With over 1,100 stands and 4,600 animals to see, this event can be pretty daunting, but the 49th edition of the agriculture show does its best to make visiting more manageable by organising itself into four themes, and proposing eight different routes to see the things that will interest you most…

It’s easy to get lost at the Salon de l’Agriculture, as it fills almost all the halls of Paris’ giant exhibition space, the Porte de Versailles, but with these four main zones, perhaps you’ll find your way more easily:

– Animals – everything, from livestock to cats and dogs

– Gastronomy in France and abroad – everyone knows that you can eat and drink cheaply (and most of the time for free) at the Agriculture Show. In fact, people often come with their shopping trolleys! There ar also lock-up boxes where you can store your goodies while diving back in to get more!

– Crops and plant sectors – a “Natural fashion and beauty” village, events, workshops…

– Services and trades – discover the different jobs in the sector, the training on offer… learn all about an industry that has plenty of jobs on offer!

The eight proposed visit itineraries seem quite fun too, with New and unusual flavours pour essayer des goûts inédits, and – thank goodness – an express visit for those of us who don’t have time to dilly-dally!

You can also learn how to drive a tractor, attend the animal parade on 3rd March, and of course eat, drink, eat, drink, eta and drink to your heart’s content (in not your stomach’s)… Look how it all went down last year!

The 2012 Paris Agriculture Show is at the Porte de Versailles (here) from 25th February – 4th March 2012

Opene every day from 9am – 7pm (11pm Friday 3rd March 2012. Last ticket 10.30pm)

Admission: 12€ / 6€ (6 – 12 year-olds) / free (for children under 6 years old)

Official site in English: www.salon-agriculture.com

Facebook page (in French): hereFrench-speakers can consult the press release below. Click the first button bottom right beneath the image (to go into fullscreen mode), or simply click here.