France starts autumn in cultural style with a month of events

Celebrating the very best of French history, culture, cuisine and sport, plus a splash here and there of international culture, too. From gardens to film, mussels to marathon, you won’t be stuck for something to do. Question is, where will you go first?

1. International Garden Festival

Where: Chaumont-sur-Loire
When: until 5 November

This outdoor art museum in the form of garden and landscape art takes over the castle grounds at Chaumont-sur-Loire for the summer six months. Depending on when you visit, the exhibitions will be in a different state. This is no static display, everything you see is a work in progress on a collective theme. For more detail on the exhibits take a two hour guided walking tour. This year’s theme is Garden of Thought.

2. American Film Festival

Where: Deauville

The Deauville American Film Festival (Festival du Cinema American de Deauville) is a celebration of American film culture. One hundred or more US movies are chosen for screening from Hollywood blockbusters to independent cinematic delights. There’s judging, awards and also a festival village for insight into every aspect of this fascinating and dominating arts scene.

3. Lille Street Market

Where: Lille

A combination of ancient history meets every day life in Lille on the first weekend of September every year at Lille Braderie. With its origins in the Lille Fair of the 12th century this 33 hour-long fair starts with a half marathon and runs through the night ending at 11pm on the Sunday. With the city pedestrianised, there are only three things to do. 1: sell your goods on one of the market stalls. 2: buy some of those goods. 3: eat modules frites. It’s traditional for Lille restaurants to serve the dish throughout the festival. What’s more there a competition to amass the tallest pile of discarded mussel shells outside your restaurant. That alone is a sight worth seeing!

4. Medoc Marathon

Where: Pauillac

A rather novel combination, wine and running, and this really is rather unique in the marathon calendar. Celebrating its 21st year in 2016, the Medoc Marathon takes in the villages of Saint-Julien and Saint-Estephe as well as some 50 chateaux along the way. In addition to this scenic route, runners are invited to partake and replenish with culinary delights including wine, foie gras and oysters as they make their way along the 26.2 mile route!

5. Cremieu Medieval Festival

Where: Cremieu

September events in Cremieu are a throwback to the Middle Ages. You’ll find costume clad fire-eaters, jousters, jugglers and traditional trades showing their wares. Take part in a workshop, taste time gone by at the big banquet or simply marvel at the many and varied street performances trying to catch your eye.

6. European Heritage Days

Where: across France

Perhaps the crowning glory of France’s cultural events in September sees many public and private buildings open to the public. Across these two European Heritage Days you can access the Elysée Palace and town halls as well as private castles and villas. Whether the venues are open normally or not, this weekend sees special guided tours, demonstrations and performances hosted at each of them or across multiple venues so you can follow a heritage trail.

7. Touraine Loire Valley Marathon

Where: Tours

While the route of this marathon takes in spectacular wine country, you don’t have to consume any until the finish. Starting in Tours the route goes along the banks of the Loire taking in Villandry Castle, Berthenay, Saint-Genouph and La Riche. But this wouldn’t be France if there wasn’t a gastronomic element. Competitors and their supporters are invited to join the “pasta party” the evening before the race.

8. Tous au Restaurant

Where: across France

Such a unique event that celebrates the very best of French cuisine, we had to squeeze it in to this list of September events in France even though it starts on 1 October this year. Tous au Restaurant entitles diners to one free meal for every meal bought at any restaurant involved in the scheme during the two week festival. When reservations open on 25 September you’ll have to be quick to secure a place at the table of France’s finest Michelin star restaurants and authentic local brasseries.

9. The British Film Festival

Where: Dinard

Dinard is said to be the most British of French seaside resorts and as such has become closely associated to launching British cinema in Europe. Just like Cannes, there’s judging, there are awards, there’s red carpet and many a successful British movie has been launched here. It’s rather an odd scenario for a Brit to experience, but good show!

10. The Great Bulwark or Grand Pavois

Where: La Rochelle

Now this is very much up our street! An international boat fair that takes places in Minimes Harbour, La Rochelle with more than 800 exhibitors. As events go this is vast. You’ll find themed areas, small boats and enormous yachts, and many are available to try before you buy. The atmosphere is fabulous and you’ll get close to some of the world’s most spectacular nautical creations in the stunning setting of La Rochelle.

There are plenty of summer-long events that take place in France and continue through September and some beyond then too.