Festival International de Cerf-Volant, Dieppe, 2016

Last weekend I went to Dieppe.

For the bi-annual Festival International de Cerf-Volant. Maybe the biggest kite fete in the world.

You know how you always see those waving flags and banners in French paintings?

That's what you'll see plenty of at the kite festival. The French love their flags and banners.

It was perfect weather for kite flying. Each tent represents 35-45 of the countries taking part.

I arrived Saturday morning just a the weekly marché was getting going.

It winds through all the small streets of Dieppe, just up the Normandy coast from Etretat and Fecamp.

Of course there is Normand Neufchatel cheese in all sizes and so fresh.

Normands like their hounds big, unlike Parisians.

Inside the China tent spectacular kites.

Australian Aborigines were honored guests this year.

Sunday the grand parade starts at 10 sharp. A very lively band went all through Dieppe with all the represented countries following. The festival goes on all week. From the 10th through the 18th.

Canada too were honored this year waving their maple leafs like mad in the parade.

I was the honored guest of Sollie Kanani, who ferry boat company, DFDS runs trips between France and the UK. You can get your picture taken with their Lego boat by the way.

I saw the perfect setup for any plein aire watercolor painter for the beach including your own sea gull.

Plenty of kites are flown on the beach along with the fair grounds.

Some folks are still stitching up their kites.

Dozens of tents offered beautiful kites for sale. So tempting. Lots of kite-making demos too.

The Dieppe ladies who lunch were simply indulging in glass of wine. No fussing with strings and paper kites. They could try one of these pin-wheels. Probably more my speed too. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast! If you like this post please support it by 

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