To the rhythm of the highlights

From 17 to 19 January, the Puces Rouennaises return to the Parc des Expositions in Rouen to delight all those who love second-hand goods. During these 3 days, wander the aisles to discover collections, objects and furniture that are antique, retro chic, vintage or unusual. On 24 January, take part in the Perche Élite Tour, a real show that combines spectacle and competition, and the athletes will thrill you! The best pole vaulters from all over the world are coming to challenge each other in exceptional conditions at the Kindarena, with the aim of beating their records and preparing for the major championships in the year ahead. For the first time in Rouen, Luminiscence, the immersive show that travels through France’s sacred monuments, will be taking on the secrets of Rouen Cathedral in a 360-degree show with live music, starting on 24 January. On 31 January and 1 February, the French Cup returns for its 30th edition. At this international synchronised figure skating competition, you’ll be able to feast your eyes on the artistic performances of a host of countries determined to qualify for the world championships.

On 8 and 9 February, the Normannia fantastic medieval fair is back, with a whole host of surprises in store for you: a gigantic medieval, fairytale and craft market with over 250 exhibitors, plus shows, concerts, battles and parades! From 5 March to 16 April, the Spring festival,the first international contemporary circus festival to cover a whole region, invites you to come and meet today’s circus for a month and a half: dance, music, theatre, visual arts… on the theme of “Being one with the world”. The Courant d’Art festival offers a dialogue between the Church and contemporary art , opening churches to a variety of works that convey meaning and hope. For its 20th edition, the works of Ivan Martel are on show at the Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, in a striking work of chiaroscuro, in a play of light and darkness. On view from 8 March to 10 April. From 12 to 20 April, take part in one of the most eagerly awaited sporting events of the year in Rouen: theCapfinances Openwomen’s tennis world cup at the Kindarena!

From 7 to 28 May, discover theCurieux Printempsfestival of live entertainment, featuring local artists in unusual locations. From 16 to 18 May, Normandy’s heritage will be decked out in its finest lights, with concerts, exhibitions and unusual walks during the Pierres en Lumières night-time weekend. The region’s funerary heritage opens its doors to the public at participating cemeteries during the national Printemps des Cimetières event. This year, the Terres de Paroles festival will be held from 17 to 24 May, opening the summer season at Jumièges Abbey! Welcome to the world of literature, presented in all its forms: authors, actors, musicians, visual artists, film-makers and a host of other artists. On the weekend of 17 and 18 May, head to Graines de Jardin, the must-attend event for green fingers at the Jardin des Plantes. From 22 to 25 May, antique dealers, second-hand goods dealers and galleries take over the streets of Rouen for the RAR Weekend, the annual rendezvous for bargain hunters and treasure hun ters! An outstanding figure in French history, Joan of Arc has become a myth that is attracting international interest. From 29 to 31 May, the Joan of Arc Festival returns for a 4th edition. Parades, medieval market, shows… take a leap back in time to the era of the troubadours. From 31 May, the inevitable Cathedral of Light illuminations show will be back , projecting onto Notre-Dame de Rouen until 27 September!

The most beautiful parks and gardens, both public and private, all over France will be opening their doors from 6 to 8 June for the Rendez-vous aux Jardins. In Normandy, there are 179 protected gardens, 40 of which have been awarded the Jardin Remarquable label, to delight nature lovers. The musical event that opens the summer season is back, so get ready to rock, dance and dream at the cultural and family festival: Rush from 5 to 14 June. Masks, fencing, acrobatics, humour, laughter, romance, song, dance and combat all come together to sweep you away in a whirlwind of pleasure and intense Italian emotions at the Commedia Dell’Arte Festival, from 23 June to 5 July. Viking Festival, on 28 and 29 June,Jumièges Abbey, a jewel of Normandy’s heritage and one of the most beautiful ruins in France, will be the setting for an immersive journey to the heart of the history of the Vikings, who left a profound mark on Normandy. On the programme: a Viking camp,behemoth combat demonstrations , interactive workshops for all ages, a medieval market featuring local craftsmen and fun activities such as axe-throwing. Visitors will also be able to watch an impressive falconry show and enjoy a festive banquet. The day will end in style with a night-time show that will bring history to life on the walls of the abbey dwelling. From 27 to 29 June, Viva Cité is one of the top 3 street arts events in France and Europe, with over 200 free performances.

