Andouillette Festival in Arras, North France, August 26th

This is France, so of course there are food festivals all over the country. But one of the most entertaining is La fête de l'andouillette (andouillette festival) on August 26^th in Arras.

Now Arras, with its network of underground quarries that were used during World War I for the Wellington Quarries, might seem more like a piece of Gruyere than a stuffed sausage. But it's very proud of its regal andouillette, an acquired taste. It's kind of gutsy (well it is made of chitterlings or intestines), pork or veal, onions, wine pepper and seasonings. It's actually associated with Troyes rather than Arras, but the French don't let that sort of thing spoil a good festival.

The celebrations, from 10am to 10pm, are in the main square where you can taste the delicacy and watch a festival that takes in parodies of the royal court and street theater, and buy from the many stalls at the street market. There's a concert at 12.30pm and a special ceremony of master andouillette makers at 2pm.