“La Foire,” as it is affectionately known, is the highlight of French summer festivals and takes place in the city of Colmar for the 76th year. The fair started out as a celebration and promotion of agriculture in Alsace, featuring wines, local delicacies, and even agricultural products and machinery. Its popularity has grown so much over the years, attracting over 320,000 visitors each summer, that it is now housed at the Parc des Expositions and features over 350 exhibitors over a period of 10 days.
The star of the show is of course the wine, with over 1,500 different wines to sample from the best wineries and grape varieties that the region has to offer. With exhibitors specializing in everything from household furnishings and decoration, garden and outdoor leisure, cars, motorcycles, fashion, beauty, health and wellbeing, there is something for everyone. There is also plenty of entertainment, featuring a parade of national and international artists in “la Coquille,” the on-site Hollywood Bowl-style theater that seats 10,000. Every year, the program is incredibly varied, accommodating all tastes, all ages, and all genres. Not to mention the Hard Rock Session for fans of good rock and the Nuit Blanche for insatiable electro fans! In addition, there is plenty of entertainment from high-quality dance performances, cooking shows with top chefs, children’s entertainment, as well as an Off Stage with regional artists, burlesque striptease with the Pin-Ups of Alsace, for a guaranteed crazy atmosphere in Hall 6!
The Foire aux Vins is open daily from 11:00-01:00 (with some exceptions); entry is free until 13:00, € 5.00 from 13:00--17:00, and € 8.00 after 17:00 (note that on Sundays, entrance is € 5.00 from 11:00-17:00 and € 8.00 after 17:00). Three-day, 6-day, and 10-day passes are also available. Kids under age 12 can enter for € 2.00, and parking costs an additional € 2.00.
Note: If you plan on buying some wine, keep your duty-free limits in mind: Any person age 18 and older is entitled to import 5 liters of alcoholic beverages with less than 18% alcohol by volume plus 1 liter of alcoholic beverages with more than 18% alcohol by volume per day into Switzerland. If you wish to bring more than your allowance into Switzerland, you may do so by declaring the amount and paying a duty of CHF 2 per liter (under 18%) or CHF 15 per liter (above 18%) for the total amount, not just the amount over the limit.

Website
foire-colmar.com/fr/

Where
Parc des Expositions et des Congrès de Colmar
Avenue de la Foire aux Vins
68000 Colmar
France

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