Main events 2012 in Amiens
Here is the list of the main events in Amiens for year 2012.
Scents of winter, The Christmas market in Amiens
25 November to 31 Decembre 2011
In the heart of the city, the largest Christmas market in Northern France helps with preparations for end-of-year festivities.
Over 125 stalls: ideas for presents, food and drink items, world handicrafts, etc. Children's events are also held at "Santa's Grotto".
Information : Fédération des commerçants du centre-ville
Tel. : + 33 (0)3 22 72 14 09 /
fedecommerce.amiens@yahoo.fr
Amiens, a Cathedral in colours
1 December 2011 to 1 January 2012
At twilight, the saints, apostles and other figures carved in the stone of the frontage since the 13th century find a new life through a polychrome lighting.
A new way to discover the fabulous architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site through a renewed view of its western frontage sculpture. Come and Share a brighter colour revelation in a new musical atmosphere.
Information : Amiens Métropole Tourist Office
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 71 60 50
www.amiens-cathedrale.com
17th Comic Strip Festival
2 & 3 June 2012
About ten original exhibitions, several animations and competitions will be public.
The association "On a marché sur la bulle" ("We walked on the balloon",play on words about Tintin's album "On a marché sur la lune", translated into English "Explorers on the Moon") was created in 1995; since that date, it organizes every year a meeting dedicated to the comic strip; nearly 75 authors from all over the world come in Amiens and meet together, sign their books and debate.
Information : Association « On a marché sur la bulle »
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 72 18 74
www.bd.amiens.com
73rd Trade Fair of Picardy
2 to 10 June 2012
The Picardy trade fair is today a major event for the whole region.
10,000 m2 of exhibition halls and 25,000 m2 of outside areas, 300 exhibitors in very variated domains and more than 35,000 visitors coming from the whole Picardy.
Information : Mégacité, Sececam / Foires et Salons (GL Events)
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 66 09 07
www.foire-de-picardie.com
Amiens, a Cathedral in colours
15 June to 16 September 2012
At twilight, the saints, apostles and other figures carved in the stone of the frontage since the 13th century find a new life through a polychrome lighting.
A new way to discover the fabulous architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site through a renewed view of its western frontage sculpture. Come and Share a brighter colour revelation in a new musical atmosphere.
Information : Office de Tourisme d’Amiens Métropole
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 71 60 50
www.amiens-cathedrale.com
35th Streets Arts Festival
22 to 24 June 2012
Several companies will play in the streets, in the districts, on the places, on the boulevards : parades, street theatre, comedians, circus...
It will be a pleasure for everyone, children and adults alike !
Information : Pôle régional des Arts du Cirque
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 35 40 41
w2.amiens.com/amiens-artsdelarue/accueil.html
Farmer Market Festival
24 June 2012
Organized at the same time as the Festival in the town, the market on water brings a tradition back to life: the tradition of the market gardening during the 19th century in Amiens...
Once a year, in parallel to the Festival in the town, the market on water takes place like in the past. The 'hortillons' (market gardeners of the so called 'hortillonnages') are wearing their traditional costume and flow down the Somme in their small barge-like boats loaded with vegetable, red fruitsand flowers, to the Parmentier place. They come alongside and prepare their stalls: the market is ready to beginn.
This market brings a tradition back to life: the tradition of the authentic products of the Hortillonnages.
Information : Association pour la protection et la sauvegarde des Hortillonnages
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 92 12 18
The 3G, a great summer spread of shopware
June/July 2012
At the same time as the summer sales, the Federation of city centre shopkeepers is organising a great airing of wares in the streets of the city centre.
Information : Fédération des commerçants du centre-ville
Tel.: +33 (0)03 22 72 14 09
fedecommerce.amiens@yahoo.fr
26th Cultural Puppet Show Season
15 July to 31 August 2012
"Ches Cabotans d'Amiens" proposes traditional picardian puppets shows for adults and children. In Amiens, there is a bicentenary tradition still alive: the marionettes and the puppets with rods.
