When in France....
When in France....

SeaFrance Dover - Calais FerriesWhat's On and Where to Go

April Fools' Day
1 April 2009
Across France
Watch your back if you're in France on April Fool's Day. Tradition has it that paper fish are stuck on the back of the unsuspecting - hence the name "Poisson d'Avril", or April fish. Even if you manage to avoid acting as a pin-board for someone's trout, be discerning when you read or watch the news: journalists are fond of sneaking in bogus stories!

Festival Bruxelles Babel
April 2009
Theatre Marni, Brussels, Paris
Two hundred and fifty children from all over Brussels put on a lively show at the Marni Theatre during the Festival Bruxelles-Babel, aimed at 12 to 21 year olds from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds.

Plein Sud Festival
3-13 April 2009
Cozes, France
African culture is in the spotlight at the Plein Sud Festival, held in the village of Cozes in Poitou-Charentes. Events include arthouse film screenings, dance and theatre performances, craft markets and readings.

Envies de Printemps Spring Expo
17-20 April 2009
Parc des Expositions, Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg's Parc des Expositions welcomes the spring with its Envies de Printemps Expo, a huge gathering dedicated to the worlds of home, garden, health and leisure. Hundreds of stalls provide inspiration and free samples of products to take away.

International Festival of Fantastic Film
9-21 April 2009
Tour & Taxis, Brussels, Belgium
Every year, the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film puts on a splendid line-up of screenings, premieres, retrospectives, country spotlights, competitions, parties and theatrical events for horror fans.

International Kite Festival
18-26 April 2009
Berck-sur-Mer, France
Berck sur Mer hosts Europe's biggest kite festival, bringing together kite-flyers from China, Australia, America and Europe. Visitors can admire the craziest kites, from flying fish to imaginary monsters, take kit-flying lessons and try out the latest models.

Want more in France?

Want more in France?A mere cork-pop away from Dover’s white cliffs, Nord Pas de Calais is at France’s northernmost tip. Get your cultural kicks in Calais and Lille, then explore the region. Lille has made a name for itself with superb Franco-Flemish gastronomy, a world class arts scene, lively nighlife and excellent shopping. Venture further afield to Paris, for a culture mad city. Pose at a terrasse café, stalk the wide Haussmannian boulevards and soak up the culture, from the Louvre to the Pompidou Centre.

Want more in Belgium?

Want more in Belgium?Bon vivant Brussels is self-deprecating and surreal. Come to eat and drink extremely well and then let yourself be won over by architecture and art nouveau swirls, designer boutiques and intriguing museums from Hergé cartoons to Magritte.