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Contemporary art and craft festival at a château near Argentan.

This fine château makes a marvellous venue for recitals by famous soloists and chamber ensembles.

The Carnaval de Granville began in the 16th century as a farewell party for local fishermen. Today, people flock from all over France to see the extravagantly decorated floats at this four-day event, which starts on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday. On the last day, family members and friends disguise themselves behind masks and surprise each other.

An extravaganza running the gamut of Norman history, with the aid of a formidable cast of 800 actors, horses and dogs.

Even though it is not quite as prestigious as Cannes or Venice, this festival dedicated to the best American movies of the year always attracts its share of Hollywood stars. Unsurprisingly, the premières are the most popular screenings. Awards are given by an all-French jury.

Local fishing boats, specially decorated for the occasion, meet in the Vieux Bassin on Whit Sunday to start their parade, which finishes with a priest’s blessing in the Seine estuary. The festival continues the next day when fishermen and sailors process with model ships to Chapelle Notre-Dame de Grâce.

For 40 years, a fair has been held in Mortagne-au-Perche halfway through Lent to celebrate the local gourmet speciality boudin noir , a long sausage made from pig’s blood, onions and pork fat. Over three days, butchers gather to sell more than 5 km (3 miles) of this delicacy. Competitions include one to find the person who can eat the most.

On the second Saturday in December, the seductive medieval town of Sées is filled with the sound of gobbling. People come from all over Orne and beyond to Normandy’s largest and most important turkey fair to preview their Christmas dinner.

The date of the first Holy Cross Fair is lost in the mists of time, but it was probably in the 11th century and supported by Benedictine monks. In the 21st century, some 400,000 people gather over three days on the second weekend in September. As well as almost 2,000 exhibitors and livestock sales, there are carnival rides and traditional spit roasts.

Jazz sous les Pommiers (Jazz under the Apple Trees) has now been running for more than 20 years, and each year it grows in size and cachet. Over one week in May, it features concerts by established artists, as well as showcasing new talent. There are also promenade concerts, free concerts, street performances and jam sessions.