County Shows in Normandie?

[Normandie]

Hello all

We've just been to the Middx County Show today which was a good day out - owls/birds of prey/fly ball/classic cars etc etc and was just wondering if there's anything like that (more that a brocante) in 'our' area 50 around 2/3rd August?

I've been to the fair at Vire in Sept which is great - is there something like that in the summer?  Otherwise may look to see if there any any Fetes de la Mer on the coast.

Thanks in advance for any replies ...

 

[chrisb]

Also in September is the fair at Lessay which has a heavy emphasis on horses. It's also notable for its "Avenue des rotisiers" - load os different stalls cooking lamb over wood fires - absolutely delicious!

Haven't come across any held at the same time as the English early Summer ones.

One warning about Lessay fair - it's very popular. It took us nearly 2 hours to drive there from St Lo!

[powerdesal]

I think   Saint Aubin des Bois, between Villiedieu les Poeles and Vire may be the venue for quite a large fete each year. I have only been once a few years ago but it did strike me as quite big and enjoyable. Cant remember just what month though.

[Dick Smith]

We always miss it, so it must be either July or September.

That isn't a lot of use, is it?

Edit - I tell a lie - it is August according to Wikipedia. In which case it must be late on, because we usually come back around the 26th.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Aubin-des-Bois,_Calvados

[Normandie]

Thank you for your replies.

We're missing our local show this year but that's ok we've seen that before but I really want to see the St Lo Haras as they allow visitors on a Thursday afternoon during the summer.  Anyone been there to see the horses?

One day I'll take a year out and live chez nous and get to see everything!  It's a bit frustrating but at least there's always something to look forward to 'next time' like being over for the 4th of July one year ...

[Catalpa]

I've no idea what the Normal 0 denotes above - I can't see it on my screen and therefore can't remove it. [8-)]

Yes,

I’ve been to the Haras Thursday afternoon display and it’s worth going even if

you’re not very interested in horses because there are some beauties – and the

carriage parade is worth seeing. You can also go around the stables. It’s only

a few euros per person (or was). In August, at the equestrian centre (towards the Maison d'Agriculture in St-Lo) there are sometimes Horseball matches. Definitely worth going to. Not sure there are any summer matches in Manche this year but worth checking. There are always matches in February.

 

The French country / county shows in late summer / autumn

don’t have the breadth of displays or represent the interests that you find at

an English show. The food (as someone said) is much better. Look for a smokey heat

haze in the sky and head for the open barbecues where lambs, sausages etc are

being roasted. The lamb is excellent – buy your bread, lamb, frites and usually

even desserts (fruit tarts normally) if you want - from the "food alley". Then go into one of the

adjacent tents which are set up with ranks of trestle tables and a bar. If you

sit down and wait, someone will be over to bring you plate and cutlery (for 1€

per head) and take a drink order. Then you carve your lunch. Yum. It’s not high

class dining but lamb like that is a real treat.

 

Apart

from Lessay, there’s Gavray, Etouvy and the big November fair in

Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët and others. Lessay is probably biggest and most

interesting on the Friday because there’s a big horse sale and it’s interesting

to wander round, look at the horses – and ponies, donkeys, mules…

 

A slightly different but very interesting show (providing

you’re not anti-) is the hunting and fishing show held in the grounds of the

château at Carrouges (probably about 2 hours from St-Lo – though check with www.viamichelin.fr) in Orne at the

beginning of August. Amazing display of hounds of all shapes and sizes. This

probably fits in with your dates.

 

http://www.piegeur61.com/fr/carrouges/fete_de_la_chasse_de_carrouges.php3

 

For an extra payment, you can tour the château.

 

Two

useful books that not all home owners know about are the Almanach de la

Manche which (with a lot of other information such as the tides) lists all the

major foires and manifestations in Manche but also in adjacent Calvados and

Orne and the Calendrier Brocantes (Orne, Manche, Calvados). Both cost about 7€

and the maison de la presse, some supermarkets and bars usually have them for

sale. The Almanach is a little yellow book, the Calendrier Brocantes a

similarly sized dull-orange book.

