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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.

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.

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.

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.

In late June/early July every four or five years, Rouen hosts a fleet of tall ships and battleships from across the globe. The city and its environs buzz with festivities and fireworks displays for eight lively days and nights, culminating in a colourful parade of boats down the Seine. The most recent Armada took place in 2003.

A crossing of the sands from Genêts to Mont-St-Michel every July perpetuates the tradition of the great pilgrimages of the Middle Ages. It attracts about 1,500 “pilgrims”.

This major event in the equestrian calendar takes place over one week in August, and includes auctions of horses, ponies and donkeys, as well as numerous competitions; the showjumping and obstacle courses are among the favourites. Spectators will see all sorts of different breeds, from sporting to cart horses.

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.

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.

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.