Caen Fairground (Foire de Caen)

The Foire de Caen is the great annual fair of the Calvados capital, a mix of trade show, public exhibition and funfair that has been a fixture of the city's calendar for generations. It is held each year in the autumn, for about ten days in September, on the grounds of the Parc des Expositions, on the northern edge of Caen. The details of the programme change from year to year, so it is best to check the dates and the organisers' website before you plan a visit.

Fairs have deep roots in Normandy. In the Middle Ages, big markets and fairs were held in Caen, which was a rich trading city under the Dukes of Normandy and later the English and French kings, and the tradition of a yearly fair, when merchants and farmers came to sell and buy, continued in different forms. The modern Foire de Caen belongs to the great regional fairs of western France, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors over its run. It is both commercial and festive. A large part of the fair is devoted to exhibitors, with halls that present home improvement, furniture, kitchens, gardens, cars, and food and drink from the region, so visitors can browse, compare and buy, and taste Norman products such as cider, Calvados, cheeses like Camembert and Pont-l'Évêque, and apple tarts.

The other side of the fair is entertainment. A funfair with rides, a Ferris wheel, carousels and games of chance sets up on the grounds, with stalls selling crêpes, waffles, candy floss and grilled food, and there are concerts and shows in the evening, so the place has a lively and festive atmosphere that appeals to families. Many local people go every year as a tradition, and the fair is a good way to see the community in a relaxed mood.

The fairground is on the edge of the city, and visitors can get there by public transport and by car, with parking on the site, though it is busy at weekends. Tickets are charged at the gate, and the prices and dates are set each year.

The fair suits families, curious travellers who like local events and those who want to see a different side of Caen. Elsewhere in the city, the Château de Caen, the Abbaye aux Hommes and the Abbaye aux Dames, the Mémorial de Caen and the Musée de Normandie show the historical and cultural heritage. The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial lies a short drive away.