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Christophe Jacquet
Published on
Nov 21, 2024 at 4:52 p.m.
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During the week, yellow, blue or pink chalets reappeared in the city center of Caen (Calvados). Sign of return from the Christmas marketand for a good time. It is inaugurated this Saturday, November 23, 2024. It will be spread over more than a monthuntil Sunday December 29.
“Many more artisans” at the Caen Christmas market
Last year, there were 56 traders, almost “80%” of whom came from Normandy. This time, he must bring together “around sixty exhibitors” according to Caen Événements, which organizes the event, just after the Auto Moto show and the Puces Caennaises at the exhibition center.
A new operator for the Caen Expo Park in 2026?
For almost 6 years, the company Caen Événements, an offshoot of GL Events, has operated the exhibition center and the congress center in Caen, to hold the international fair, trade shows, etc., which attract “more than 500,000 people each year visitors. The City is bringing this management back into play, via a public service delegation, already “extended for 3 years”, following Covid-19, until December 31, 2025. The City is opening the succession without waiting. “There is reason to anticipate the future mode of management of this equipment.” The goal? “Obtain better profitability” from both spaces. Will GL Events come back?
On the menu of the Christmas market, we find a fairly wide range of gift ideas: French and foreign artisanal products (including objects from Indonesia), toys, jewelry, wooden games, Christmas decorations and accessories such as figurines, etc. .
” There is many more craftsmen“, certifies Caen Événements. “We try to favor the local, without repeating ourselves.” This is why newcomers – Aventurine Bijoux, the boutique Fallait y pense with its helmets, vests and sleeves for cycling, Le Livre des Défis seen at the last Caen International Fair – rub shoulders with quasi-regulars (Au bon miel de Normandie , Dough'it Cookies, Les écharpes de Laëtitia, etc.).
The Christmas market down to rue Bellivet
Tasting on site or to take away is not forgotten with around ten stands pancakes, Liège waffles, raclette sandwiches, pretzels…
The occupants of the chalets will be distributed between Place de la République, Boulevard Maréchal Leclerc and, new, Bellivet Streetwhose renovation was completed before the summer.
The official entrance is slightly shifted to Boulevard Leclerc, due to the ongoing demolition work of the former Pathé cinema.
A world record broken on November 30?
As in previous editions, Caen Événements wants to create “a village spirit” in the Christmas market. THE animations programmed must contribute to this.
They start from the inauguration this Saturday evening. A show that aims to be “enchanting” will be displayed in all the aisles. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., luminous stilt walkers will wander starting from rue Bellivet.
A week later, Saturday November 30, a world record, nothing less, could be broken. That of the biggest soap bubble. Already holder of the French record, with a bubble 18 meters long, the Breton company Agréabulles will attempt this performance between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the mascots (an elf and a reindeer) visible on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Santa Claus will come down on the market from Saturday December 7. He can be photographed there on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Piano and candles for children in hospital
During the Christmas market, music will also be in the spotlight on Boulevard Leclerc. Saturday December 14, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., students and teachers from the Caen Orchestra and Conservatory will come and sing Christmas carols.
Sunday December 22, same place, different atmosphere. A pianist will deliver a solo recital by candlelight. Spectators will be able to purchase and place candles around the stage. The proceeds from their sale will be donated to L'Hôpital des Nounours, an association which works for children hospitalized at the Caen University Hospital.
Practical. Caen Christmas market, open every day (except December 25) from November 23 to December 29, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Mondays from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For New Year's Eve on December 24, it closes at 4 p.m. Contact: 02 31 29 99 99.
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