Marathon du Médoc
For the past three decades, the Médoc wine region near Bordeaux has been hosting its own marathon. Held in September, the event sees around 10,000 runners race along a 42-kilometer course with 59 wine château stops along the way. Participants typically don fancy dress costumes and have the opportunity to sample oysters, cheese, foie gras, and a variety of wines. Other highlights include a 10-kilometer wine estate walkway, dances, and fireworks displays. Only in France can you find marathon runners stopping for wine and oysters instead of sports drinks and protein bars!
Fête du Piment d’Espelette
The Basque town of Espelette hosts dances, music, and food stalls over the weekend to pay homage to its deep-red chili pepper. Held every October, the streets of the entire town are decorated with red and white banners and strings of dried red peppers. Special highlights of this weekend festival include Sunday blessings of the pepper harvest and services provided by the Confrérie du Piment d’Espelette.
Fête de la Dinde
The town of Licques, south of Calais, is renowned in France for its Christmas turkeys. Every December, residents celebrate the local turkey festival, where the highlight is a turkey parade through the streets competing for the title of “Best Performance.” The festival also features markets, celebratory meals, and dances.
Foire au Boudin
Whether you love it or hate it, black pudding, or boudin noir in French, has its own festival in the Normandy village of Mortagne au Perche every March. Over 100 exhibitors from France and beyond come to sell their blood sausages and compete for product quality awards. Visitors have the chance to taste various types of black pudding, including some of the strangest flavors like chocolate, chili, and cognac brandy.
