Maine-et-Loire has many shows, festivals, concerts, etc., so come and check our cultural and sports diary regularly.

Below is a selection of the main events throughout the year, since there is year-long entertainment in Anjou!

JANUARY

• “Premiers Plans” Festival in Angers: European Young Cinema Festival.

FEBRUARY

• Industrial Tourism Week: the companies of Anjou open their doors to the general public.

MARCH to OCTOBER

• “Les Rendez-vous horticoles” (horticultural meetings): discover Anjou’s horticulture in the areas of Angers, Saumur and Cholet.

MARCH to AUGUST

• When Night Falls - Château du Plessis-Macé
  Special tours sharing the history of the finest examples of Angevin châteaux, during which you will encounter fine ladies and noble lords, but also legendary characters and dark individuals.

APRIL

• Cholet Carnival: for 3 days, it is carnival-time in Cholet much to everyone’s pleasure, especially children.

MAY

• Cruising down the Loire in Song: from Saumur to Nantes, enjoy a taste of the past with markets, exhibitions and traditional boats.
• Salt Shipments on the Loire: from Guérande to Saumur, follow the old river boatmen paths.

JUNE

• Cycling festival in Anjou: The Loire offers 170 kilometres on both its banks to cyclists for a magnificent day of cycling.
• The International Festival of Giants and Masks (every second year) : for a whole week, Saumur celebrates the masks that are made here and for which it has become famous.
• Military Music Festival (every second year): An army atmosphere takes over
• Saumur: uniforms, brass instruments and marches all follow the music.
• The Oriental Festival: Saint-Florent-le-Vieil hosts a traditional oriental music festival.

JUNE and JULY

• Anjou Festival: Every year, the exceptional setting of the Plessis-Macé château (and a few other historical buildings) is the backdrop for a dozen open-air performances at night. The atmosphere is unforgettable.
• 2nd Five-year Maulévrier Floral Writing Show - 16 to 26 July 2009: Their sheet of paper is the largest Japanese garden in Europe. In the role of the author, are the French and Japanese teaching profession. Their pen and ink take on the transient form of  plants.
• Two midsummer nights' dreams: 1st Summer Festival of the Cadre Noir in Saumur - 11 and 12 July 2009 : For one hour, the riders from the Cadre Noir show a series of curvets, croupades and other caprioles, all to an elegant choreography.

JULY-AUGUST

• Rose week: a very famous floral exhibition that takes place in Doué-la-Fontaine.
• Saumur Carrousel: two shows worth seeing; the equestrian events of the Cadre Noir and a display of armoured vehicles and cars
• Hemp festival: Montjean-sur-Loire revives the hemp tradition: agricultural work and markets.
• Imaginary Encounters: You will be carried away by the nocturnal music and a theatrical event at the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud.
• Nocturnal visit to the Troglodyte caves: In the “Cathedral” caves of Perrières a mysterious atmosphere in the depths of Doué-la-Fontaine.
• If the story of Brézé was told to me - Château de Brézé: By lamplight, discover the life of the Princess of Condé, the servants or even the marquis of Dreux-Brézé.
• Evenings at the Collegiate Church - Saint-Martin Collegiate Church in Angers. Discover one of the finest remains of the Carolingian era in France in the centre of the city.
• Saumnambules – Saumur : An unusual walk through the historical quarters of Saumur; a waking dream.

SEPTEMBER

• “Les Accroche-Cœurs”: for 3 days, the city of Angers is filled with festivals and street shows.
• National Bonzaï and Japanese floral art show: The Oriental Park of Maulévrier will carry you to the Far East for a real change of scene and teach you the art of creating bonzaïs and Japanese floral art.

OCTOBER

• “Mondial du Lion” (Lion World Championships): every year, the national studs of Isle Briand, located at Lion-d’Angers is host to a great number of riders of who come to take part in an renowned international young horse event.
• The Hortomnales: Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne is the scene of an important event, the theme of which is cucurbitaceae.

NOVEMBER

• International Scoop and Journalism Festival: this festival rewards the best journalism (photo, video and press) of the year.

DECEMBER

• Christmas markets: Several towns in the département celebrate Christmas with chalets and shops selling arts and crafts.