Every Thursday in July, Rouen hosts the Terrasses du Jeudi, a series of free concerts in a variety of musical styles right in the heart of the city. On 7 July, sports fans and enthusiasts, particularly athletics fans, can come and support Olympic medallists and future champions at the Meeting International de Sotteville, a competition that ranks among the top 5 French athletics meetings. On Tuesday 8 July, stage 4 of the Tour de France will link Amiens to Rouen for the final stage of the race. There will be plenty of entertainment on offer as the finishing town. The summer event Rouen sur Mer will be back on the banks of the Seine, on the Left Bank quays, to the delight of Rouen residents and tourists looking for sun loungers and beach activities! To keep you entertained all summer long, the Jours de Fête festival will be back every weekend from 5 July to 24 August, with around twenty free shows across the Rouen Normandy Metropolitan Area. Les Musicales de Normandie will be back from 17 to 24 August with new concerts in some of the region’s outstanding heritage sites. Listen to classical music, world music and recitals. Once again this year, Rouen and the surrounding area are hosting the Cavaillé-Coll Organ Festival. Concerts, exhibitions, tours and masterclasses are all on offer as you discover the beauty of the organs in Rouen from 3 to 24 August. The Vibrations Festival will once again be taking over Rouen’s Jardin des Plantes from 23 to 30 August, to get families and friends swinging in a convivial atmosphere around world music, blues, jazz, live music, house and electro! The starting village for the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will once again be set up on the quays of the Seine in Rouen, offering a huge popular festival punctuated by highlights of the city’s river and maritime heritage. Don’t miss this event, which will bring the summer to a close from 30 August to 5 September!

The start of the new school year goes hand in hand with the trade and craft fair. In addition to the big street sale, the shopkeepers’ associations and the Vitrines de Rouen are organising a series of fun events in the local neighbourhoods and markets. One of the most eagerly awaited events is the traditional waitresses’ and waiters’ race on 7 September. On September 20 and 21, the Heritage Days are back with a new theme. This weekend, we invite you to discover or rediscover the establishments, monuments and sites that make up our rich heritage, many of which are exceptional and closed during the rest of the year. An opportunity not to be missed! The Seine Marathon 76 will be back on 27 and 28 September, with its 5, 10, 21 and 42 km routes through the city. Old books, trendy books, historical books and books of all kinds, the Quai des Livres is a goldmine for shopping among the hundreds of exhibitors on the quays of the Seine on the right bank. The NormandieBulle comic strip festival will welcome authors from France and all over the world for a weekend of exhibitions, shows, signings, round tables and prize-giving ceremonies.

For all you architecture fans out there, the Zigzag festival will be taking you on a tour of some twenty living spaces in Le Havre and the Yvelines, with visits, trails, walks and installations, from 27 September to 12 October. The Opéra de Rouen Normandie is taking over the square in front of Rouen Cathedral and the cinemas to broadcast a cultural masterpiece live. After Carmen and Aïda, which attracted thousands of spectators,Opéra en Direct will be devoted to Giuseppe Verdi’sLa Traviata on Saturday 04 October. The long-awaited return of gourmets, Rouen à Table! will be back from 8 to 12 October in honour of the UNESCO Creative Cities network for gastronomy, of which Rouen is a member! Enjoy unique, never-before-seen culinary experiences throughout the city of Rouen and a huge market featuring over 150 local exhibitors at the Fête du Ventre and Normandy gastronomy festivalon the weekend of 11 and 12 October! From 24 October to 23 November, the Foire Saint-Romain will be illuminated to the delight of the people of Rouen, young and old alike. Ghost trains, laughter palaces, thrill rides, grilled pigs, croustillons… a colourful event.

This is England, the British short film festival that has been a firm fixture in the lives of the people of Rouen for some years now, will be back at the Omnia République and Kinepolis Saint-Sever cinemas from 15 to 23 November. The children’s book festival will be delighting children once again from 7 to 9 November. Arts and crafts take centre stage at the end of the year! On 22 and 23 November, the Normandy Cutlery Show will be presenting all the different facets of this age-old craft. To the delight of your children, the Opéra de Rouen will be transformed into a musical adventure for a festive, family-friendly weekend on 29 and 30 November, with the Big Bang Festival. As the festive season approaches, the heart of Rouen comes alive with Rouen Givrée, from November 21 to January 4. With its Christmas and designer markets, frosty refuge, entertainment, illuminations and new features, it’s sure to be an enchanting way to spend the festive season!

With free access all year round, take a stroll through the Roumare state forest to discover the 13 works in the second edition of Forêt Monumentale, which has already attracted thousands of visitors since it opened in June 2024. On a 4km self-guided trail, discover artistic installations by designers, architects and artists from all over the world.