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What's on in France: Nine things to do in April

The Local France
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What's on in France: Nine things to do in April
Photo: Foire de Paris

Spring is here, so let's find out where to make the most of the season in France.

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This music festival is now in its 41st year and gets bigger every time; over six days, more than 100 artists will perform from a diverse range of genres, with concerts showcasing big names as well as newcomers.
 
Photo: Simon Gosselin/ Printemps-bourges.com
 
Music industry professionals regularly recruit new talent at the Printemps du Bourges, so if you’re the type of person who likes to hear new sounds before they hit the charts, it’s a good chance to spot about-to-be-discovered stars. 
 
And you can get reduced rates for public transport tickets between Bourges and Paris.
 
 
A brand new addition to the festival calendar, the celebration of Côte d'Azur's sunny gardens will kick off with the theme "Awakening the senses". 
 
 
The festival will include competitions to create beautiful temporary gardens as well as events within parks and gardens.  
 
 
This will be the 41st edition of the Paris marathon, one of the world's biggest, with a route taking in iconic Parisian views. Even if you won’t be participating, you can find a scenic spot to watch the racers and enjoy some of the entertainment on offer for the occasion. 
 
Photo: Aurelien Vialatte / ASO 
 
The "Salon du Running", which takes place three days before the marathon at Porte de Versailles, has become part of the build up the run, where running fans can meet over 200 professionals. 
 
For those more interested in having some fun, the Paris Color Run will take place on the 16th of April, a five kilometre fun run where you get pelted with coloured powder bombs along the way. 
 
 
If you sometimes feel like you were born in the wrong century, this historical reenactment gives you a chance to experience life in Roman times, in the atmospheric setting of Nimes' Roman amphitheatre. 
 
 
This year's theme is The Celtic Queen and will focus on Boudica, who led an uprising against Rome in Britain in 60 AD. 
 
You can relive the Roman games (without the bloodshed) with gladiatorial combat, chariot races and an enactment of the final battle between the Romans and the Celts.
 
 
The long, windy beaches of Berck sur Mer see hundreds of thousands of tourists gather annually to admire giant kites of all shapes, sizes and colours. 
 
Celebrating the 31st year of the event, there will be displays, workshops and fireworks at night. 
 
Photo: cerf-volant-berck.com
 
 
It's a sad time of year for seafood-lovers as the scallop season comes to an end, but Brittany fishing towns Erquy, Saint-Quay-Portrieux and Paimpol ensure it goes out in style with a dedicated festival.
 
Photo: Alain Quemper/ Brittany Tourism
 
There will be a parade, street entertainment, music and obviously plenty of food. Many restaurants offer special menus for the occasion and you can even go out with the sailors on one of the final fishing trips.
 
 
Now running for 113 years in Paris, the fair focuses on innovation in five different areas of our daily life: house and lifestyle, well being, fashion and accessories, leisure and everyday life and regional wine and gastronomy.
 
Photo: Foire de Paris
 
Visitors can test all kinds of products, making it great for anyone looking to furnish a new home or just find out more about technology.
 
You can also find the tropical music performances and African and South American cuisine. 
 
 
France is renowned for its cinematic traditions, but homesick UK expats, or anyone interested in film, might appreciate something a bit different like this festival of British films. 
 
Films to include a special on Ken Loach, showing his recent film I, Daniel Blake alongside some of his classics. 
 
Standard entry is six euros, but you can see six films for €30. 
 
Photo: Visit Corsica
 
 
It's easy to see why the ancient city of Antibes, founded centuries BC and a favourite of Monet, Picasso and Renoir to name just a few, is an appropriate venue for one of Europe’s largest antiques and arts fairs. 
 
Photo: Antibes art fair
 
The stalls, some covered and some open-air, will showcase jewellery, artworks and furniture, and the event has become popular with international traders and collectors. 
 

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