To the rhythm of the highlights

From 15 to 18 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 of antique, retro chic, vintage and unusual objects and furniture. On 14 and 15 February, the Normanniafantastic medieval fair is back, with a whole host of surprises in store: a gigantic medieval, fairy-tale and craft market with over 250 exhibitors, plus shows, concerts, battles and parades! On 7 March, come and watch 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 come to Kindarena to challenge each other in exceptional conditions, with the aim of beating their records and preparing for the major championships in the year ahead. From 9 March to 8 April, the Spring festival, the first international festival of contemporary circus on a regional scale, invites you to spend a month meeting today’s circus: dance, music, theatre, visual arts… on the theme of “Catching your breath”. This year, the Foire Internationale de Rouenwill be celebrating the 80s and 90s. In all, 42,000^m2 of shopping and leisure activities on the themes of home and garden, gastronomy, well-being, the riches of the world, crafts and much more. See you there from March 27 to April 6!

Celebrate plants as they flower in the gardens of Saint-Georges Abbey in Saint-Martin-de-Boscherville, during Jardins en Éveil. This year, the spotlight will be on plant shapes. See you on the weekend of 4 and 5 April. From 13 to 19 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! On 29 April, to mark World Dance Day, join in the Fête de la danse for a day of performances, workshops, introductions and discussions about dance and dance art.

From 9 to 30 May, discover theCurieux Printempsfestival of live entertainment, with the participation of local artists in unusual venues. From 14 to 16 May, the Fêtes Jeanne d’Arc return for a^5th edition, with parades, a medieval market and shows… take a step back in time to the era of the troubadours. This year’s festival, Terres de Paroles, will be held from 23 to 30 May and will celebrate the world of literature in all its forms. On the weekend of 23 and 24 May, head to Graines de Jardin, the must-attend event for green fingers at the Jardin des Plantes. On 23 May, take advantage of the Night of the Museums to rediscover the permanent and temporary collections of the city’s museums from an unusual and fun angle, thanks to events specially designed for the occasion. From 29 to 31 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. Antique dealers, second-hand goods dealers and galleries will be taking over the streets of Rouen for the RAR Weekend, the annual rendezvous for bargain hunters and treasure seekers! Date to come From 29 May, the Normandie Impressionniste Festival returns, one of France’s leading art festivals, celebrating one of the major currents in the history of art. Cathédrale de Lumière (Cathedral of Light) closes the month with the start of its breathtaking illuminations show on 30 May, running until 26 September!

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 4 to 13 June. The most beautiful parks and gardens, both public and private, all over France open their doors from 5 to 7 June for the Rendez-vous aux Jardins. In Normandy, there are more than 170 protected gardens, 40 of which have been awarded the Jardin Remarquable label, to delight nature lovers. 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. Upcoming dates From 26 to 28 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 6 July, sports fans and enthusiasts, particularly track and field enthusiasts, can come and support Olympic medallists and future champions at the Meeting International de Sotteville, a competition that ranks among the top 5 French track and field meetings. 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 sunbathing and beach activities! From 4 July to 2 August. To keep you entertained all summer long, the Jours de Fête festival will be back on the weekends from 4 July to 22 August, offering around twenty free shows throughout the Rouen Normandy Metropolitan Area. Les Musicales de Normandie are back in August with new concerts in some of the region’s outstanding heritage sites. Listen to classical music, world music and recitals. Upcoming dates Once again this year, Rouen and the surrounding area will be 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. Upcoming dates The Vibrations Festival will once again be taking over Rouen’s Jardin des Plantes, to get families and friends swinging in a convivial atmosphere around world music, blues, jazz, live music, house and electro! Dates to come

The start of the new school year goes hand in hand with the trade and craft fair. Not only is there the big jumble sale, but there are also a number of fun events organised by the shopkeepers’ associations and the Vitrines de Rouen in the local neighbourhoods and markets. One of the most eagerly-awaited events is the traditional waitresses’ and waiters’ race! On 19 and 20 September, 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 is THE event for sports enthusiasts, attracting an ever-growing number of runners, and will be back again this year with its different routes through the city over 5, 10, 21 and 42 km. The NormandieBulle comic strip festival will be welcoming 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 take you on a tour of some twenty living spaces in Le Havre and the Yvelines, with visits, trails, walks and installations.

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,Aïda and La Traviata , which attracted thousands of spectators,Opéra en Direct will be devoted to a work that is still a secret. Date to come It’s the long-awaited return of gourmets, Rouen à Table! will be back from 7 to 11 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 10 and 11 October! From 16 October to 15 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.

The children’s book festival is sure to delight your children! This cultural event for children invites young and old alike to enter the world of children’s literature, through meetings, workshops, exhibitions and shows. Upcoming datesThis 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. Upcoming dates Arts and crafts take centre stage at the end of the year! The Normandy Cutlery Show will be presenting the different facets of this age-old craft, as it does every year, on 21 and 22 November. The Rendez-vous à l’Atelier will plunge you into the fascinating worlds of local painters, sculptors, photographers and designers, with free visits to their sometimes unusual studios. November 28 and 29. To the delight of your children, the Opéra de Rouen will be transformed into a musical adventure for a festive, family-friendly weekend with the Big Bang Festival. Upcoming dates As the festive season approaches, the heart of Rouen comes alive with Rouen Givrée.Christmas and designer markets, a frosty refuge, entertainment, illuminations and new features… it’s all set to be an enchanting end-of-year celebration!

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.