Cows, food tasting, sheep, wine, goats, wine, pigs, wine… and over 600,000 visitors !

photo by meuh57 used under cc licence


Yes, it’s supposed to be the occasion for us Parisian city types to get back to nature, but everyone knows that it’s the biggest free meal of the year! Eat your way around France by trying out the various specialities that will be passed your way, and test wines from all over the countries until you can’t spell Beaujolais! Some people – the wise? – even come with their very own shopping trolley to help get all their grub home safely….

However, stuffing your face is not the only thing you can do at the Salon de l’Agriculture. There’s a lot more going on like:

– 4,500 animals to be seen!
– Products for the garden, ideas and gardening advice
– Expert advice about new forms of energy and sustainable development for your house
– A huge collection of farmyard animals (geese, ducks, hens, turkeys, pigeons, rabbits…)
– late-night opening ‘party’ night (meaning “with lots of wine”) on Friday 27th February until 11pm
– A life-size working farm
– A jobcentre where you can find the job or training course that suits you
– Aquarium and wild fish rearing help. Advice about cleaning, water, plants and fish
– The pony village
– The doghouse (?) or house of dogs
– ‘Destination sheep’ (what the… ?)
– The pig village (wonderful)
– Wine-tasting
– Cheese-tasting
– Meat-tasting
– Did I say wine-tasting alreadys?

And perhapd even some inappropriate swearing from our very own president, Nicolas Sarkozy. At last year’s show, when one man said he didn’t want to shake his hand for fear of dirtying himself, the president replied “Piss of then you *****”. Very dignified I’m sure.

photo by Peep O’Daze used under cc licence

Here’s a quick map of the place…

Here’s all the essential information for the 2009Salon International de l’Agriculture in Paris

When: 21st February – 1st March 2009
Where: Paris expo, Porte de Versailles. Métro Porte de Versailles (line 12) or Balard (line 8). Bus n°s 80 & 39. Tramway T3
Opening hours: 9am – 7pm, late-night opening friday 27th February until 11pm
Admission: Adults 12 euros, kids between 6 and 12 years old 6 euros, handicapped people 6 euros, special ticket for the late night opening (valid from 7pm on 27th February) 6 euros, free for kids under 6 years old and for students.
Official site: (no English on there yet, but promised) here

Bigger map here