[La Guerriere]

The Carrot Festival at Creances is a most important event and I think that this year it will be Saturday 09 August.....

[Normandie]

Thanks Catalpa & La G

I'll go to the Haras then as it sounds good and it's local.  We've picked up an old carriage at a brocante so this could be the inspiration to start using it - well - get a horse first!  There seems to be a carriage club in our area which would be great to join one day - I imagine there must be safety in numbers on the roads around our way?!

The link for the Chateau is great - much more what i meant.  Is it me? I can't see any details of the programme/prices etc online.

The lamb/bring your own cutlery is just how the Vire Autumn fair is - very interesting but as a vegetarian I miss out on the food and just drink!  Still, it is a specatacle full of lots of very interesting characters - I try not to gawp!  It seems to be an annual reunion for lots of families which is lovely.

Yes I've seen those books you mentioned - must get another copy for the UK so I can plan my trips better.  Gavray is lovely so must try and get to that one year.  So much to see ...

Looking forward to it! 

[Dick Smith]

Normandie - tell me more about the Vire fair, please. Usually we have to be home by the end of August for the start of term - but not this year!

[Dick Smith]

I found these on the Vire website (many more are there)- not all 'county show' type things, but sound interesting.

L. 14 Juillet : Vire – place du château - 23h – feu d’artifice et bal populaire devant l’Hôtel de Ville.

17 Août : St-Aubin-des-Bois - Fête des traditions Rétro -

après-midi - 200 acteurs en tenues d'époque, travaux dans les champs,

coupe des blés avec les méthodes anciennes, basse-cour, labour effectué

avec le concours des bœufs, maréchal-ferrant, tailleur de pierre,

sabotier, taxidermiste, apiculteur, lavandière et tout cela accompagné

d'un repas campagnard et d'un bal gratuit. Rens.: 02.31.69.43.95 ou

02.31.66.04.80

30 Août : Vire –

Place du Château – 7 ème vide-grenier rural et brocante, concours

d’arrondissement de la race normande, concours race ovine cotentine et

concours de chevaux, marché du terroir. Rens. et Rés emplacement :

02.31.68.22.51 ou 02.31.66.09.69

S. 30 et D. 31 Août  : Ger – Musée régional de la poterie – Sam. 20h Soirée

du feu – Démonstration de cuissons de poteries dans des fours éphémères

– Restauration sur place – Dim. - Marché de Potiers – Démonstrations et

ateliers de façonnage et d’émaillage – Visite des expositions –

Ambiance musicale – Rens : 02.33.79.35.36

D. 14 Septembre : Vire – Place du Champ de Foire – 10h/11h30 – Réunion de véhicules anciens des « Vieux Volants Virois ».

S. 20 et D. 21 Septembre : Vire et Bocage Virois - Journées du Patrimoine. Rens.: Point Info Tourisme 02.31.66.28.50

D. 21 septembre : Vire –

Hippodrome - Faire-play : Grande fête Franco-britannique – 10h-18h –

Vide grenier, marché du terroir et métiers d’arts, jeux britanniques et

normands – restauration sur place

From

http://www.vire-tourisme.com/an/

[Normandie]

Hi Dick

Will have to email my French friend about the 'Vire' fair and get back to you as that's what we call it but it does have a proper name which I can't remember.

Will post a reply once I hear from him ...

Lucky you - a 'free' man - best wishes for your retirement!

 

[Dick Smith]

Thank you very much. Lots more time, lots less money!

[Normandie]

Hi Dick

It's " La foire d'Etouvy" the 2nd or 3rd weekend of October.

Hope that helps ...

 

[chrisb]

This weekend it's the Ballooning festival at Balleroy for those wanting to get up up and away!

