Normandy concerts and fiddle workshop, December tour dates
Over the years 2020, 2021, and 2023, I travelled to Normandy, France for a short December run of concerts and a fiddle workshop. It was three days across three very different settings, and each visit reminded me how strong the appetite is in Normandy for Irish traditional music.
This post looks back on those nights and credits the people and places who made them happen. If you were there, thank you for the welcome. If you run a venue or cultural programme in Normandy and want to host a future concert or workshop, these are the contacts and locations from the earlier visits.
Dates, venues, and locations
- Friday, 20 December, Le Chat Perché, Saint-Julien-sur-Calonne
- Saturday, 21 December, Les Soeurs Pinard, Lisieux
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Sunday, 22 December, Centre équestre le Mesnil d’Argences, Argences
Workshop at 14:30, Concert at 17:00
Note: These dates appeared in different years across 2020, 2021, and 2023. The venues below were the organisers and hosts for those Normandy visits.
Le Chat Perché, Saint-Julien-sur-Calonne
Le Chat Perché was one of those venues where the room stays close to the music. It suited an acoustic set and a listening crowd, with time to talk after the tunes. I appreciate the team there for hosting the concert and taking care of the details on the night.
Venue link and contact
Website: https://www.lechatperche-pub.com
Phone: +33 7 63 31 53 48
Address
522 Chem. de l’Église, 14130 Saint-Julien-sur-Calonne, France
Les Soeurs Pinard, Lisieux
Les Soeurs Pinard in Lisieux brought a different energy. It felt like a local hub, with people ready for rhythm, melody, and a lively room. I am grateful to the organisers for programming the concert and promoting it locally.
Venue link and contact
Website: http://www.lessoeurspinard.fr
Phone: +33 2 31 61 18 49
Address
4 Av. Sainte-Thérèse, 14100 Lisieux, France
Centre équestre le Mesnil d’Argences, workshop and concert
One of the most memorable Normandy days took place at the Centre équestre le Mesnil d’Argences in Argences. We ran a fiddle workshop first, then a concert later that afternoon. It was a practical format, players could learn directly in the workshop and then hear the music in context during the concert.
Schedule used on the day
Workshop (Stage): 14:30
Concert: 17:00
Venue link and contact
Website: https://www.equitation-normandie.com
Phone: 02 31 23 97 56
Address
519 Chemin de Blamont, Le Mesnil, 14370 Argences, France
Why I am sharing this in 2026
- To credit the organisers and venues who hosted the concerts and workshop in Normandy.
- To give people who attended a clear reference point, with links to the places involved.
- To keep the connection open for future cultural programming in Normandy.