Festivals at the heart of heritage

For the past 14 years, the Curieux Printemps festival has been bringing live entertainment to Rouen. Free and open to all, it takes to the streets, crèches, schoolyards and many other venues to offer unique artistic moments. Supported by local and regional talent, it celebrates discovery, sharing and imagination. Whether you’re young or old, curious or passionate, let yourself be surprised by this wonderful cultural experience in the heart of the city!

Terres de Paroles is a festival that celebrates literature in all its forms, bringing it to life with theater, poetry, music and the living word. Throughout the Seine-Maritime region, it invites young and old alike to unexpected encounters with words, authors and artists. Accessible, itinerant and deeply human, this festival forges links between works and audiences, in a friendly, open atmosphere. A true cultural experience to be experienced up close, in a village, in a media library or on a stage in the heart of nature.

Organized by the town of Sotteville-lès-Rouen in partnership withAtelier 231, Vivacité has been returning for over 30 years with an ever more creative program of outdoor shows. For 3 days, nearly 300 performances are offered day and night in an unparalleled atmosphere. Through light and sound shows, processions and fireworks, more than 70 companies transport you into their world and make this event unique. So don’t wait any longer, immerse yourself in the festive and colorful world of this street arts festival.

Organized by the Salle du 106, this is THE highlight of Normandy’s cultural scene. Thanks to its festive, audacious and open programming, this is the place to discover a host ofartists and groups. After taking over the Presqu’île Rollet for several years, the festival is now nomadic and free of charge, with reservations required. A brand-new format for the past few years: several venues in the Rouen Metropolitan area, a different timeframe, but a Rush as full of vitamins as ever, with world music, rap, pop, electro, rock and folk!

The Commedia dell’Arte festival plunges you into the heart of lively, colorful popular theater, where masks, fencing, acrobatics, humor and romance intertwine for memorable performances. Troupes from all over France perform at eight different venues, in the open air when the skies permit, on a wooden stage faithful to Italian tradition. Get ready for a whirlwind of energy and poetry, in the open air or under the stars!

Jours de Fête brings a breath of fresh air to the region all summer long! Twenty or so companies take to the public space to offer free, joyful artistic moments accessible to all. Theater, circus, dance, music… the eclectic program invites you to discover the richness of the region, between heritage and nature, in a different way. With family or friends, let yourself be surprised by these open-air festivities, designed to bring people together and fill them with wonder.

Every year, the Musicales de Normandie offer over 30 concerts in the region’s most remarkable heritage sites. Over 20 venues host exceptional concerts throughout the summer in the Seine-Maritime and Eure regions. Today, the festival is a benchmark where you can hear both the greatest artists on the international scene and the finest newcomers. In short, a rich and varied program of excellence, featuring classical and world music, from recital to full orchestra!

The Cavaillé-Coll Organ Festival invites you on a unique musical journey to the heart of Rouen’s heritage. Through concerts, musical tours and exhibitions, it highlights the masterpieces of the famous 19th-century organ builder, present in some 15 churches across the metropolis. From Bonsecours to Saint-Ouen, each instrument recounts the evolution of exceptional craftsmanship, combining technique, emotion and aesthetics.

Rouen à Table! is a major event for gourmets right in the heart of the city! A host of gourmet events take to the streets of Rouen for several days, celebrating local flavors and the pleasure of togetherness. Restaurateurs, producers, artisans and chefs join forces to bring you the best of Normandy’s terroir, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Every last weekend in September, comic book fans gather in Darnétal. Normandiebulle celebrates the 9th Art with a rich program of book signings, exhibitions, conferences, round tables, shows… The festival affirms its commitment to comics in all their forms! Each year, a guest of honor sets the tone with a theme, and it’s with a tenfold desire that exchanges, sharing and laughter bring together authors and visitors. It’s a great opportunity to share ideas and discover the fascinating world of comics!

The Zigzag festival is an invitation to explore the constantly evolving Seine Valley in a different way. Through visits, hikes, art installations and convivial moments around a table, it offers a sensitive approach to architecture, landscape and ways of living. By shifting the gaze and arousing curiosity, Zigzag invites everyone to question and appropriate their environment. A festival to see, feel and think about our living spaces in a new light.

This is England is much more than a festival of short films: it’s a concentrate of boldness, creativity and diversity, straight from the UK. Far from clichés and standardized formats, the program gives pride of place to singular narratives, multiple voices and sharp looks at our world. Screenings, meetings with the film teams, passionate exchanges… everything is brought together for a rich and committed cinematic experience. A breath of fresh air for curious filmgoers in search of discovery and raw emotion.