Events in France, Italy and 
throughout Western Europe for
May - 2009

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Bonjour, Bienvenue!  We are Your French Connexion - your personal travel consultants for European travel.  To enhance and inspire your travel plans we want to share with you major events in France, Italy and throughout Europe.

Interested in other events or experiences?  Let us know, we'll be happy to research them for you.

Note: France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, UK-

MAY First - CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY!

Paris, France

Paris Opéra Bastille  Macbeth, Un bal masqué, L’Affaire Makropoulos, Tosca.   Operas rotate during the week. 

Palais Garnier: Onéguine, Emanuel Gat / Nacho Duato / Angelin Preljocaj, Proust ou les intermittences du cœur.  Ballets are different week by week and some rotate the last week of the month.  

Email Us  or call 206 363 6575 
to book opera and ballet tickets for your trip

Musée d'Orsay: 
Orsay Museum  1, rue de la Ligion d'Honneur, 75007 Metro: Musie d'Orsay www.musee-orsay.fr/

Leaving Rodin behind: Sculpture in Paris between 1905 and 1914. As the 20th century dawned, Rodin reigned supreme in the world of sculpture. In France and elsewhere, new generations were seeking to free themselves from his influence.This exhibition, featuring creative artists from all over Europe.
March 10, 2009 - May 31, 2009

Voyage à Giverny - de Claude Monet à Joan Mitchell - Feb 14 - May 11, 2008.  Musee Marmottan - Monet - Passy/Bois de Boulogne, Paris. Nice La Fête des Mai This traditional family fête is held on all Sundays and holidays in May. Music, picnics and folk dancing brighten up the gardens and the Amphitheatre of Cimiez. Trimed Regattas (Port, Baie des Anges) French Riviera International Film Festival in Cannes - May 13-24, 2009 Monaco Grand Prix (Formula 1) Fun for Kids and Children of All Ages Please ask us for more ideas to bring Europe alive for children Grand Paradiso National Park, Italy Walking hut to hut while viewing magnificent mountains and an abundance of wildlife is one of the quintessential European outdoor experiences. About 1.5 hours from airports in Milan or Geneva, Grand Paradiso was Europe's first National Park, and was originally the private hunting reserve of the ruling House of Savoy. In 1856 King Vittorio Emmanuel II declared part of the hunting grounds as a protected area—primarily to help save the indigenous ibex. About 3,000 of these powerful mountain goats now live in the park, along with ermine, weasel, Eurasian badger, alpine chamois, and more than 100 bird species. There are about 450 miles of trails lined with family-friendly huts. Today the park covers 173,000 acres of mountains, lakes, forests, and meadows, and butts up against France's 200-square-mile Vanoise National Park. Villa Borghese Park, Rome This 148-acre park is the second largest in Rome, and one of the few green spaces easily accessible from the city center. Filled with statues and fountains, the park also includes a merry-go-round, a mini train, a zoo, a puppet theatre, and a small lake with swans and boats. Lake District in England - At the World of Beatrix Potter, enter into the imagination of the stories and characters. After a short movie about Beatrix Potter and her creations, including the inspiration for the drawings from which her stories began, you follow an indoor trail of scenes and life-sized figures of the animal characters of the Beatrix Potter books, allowing kids a journey through Mr. McGregor’s Garden, Mrs. Tiggywinkle’s Kitchen and Jemima Puddleduck’s streamland woods. The exhibits also include an interactive virtual walk through the "Miss Potter" movie scenes and the Lake District. Have a cup of tea in the Tailor of Glouster Tea Room, buy some collectibles in the shop, then head out into the real land of Beatrix Potter, the Lake District. La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie - Paris The immense science and modern technology museum has special sections for children called La Cite des Enfants and Techno Cite. There's also an aquarium, a submarine, and a planetarium. The adjacent park (La Villette) has one of the most successful playgrounds in Paris. Luxembourg Gardens- Paris The Luxembourg Gardens is the largest park in the city. It is also jam packed with activities for kids. There are daily marionette shows (schedules change frequently, but mostly in the afternoons on weekdays). A classic carousel. A pond where you can float a rented toy boat. Pony rides. Barging in the South of France - Always a great Family Vacation. The Isle of Birds - Situated in the heart of the Essonne on the outskirts of Paris, the Ile aux oiseaux (The Isle of Birds) is a beautifully wild, unspoiled garden that provides a natural habitat for a wide range of animals and plants.  The park is open all year-long, and when the weather gets cold visitors can go to the various indoor areas.  http://www.ileauxoiseaux.fr Paris Sewer Tour Older kids (those in the "gross is good stage") might enjoy a tour of the Paris sewage system where they can see (and smell) what happens to refuse in the "City of Light." It is a fascinating process, and the Paris Sewer Museum takes you through 500 yards of the city's 1300-plus miles of sewers. This tour is not suitable for young children who might have difficulty keeping their hands to themselves. Valencia - Spain: L'Oceanográfico, Europe’s largest aquarium, is only part of the brilliant complex of science parks and museums. Mangrove swamps to the igloo-shaped Arctic exhibits and Mediterranean sea life to the movie-star dolphin, Flipper, if it’s wet, the kids can learn about it here. Montjuic - Barcelona Spain - Monjuic mountain is best described as a weekend playspace for Barcelona families. There are gondolas, the Magic Fountains, Museums, a swimming pool, a castle (Castle of Montjuic) and fantastic playgrounds. Museau de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum), Barcelona The chocolate museum tells the history of chocolate and has lots of interesting chocolate sculpture to look at. Kids of chocolate eating age will find it interesting. and they'll certainly enjoy the cafe and chocolate shop. They also have kids chocolate making classes on weekends. More Events throughout Europe Austria in 2009 Linz, Austria - European Capital of Culture 2009 No other Austrian city has changed as dramatically as Linz has in recent decades. What's emerged is a modern urban centre with a flourishing economy, a city where the quality of life is exceptional. In 2009, a trip to Linz will be especially rewarding because the city on the Danube will be serving as European Capital of Culture and showing off what makes this such a special place. Monaco Grand Prix - May 21-24, 2009 - Monte Carlo, Monaco Italy in May Italian Opera:  We can provide tickets for clients for operas in Roma, Milan, Bologna and other cities for January to May opera houses and in summer for outdoor operas. Venetian Fortifications Open Day The numerous fascinating 16th and 17th-century fortifications around Venice are open to the public on the first Sunday of every month. International Horse Show - Rome - May 2009 The International Horse Show at Piazza di Siena is still one of the most important and exciting events of its kind in the field of equestrian sports, and a must for Romans and visitors alike. Held on Piazza di Siena, in Villa Borghese. Show jumping is the only sport hosted in this beautiful public park in the heart of Rome. Switzerland in May   Bern Jazz Festival World-class live jazz can be heard in Bern thanks to the International Jazz Festival. The first festival took place in 1976, and it has been thrilling jazz fans every year since. The Bern International Jazz Festival will take place from 08 March until 25 May, 2009. Swiss National Circus Knie - Zurich - April-May 2009 On its tour throughout Switzerland, Swiss National Circus Knie comes to Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich. Animals, clowns, comedians, artists, the famous elephant and horse acts and an unusual seal show make this an irresistible attraction for kids and grown-ups alike.