I always hope one of them might make an un-planned landing in our meadow so I can rush out shouting the French for "Oi! Gerroff moi land you b*******". Tee Hee.

[paradis]

The Fete de la Chasse et de la Peche at Carrouges is well worth a visit. It is held on 1,2 & 3 August. Sat & Sun are the best days to go.  Entrance is 9 euros which includes a visit to the chateau.  Lots to see and not very commercialised as many shows are in UK.  Normal Normandy buffet available and is good value.  Open air restaurant type meals also available but I think you have to book.  Details should be available from Tourist Office in Bagnoles, tel 0233378566 where they usually have someone on duty who speaks English.  Hope you enjoy yourselves. 

[Monika]

[quote user="Dick Smith"]Normandie - tell me more about the Vire fair, please. Usually we have to be home by the end of August for the start of term - but not this year!
[/quote]

Very happy retirement!

[Dick Smith]

Didn't spot that - too busy - thanks very much!

Will be back in the UK by October, but plan to go to the Vire Franco-Britannique thing in September.

[welly]

[quote user="Dick Smith"]Normandie - tell me more about the Vire fair, please. Usually we have to be home by the end of August for the start of term - but not this year!
[/quote]

 

Hi everyone,

It's early days, and can be organised quite quickly so if you are interested in doing something for your region.   come on board and learn the ropes..   the more shows the more fun for all...

 You may or may not be pleased to know I was approached last year by a group of retired  Farmers now living in suburbia, near Caen, they heard thru the french grape vine I used to organise County standard shows in the Uk, and they decided to put me back to work...

They aim to bring back the Caen Agricultural show 2010  or 2011 depends on land purchase for the people of Calvados.

I agreed to OVERSEE the project on several conditions.

1. I asked if any had been to a show in the Uk and three of the five had,  Devon County and the Royal Cornwall, so I was OK.

 I will organise on the condition we can set up a permenent showground outside Caen, 100 acres approx... and it will be run on the same basis as the Uk County shows..(I judge in France and not impressed with their show organisation at all)

so,  a county country show. with a French accent.....which will incorperate every country sport,  and displays of livestock and pets, and a mammoth food festival of French produce,  French .Rural crafts, etc... and of course Machinery new and bygone. It will be encouraged that societies and organisations will use the showground during the year as their main office and annual shows. and as Normandy is a mega showjumping and carriage driving area, these sports also.

These lovely people are setting us the paperwork behind the scenes for the whole matter to be legal and we hunt for the perfect land for a showground. and parking.  being near Caen Ferry it will of course encourage the brits to come over with whatever they wish to exhibit..

I personally welcome any english to help us by telling their french neighbours, and educating them what a county show is.. and start getting your livestock geese,pigs, sheep cattle ponies ready, as there will be a few events held before to warm up.. Classes may be affiliated to UK assns. Ponies Uk etc...BDS etc...

and if any Brits have time to throw on a suit and a bowler to officiate at the shows and expenses will be honoured I say english because many out there already know what to do... and there will be some heavy socialising after and during these events...

If there are any experienced who would like to get involved do contact us... but there is no hurry wait until you see the announcment of the purchase of the land.... we move forward from there.

We have already been sponsored for the Lovely Rosettes and Prize Cards. and a stack of Trophies, and More please... which is a great start. this Show will be a massive  shop window for the french.country people  . and it must remain a country show and not loose it's ruralness and become a  shopping show  like so many in the UK.  Welly..

[chrisb]

That's great news Welly - and a great boost for Lower Normandy.

A show combining the efficiency and range of the UK ones with the produce of Normandy's farms should be a winner. The best of both worlds indeed.

Over the years have attended many shows - at school we were all bussed to our County Show and since then have attended many as a punter and sometimes as an exhibitor - but usually managed to abandon my colleagues on the stall to have a good mooch round the livestock lines.

Good luck!

[oscar]

The Manche young farmers association is holding it's annual show on 6th September this year in Beuvrigny, near Tessy sur vire.