The main figure is Lafleur, a jolly fellow who has a great love of Justice and Liberty; he sometimes criticizes our contemporary society. He is accompanied by his wife Sandrine, his old friend Tchot Blaise and a lot of delightful characters.
Information : Théâtre de marionnettes Chés Cabotans d’Amiens
Tel :+ 33 (0)3 22 22 30 90
www.ches-cabotans-damiens.com
Ballon au Poing French Championship
15 August 2012
The famous game "ballon au poing" (fistball) is like a religion in Picardy and it is organized for 200 years. you need a ball and six players teams.
To shout in the ball, the players have to entoure first their hand and their fist with a strip of tissu or cuir. A match plays in 6 or 7 games, which are counted in 15 (like tennis).
This cutural and sport event takes place in the Parc de la Hotoie in Amiens.
Information : Fédération Française de Ballon au Poing
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 96 86 65
ffbp@wanadoo.fr
The great autumn sale...
September 2012
A great spread of stalls in the streets of the city centre, organised by the Federation of city centre shopkeepers, selling remaining stocks of summer collections.
Information : Fédération des commerçants du centre-ville
Tel.: +33 (0)3 22 72 14 09
fedecommerce.amiens@yahoo.fr
22nd Festival by the water
8 & 9 September 2012
Like every year, the district Saint-Leu will live in a medieval atmosphere during the 'Fête au bord de l'eau' (Party at the water's edge)... This traditional popular show proposes a lot of animations.
From boulevard du Cange to boulevard Baraban, you will discover local products and jobs of the past.
Artisans will be on the medieval market, while recreated camps with warriors and a "Cour des Miracles" with its villains will delight History lovers.
Information : Histoire Traditions Amiénoises
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 44 22 79
National Heristage Week-End
15 & 16 September 2012
During two days, you can discover the Amiens heritage thanks to free and original guided tours organized by guides accredited by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.
For the occasion, a lot of châteaux, churches or unusual places in the Amiens region will be open.
A lot of sites will be accessible to disabled pesons.
Like last year, the public is invited to paint the cobbles of the Notre-Dame place "in the colours of the world".
Children will not be forgotten and workshops will be organized specially for them.
Information : Unité Patrimoine – Ville d’Art et d’Histoire d’Amiens Métropole
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 22 58 90
patrimoine@amiens-metropole.com
Autumn Flea Market and Antique Fair
7 October 2012
With its 80,000 vistors, the garage sale (called "réderie" in Picardy) is the second most important event of this type, after this of Lille.
On Sunday, the 3rd of October, Amiens will wake up in the festive atmosphere of its traditional spring "réderie". You must be on place very early to find good deals !
51 streets are full of antique-hunters from Picardy, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada, Italy, and even Australia!
From 5a.m, about 500 professional sellers and 1500 amateur sellers prepare their "shop", like an Aladdin's cave...
Information : Fédération des commerçants du centre-ville
Tel. : + 33 (0)3 22 72 14 09
fedecommerce.amiens@yahoo.fr
Amiens Métropole Tourist Office
Tel. : + 33 (0)3 22 71 60 50
www.visit-amiens.com
"White Night"
13 October 2012
An entire night dedicated to contemporary art and new music all over the city.
Information : Amiens Métropole
www.whitenightnuitblanche.com
Arlette Gruss Circus
7 to 11 November 2012
Come and watch the new show by the Arlette Gruss Circus!
An extravaganza for young and old.
Information : Cirque Jules Verne
Tel.: +33 (0)3 22 35 40 41
www.cirque-gruss.com
32nd International Film Festival
16 to 25 November 2012
A travel around the world of international cinema with showing of 400 films and 500 professional people will be there.
Discovery of tomorrow's talents and a study of the cinema history.
Information : Festival du film
Tel : + 33 (0)3 22 71 35 70
www.filmfestamiens.org
contact@filmfestamiens.org