Germany in May

Carnival of Cultures - May in Berlin
In celebration of the cultural and ethnic diversity found in the German Capital, the 15th Carnival of Cultures features a colorful parade with over 100 groups, 4,000 dancers, singers and musicians from more than 80 nations.

Spain in May

April Fair, Sevilla - April 28- Mar 3, 2009
THE big fiesta in Sevilla.

Spanish Grand Prix (F1), Barcelona - May 10, 2009
Always one of the most exciting events on the grand prix calendar. Will Spanish hero Alonso fight back? Who will he be driving for?

International Boat Show, Palma de Mallorca - April-May, 2009
Unmissable event for yachting and power-boat enthusiasts.

Feria de Caballo, Jerez - April - May 4, 2009
Horse Fair in Spain's horse breeding capital.

UK in May

Homecoming Scotland 2009 will celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world with a year-long, country-wide programme of exciting and inspirational events and activities.

The festivities will kick off on January 25th, the 250th birthday of one of Scotland's most famous sons, our national poet, Robert Burns and until St Andrew's Day (November 30th) you'll be spoilt for choice with a fantastic array of things to see and do.  Calendar.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival - 1st - 10th May 2009 - Speyside, Northeast Scotland - 10th Anniversary
Celebrate whisky, music, food and fun at the biggest ever Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Enjoy 10 days of unique events throughout Speyside's stunning scenery which will entertain and enthral whisky lovers, friends and family from around the world. Don't miss the Festival's Speyside Salute - a dramatic musical celebration of Speyside's heritage and traditions

Arran Wildlife Festival - May 2009 - Isle of Arran
Arran and its surrounding waters are home to some of Scotland's most iconic wildlife; from golden eagles and red deer to basking sharks and dolphins, all only two hours from Glasgow. In eight days packed with events, the Arran Wildlife Festival will bring you closer to some of these amazing creatures and fabulous scenery.

The Holker Festival, a Celebration of Garden, Countryside and Food
May 29-31, 2009  - In the beautiful surroundings of Lord and Lady Cavendish’s stunning gardens on the edge of the Lake District, this is one of the region’s most popular annual events. Horticultural exhibits, feature gardens and designers will be on hand to impart their wisdom.   Extensive entertainment. Lake District,  England.

London Theatre

For best accommodations, contact us right away!
Email Us  or call 206 363 6575

These are but a very small sampling of events for kids of all ages from 8 to 80. Please contact us for your favorite cultural, sport, interest or activity. 

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