I really don't like crowds (600,000+ visitors), but I make an exception for this fair. It really is the pride of France - even the President makes an appearance. It's basically an enormous 7 pavilion celebration of the culinary roots of France in an animal loving agricultural gastronomic smorgasbord.
Each region presents their very best: award winning livestock all dolled up, sausage and cheese stands, foie gras sorbet, wine tasting and martinique rum, leather goods, horse and donkey shampoo (I've heard it works wonders), herbs and aromats, and more and more...
I just go prepared, which means we arrive early (parking is a real adventure) tickets in hand (a nice man gave us a free invitation), snacks packed (not like there is not enough food there, but you never know what could happen!), kids rhythms are respected (napping, meals and such) and for the rest we go with the flow. Oh, and get out early - it get's really crowded!
(And when I say you never know what could happen - Our day ended at the ER at Necker Pediatric Hospital. My son twisted his finger tripping on a grate in the parking lot as we left. See! glad I had those snacks.)
For photos of our visit keep reading...
