Lisieux

The Lisieux Blues Festival does not confine itself to any one particular style, or indeed to the limits of this city. Large areas of Lower Normandy are embraced, and you could find anything from big band blues playing in Argentan, to chilled out quartets performing in Honfleur. There is even a gospel evening held in the highly atmospheric surroundings of Lisieux's cathedral, while the whole event cumulates with a series of jazz nights in the city's Parc des Expositions.

Granville

The Mardi Gras held in this charming fishing port has been taking place since 1872, when it was little more than a feast prepared for fishermen before they set out on often treacherous seas. Many festivities have evolved since then, and these days you can expect lots of processions and floats, all night partying, and up to thirty thousand people joining in the fun - all of which make it the region's largest carnival. The event kicks off on the first Sunday of every February, and culminates with a day of 'intrigue' when the townspeople (usually around 15,000 of them) all don masks in order to surprise each other - in the nicest possible way of course.

Bayeux

Bayeux may be justifiably famous for its magnificent tapestry, but this is far from being the only great show in town. The Bayeux Medieval Festival, which has been running for 18 years and is held over two days at the beginning of every July, spares no effort in providing a colourful and compelling insight into life during the Middle Ages. Jesters, knights on horseback, and fair damsels (distressed and otherwise) freely roam the cobbled streets of town. Everywhere is transformed to give an absolutely authentic feel, nowhere more so than in the Place du Gaulle where an entire medieval village is reconstructed. Many aspects of the festival are pure fun, but this is where the sights, smells and sheer hardship of the era are genuinely brought home to you.

Deauville

A swish and glamorous resort in its own right, Deauville was a natural choice to host a film festival that the founders hoped would eventually rival Cannes. Now in its tenth year, the resort's American Film Festival can today claim to have gone a long way towards achieving that ambition. For ten days in early September, the name Deauville is being entered into more and more Hollywood star diaries. But there still remains one major point of difference with that celebrated bash on the Riviera - at Deauville there is public admittance to the vast majority of previews. So keep your eyes open. You never know who may be sitting close.

Trouville

Trouville may be a highly popular holiday resort, but it is also very much a working fishing port particularly renowned for the quality of its mackerel. On the last weekend of every July the town pays homage to its fisherman and gives thanks for their catches with a sea festival known locally as the Fête de la Mer et du Maquereau. The first day is given over largely to wining and dining on a variety of mackerel dishes, accompanied by much singing of traditional sea shanties. On the second day a morning mass is held for those who have perished at sea, after which visitors are invited to enjoy tours of the bay on board fishing boats festooned with flowers to mark the occasion.

Caen

Most definitely one of Normandy's top sailing events, the Figaro Regatta presents skippers with a truly awesome set of challenges. Over the course of nine days they are asked to cover an amazing 1476 miles, during which time their navigation and strategic skills - not to mention endurance - are tested to the limit. Thousands of spectators turn up for this event, and when they are not watching the seafaring action there are firework displays and a funfair to keep everyone entertained.

Still on the theme of funfairs, more than 130 rides and entertainment stalls all come together every Easter in Caen's Parc des Expositions, making this the biggest fair of its kind in Normandy.

Cabourg

The four-day Romantic Film Festival held here each year in mid-June has one very appealing difference - it is held under the stars on the resort's scenic beachfront. Instead of the back row of the stalls, all you romantics can watch a selection of slushy specials and tear jerking classics from the comfort of your own beach towel on the sand, or if you prefer, a chaise longue on the promenade. Anyone who thinks that true romance no longer exists obviously hasn't been here during the twenty years that the festival has been running.

Orne

For twenty plus years the department of Orne has been staging an annual festival of classical and traditional Spanish music, with a series of concerts being performed in a wide variety of locations throughout the three week period up to mid September. Featured performers are unfailingly a good mix of established names and promising young talent, while venues will vary from traditional concert halls to Gothic churches and historic chateaux set deep in the glorious countryside. If you are a classical fan, taking in as many of these differing venues as possible means that you will enjoy a truly unforgettable musical journey.