 Marais Poitevin |  |
HAUTE-LOIRE AIRE
A new aire has been constructed in the small rural village of Raucoules in the Haute-Loire department of the Auvergne -- South of Sainte Etienne. This modern municipal aire was created with purpose-built motorhome parking spaces on tarmac bordered by grass areas with picnic tables & lighting at night. Parking is free & electric/ water are available via jetons at 2€. Full details in the Aires Directory.
MARAIS POITEVIN
The Marais Poitevin in Poitou Charentes, also known as Venise Verte (Green Venice), has recently been named as one of the 35 Great Sites in France - this unique marshland between the Atlantic and the town of Niort, is the second largest temperate zone in France after the Carmargue, so apart from being fascinating the Marais Poitevin is blessed with an especially agreeable climate. There are loads of well-marked, safe, cycle paths on which visitors can discover marshland ports or quiet traditional villages nestling between marsh and plain. A quality charter has been signed by more than 40 cycle hire companies, who will supply you not only with bicycles but also maps, itineraries and repair kits.
FESTIVAL OF PLANTS
From 3rd to 5th April, Chateau de la Bordaisiere in the Loire Valley will be hosting its 16th Festival of Plants. The park area will have over a hundred exhibitors specializing in the sale of plants and garden art and the event will also provide an opportunity to discover several new important exhibits at the Chateau.
BRITTANY FERRIES
Brittany Ferries announce the introduction of the Mv Cap Finistere to the fleet. From mid March the new ship will sail from Portsmouth to both Santander and Cherbourg. This means they will offer a choice of 4 return sailings to Spain every week from Portsmouth or Plymouth, as well as a new cruise ferry service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg complementing their daily high speed service. The summer high speed service from Poole to Cherbourg will continue to operate, from 17th May until 26th September 2010.
LD LINES
From 26th March until 13th September 2010, the Norman Arrow will run a service between Portsmouth and Le Havre - LD Lines' brand new high speed ferry, named "Norman Arrow", is the largest ever fast ferry to operate on the cross channel routes between England and France. She is also the first ever freight-carrying high speed vessel to cross the Western Channel. All types of tourist traffic are carried including cars, caravans, motor homes, coaches, motorcycles, foot passengers, in addition to freight. The new craft will operate at speeds of 40 knots, provide a crossing time of just three hours and has capacity for 1200 passengers.
NEW AIRE IN YONNE
The village of Treigny in Yonne is in the process of opening a new aire de service. The aire is located on the champ de foire in the village where parking is free & there are drainage & fresh water facilities.
KITE FLYING FESTIVAL
The 24th International Kite Festival will be held from 10th to 18th April at Berck-sur-Mer in Pas-de-Calais where the best kite flyers in the world will compete in front of over 600,000 spectators.
SPRING IN BOURGES
Thye 34th Music Festival "Spring in Bourges" will be held from 13th to 18th April in Bourges including
in all, 80 shows by 200 artists from a wide variety of musical genres which will take place in venues and marquees around Bourges. And don't forget the fringe festival, which attracts hundreds of street performers each year.
TOULOUSE INTERNATIONAL FAIR
From 3rd to 12th April, the Toulouse Interantional Fair will host over 650 exhibitors. The 650 exhibitors will be grouped into four sections:
- « La vie Maison » presents a complete range of products for doing up and fitting out your home.
- «Envie de temps libre », : here visitors will find stands devoted to well-being, culture and leisure.
- « Les plaisirs Gourmands », : this is just the place for those who love food and drink. Here you will find countless local products and recipes.
- « La Cité et Le Monde » : exhibitors take you on a journey of imagination, through decorative pieces and craft work from around the world.
BOVES d'ARRAS
Each spring in Arras, Nord Pas-de-Calais, from 20/3 to 20/6, the Boves d'Arras, an underground network of galleries beneath the city, are transformed into gardens! Drawing on Jules Verne's novels, the organisers have concocted a "journey to the centre of the earth". Visitors move through a space that blends science fiction with reality, where they will also see the fantastic machines and Gothic inventions taken straight from the author's works.