Major events – Autumn
September
Lyon Biennales
La Biennale de Lyon conceives, produces and organizes two major international events, alternating by year – the Biennale de la danse on even years, the Biennale d’art contemporain on odd years.
www.labiennaledelyon.com
Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc - Chamonix
A major draw for trail runners from across the globe who gather in Chamonix, almost 8,000 ultra-keen runners taking part in one of the five races that make up the event.
utmbmontblanc.com
Coupe Icare - Saint-Hilaire du Touvet
This major gathering of hang-gliders involves dreams and daring, emotions and creativity, fantasy and thrills, colour and laughter… and above all, the joy of free flight and sharing a passion for it.
www.coupe-icare.org
October
Festival Lumière - Lyon
This festival invites visitors to discover or rediscover classic films from right across the world during a week paying homage to the Lumière brothers, who invented cinematography in Lyon in 1895. This is a major draw for cinema lovers.
www.festival-lumiere.org
Retour des Alpages - Annecy
Along with the herds being brought back down from the high Alpine pastures nearby, this major traditional folklore festival also provides the chance to witness old trades, craftspeople and folklore groups, all while enjoying tastings of local produce.
www.lac-annecy.com
Les Castagnades - Ardèche
The chestnut festivals around the Parc des Monts-d’Ardèche definitely appeal to the taste buds. From early October to mid-November, the area’s chestnut producers and inhabitants celebrate around their village squares this essential little fruit that even provided flour to make bread in these parts.
www.castagnades.fr
Fascinant week-end - Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The 3rd weekend of October, Fascinant Week-end takes place in the region’s 10 wine areas accredited with the Vignobles et Découvertes label. Over 200 activities are proposed, in the midst of vineyards.
www.fascinant-weekend.fr
Novembre
Beaujolais Nouveau
Every year, across the world, on the third Thursday in November, people celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau, the season’s new wine, for a jolly, festive evening.
www.beaujolais.fr