Exhibitions, amusement parks, gourmet tourism: the many regions of France celebrate the coming of spring with vibrant cultural events. There's also something for everyone.
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| Paris, France (Photo: TimeLabPro) |
The spring vacations are an excellent time to explore the innovations and must-see events of 2023 around France. Getaways are in order from Alsace to Nice, with a plethora of new programs to go green or nurture yourself. All you have to do is follow the instructions.
Discover the 400th anniversary of the Palace of Versailles.
If Henri IV admired the game-filled woodlands surrounding Versailles, it was his son Louis XIII who picked the site for the construction of a hunting lodge, which he gained control of in 1623. magnificent year, a vast cultural program is presented to commemorate the four centuries of magnificent castle, which is inextricably linked to French history.
The first act begins with an exhibition that brings together nine Caravaggesque-style masterpieces from Louis XIV's art collection for the first time since the end of the 17th century. Normally displayed six meters above the ground, these artworks are now on display at eye level until July 16. Two areas will also be open to the public for the first time this spring.
The Jardin du Parfumeur will open its doors on May 30. Hundreds of aromatic essences will be grown in the atmosphere of the 17th century Trianon gardens, allowing visitors to follow the history of perfume at the palace of Versailles. And, beginning June 20, visitors will be able to enter one of the old royal residence's most hidden rooms: Marie-Antoinette's internal cupboards. This quintessentially feminine room will finally be exposed after several years of investigation and renovation. This spring, rediscover Versailles for its 400th anniversary, a royal luxury available to everybody!
Discover the universe in France's largest planetarium in Auvergne
Vulcania is a one-of-a-kind amusement park located in Auvergne, in the center of the Chaîne des Puys volcanoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. But the park will genuinely commemorate this milestone this year since the building of France's largest planetarium, which had been postponed due to the health crisis, is now complete.
This planetarium is one-of-a-kind, with a 22-meter-diameter immersive dome outfitted with a 10K laser projection system and cutting-edge 7.1 audio for a unique audiovisual experience! Scientific shows appropriate for the entire family give a greater knowledge of how the universe and stars function, shedding light on the telluric realm of volcanoes, to which this park is devoted.
This planetarium rounds off the park's offerings, which include a stage start on July 11 for the Tour de France. This spring, new cycling attractions are opening, such as the Piste de Vulcain, where you can test your riding abilities on a competitive track.
Enjoy the cuisine of the North
This year, the Hauts de France have been designated as a European Gastronomic Region. This badge, awarded by the International Institute of cuisine, Art, and Culture (IGCAT), recognizes each year the cuisine of an area or country in the European Union, as well as initiatives to defend a healthy and sustainable diet.
Hauts-de-France, the first French area to receive this distinction, hopes to demonstrate to Lyonnais, Toulouse, and other Alsatians, who are all proud of their cuisines, that the inhabitants of the North, too, have a wonderful gastronomic culture to protect. From now through the end of the year, there will be a plethora of "food" activities available, such as gourmet markets, culinary seminars, chefs' picnics, and festivals (such as the beer festival).
Along with these one-time events, the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle in Lille has an exhibition on 19th-century crockery, allowing visitors to learn about the meals of a bourgeois family at the time. A "year of gastronomy" that also serves as a reason to discover the various chefs that bring regional food to life, including, in the front row, Florent Ladeyn, the most "terroirist" of Northern chefs who is establishing two new bistros in Bethune and Marcq-en-Baroeul this spring...
Discover ancient Egypt's riches in Lyon and Paris
This spring, the pharaohs' ancient Egypt overwhelms France more than ever. Following the 200th anniversary of Champollion's decoding of hieroglyphs in 2022, two of Egypt's most renowned pharaohs are the stars in 2023. Due to the popularity of the exhibition "Tutankhamun, discovering the pharaoh forgotten" at La Sucrière in Lyon, which has already attracted approximately 200,000 people, an expansion has been agreed. Fans of Egyptology and fantastic entertainment have till August 13 to explore the reproduction of the young pharaoh's tomb, which was unearthed a century ago by archaeologist Howard Carter.
For historical accuracy, the three tomb chambers have been recreated using period techniques. Hundreds more duplicates complete the illusion of being the first to enter this forbidden tomb. An exhibition for all ages, especially youngsters who like the immersive element and the escape game concealed in the middle of the course.
Another celebrity of ancient Egypt draws visitors at La Villette in Paris: Ramses II, the pharaoh with the longest reign in history. Until September 6, you may examine a magnificent treasure made up of real artifacts dating back more than 3000 years. Exceptional gems, amazing royal masks, furniture from the surviving tombs of Tanis, and the show's showpiece, Ramses II's coffin, a precious work loaned by the Egyptian authorities and not seen in France in almost 50 years!
Nice Celebrates Matisse and Chagall
The Matisse and Chagall museums in Nice are commemorating their 60th and 50th anniversaries, respectively, this spring! As a result, a series of extraordinary occurrences will surprise followers of these two great painters. The Matisse Museum is celebrating its 60th anniversary with four major exhibits that will take place throughout the year. The ball is inaugurated by American artist Tom Wesselmann and will run through May 29. This show chronicles his appreciation for the great Henri Matisse via a selection of about forty of his works. This will be followed, beginning June 23, by a second show co-produced with the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Arts, focusing on the painter's "American" phase.
For the Chagall Museum, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the first of three highlights scheduled for this year is the exhibition "Chagall and me!" It demonstrates the universality and contemporaneity of Marc Chagall's work through the subjective perspectives of four contemporary artists (visual artists, writers, and dancers). The second portion, which will once again feature four contemporary designers, will begin on May 13. Finally, keep in mind the big celebratory weekend from July 7 to 9, which will be the pinnacle of this year's celebrations.
Explore the Alsace Wine Route, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
The vineyards of Alsace are known all over the world. They are traversed by one of the most historic and well-known wine routes, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Alsatian winegrowers are consequently hosting a series of meetings this spring. This wine tourism event, dubbed "Alsace Rocks! La Tournée des Terroirs," is aimed at both novice and experienced wine enthusiasts.
From April 23 to July 30, a different event is held in the middle of the vineyards every Sunday. 15 stages are planned from Thann to Bergbieten, via Kaysersberg, Ribauvillé, and Dambach-la-Ville, to highlight the diversity of Alsace's terroirs. An ephemeral bar, unconventional tastings, culinary activities, fauna and flora discovery workshops, treasure hunts, or vine-side talks... All in a joyful and musical setting.
In Troyes, see the Lacoste art and stained glass.
This spring in Troyes, two dramatically opposing cultures of the symbol made headlines. It honors the most recognized trademark in fashion (the Lacoste crocodile) at a time when the city is holding a stained glass museum! A significant gap that demands a trip to Aube's capital.
First, visit the Hosiery Museum, where Lacoste is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The company was founded by the legendary tennis player René Lacoste and the Trojan industrialist André Gillier. The two men created the iconic "petit piqué" knit and pioneered the marketing of the jersey shirt, which is now regarded a fashion classic over a century later.
An icon that cannot (yet!) be found on the stained glass windows of the Aube region's 350 churches and other buildings, as symbolized by the spanking new Cité du vitrail de Troyes. The Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte, a unique 18th century ensemble, houses a permanent display of original pieces illustrating the legacy and art of stained glass in Aube, one of the largest in Europe. A one-of-a-kind museum where you can see expert glassmakers' work up close... before shopping at the Lacoste factory store in Troyes!