an 6 December 2020 but the annual festival extends over a longer period. www.saint-nicolas.nancy.fr 

Metz Christmas Markets 23 November 2020 to 3 January 2021 

This is the second largest annual Christmas market in France and is staged in five different places in the city, which is the capital of the Moselle. www.tourism-lorraine.com/inspiration/christmas-in-metz-our-5-favourites 

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazineblogspot.com.au
Websites: www.visit.alsace/en, www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk, www.tourism-lorraine.com and www.massif-des-vosges.com/en