ianp Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 What, or where, is the best source of information on forthcoming model railway exhibitions in France? Is there a comprehensive website somewhere? Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 You could try this for a start; FFMF is the national association, but this site is the regional one for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. http://ffmf.nord.free.fr/ There seem to be many fewer exhibitions in France, and they're quite often a mixture of various types of modelling. Having participated in several exhibitions, however, I can say that they're great fun for the exhibitors, with rather more emphasis on catering than we're used to.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Hayter Posted October 27, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 27, 2014 The railway magazines have lists of exhibitions, but none of them cover all of the events, so hardly a comprehensive list. I agree that exhibitions are less frequent and even some of the bigger events are once every 2 years rather than annual. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
45584 Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 You have just missed quite a large exhibition (October) at chatellerault organised by tgv086. There is normally a big exhibition November every two years at Orleans and similarly at Limoges in Feb. I believe they are still holding one late in the year near Paris. I believe there is quite an active group at Nancy but as regards the south of the country I cannot help. If you require more detailed information let me know and I'll have a word with the club members at Chatellerault re the latest situation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacific231G Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 You have just missed quite a large exhibition (October) at chatellerault organised by tgv086. There is normally a big exhibition November every two years at Orleans and similarly at Limoges in Feb. I believe they are still holding one late in the year near Paris. I believe there is quite an active group at Nancy but as regards the south of the country I cannot help. If you require more detailed information let me know and I'll have a word with the club members at Chatellerault re the latest situation. The Orleans show is this year and it's on the 8th & 9th of November. I went to it in 2012 and was very impressed, a lot of good modelling and plenty of very high quality layouts. http://www.amfc-orleans.fr/ It's organised by a local club Association des Modélistes Ferroviaires du Centre. The Paris show is RailExpo http://railexpo.info/ It's three days 28th-30th Nov.in a large exhibition centre in Cergy-Pontoise and organised by a group called Traverse des Secondaires who took control of the old Expometrique show from GEMME. This show and another in February seems to be their main activity. Expometrique used to be a specialist narrow gauge show a bit like ExpoNG but Rail Expo is far more generic and tends to focus more on traders than on layouts though there about two dozen layouts there this year. It is very large and a good place to meet all the tiny artisans who make specialist parts and who never seem to use the internet. I find it a bit too commercial compared with a good club show like Orleans but I might go this year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 28, 2014 You could try this for a start; FFMF is the national association, but this site is the regional one for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. http://ffmf.nord.free.fr/ There seem to be many fewer exhibitions in France, and they're quite often a mixture of various types of modelling. Having participated in several exhibitions, however, I can say that they're great fun for the exhibitors, with rather more emphasis on catering than we're used to.. Quite a few shows that I have done, all the exhibitors disappeared off for lunch at the same time, leaving the public to wander round the hall with no layouts running, other stands unmanned etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 28, 2014 The Orleans show is this year and it's on the 8th & 9th of November. I went to it in 2012 and was very impressed, a lot of good modelling and plenty of very high quality layouts. http://www.amfc-orleans.fr/ It's organised by a local club Association des Modélistes Ferroviaires du Centre. The Paris show is RailExpo http://railexpo.info/ It's three days 28th-30th Nov.in a large exhibition centre in Cergy-Pontoise and organised by a group called Traverse des Secondaires who took control of the old Expometrique show from GEMME. This show and another in February seems to be their main activity. Expometrique used to be a specialist narrow gauge show a bit like ExpoNG but Rail Expo is far more generic and tends to focus more on traders than on layouts though there about two dozen layouts there this year. It is very large and a good place to meet all the tiny artisans who make specialist parts and who never seem to use the internet. I find it a bit too commercial compared with a good club show like Orleans but I might go this year. Probably the best two shows in France although I have also heard very good reports of the show at Nancy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianp Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 Thanks for those views. I have tracked down the details of the Rail Expo in Pontoise, a suburb of North West Paris. It looks good from the various bits and bobs on the internet. Sadly, at this late stage getting there from London by Eurostar will cost about £200 for a day return journey, or will involve an overnight stay. I may plan a (cheaper) trip next year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2014 We in our club are fortunate that there is also a model railway club in our twin town in France. I have visited on three occasions with our club when they have held an exhibition. The exhibition is not organised by their model railway club but by the local municipality and it includes such things as craft fairs and vintage vehicle displays, the model railway club is one of many local organisations invited to participate. As was said above, the catering was superb and everything stops for about two hours for lunch. The town (Meux) is very close to Eurodisney and the show is on in early November. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Hayter Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) quote name="45584" post="1641056" timestamp="1414453607"] .... but as regards the south of the country I cannot help. ModelRail (St Etienne) was earlier in the year and Montelirail (Montelimar) was the weekend before last - so that's it in the South East for 18 months. :-( (There will of course be small local shows). The Paris show is really the one to go for if you can only make one show, but it does get crowded - at least by French standards. For the East of the country, Souffleweyersheim (Strasbourg) is highly recommended - but again bi-annual although they do hold an intermediate "swap meet" type event. Edited October 28, 2014 by Andy Hayter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianp Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 That is more very useful information - thank you. I see there is a biennial exhibition in Lille, but the next one is in 2016. Are there any other big shows located between Paris and Calais? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 28, 2014 That is more very useful information - thank you. I see there is a biennial exhibition in Lille, but the next one is in 2016. Are there any other big shows located between Paris and Calais? Boulogne and Dunkerque both have active clubs. But I don't know about exhibitions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 28, 2014 Thanks for those views. I have tracked down the details of the Rail Expo in Pontoise, a suburb of North West Paris. It looks good from the various bits and bobs on the internet. Sadly, at this late stage getting there from London by Eurostar will cost about £200 for a day return journey, or will involve an overnight stay. I may plan a (cheaper) trip next year. Cergy-Pontoise is not that far from Beauvais which is Ryanair's "Paris" (typically remote!). So you may be able to get a cheap flight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Boulogne and Dunkerque both have active clubs. But I don't know about exhibitions. You've just missed the one at Coudkerque, outside Dunkerque. This site, which is mainly dedicated to photographs of current activity around Calais/ Dunkerque/Hazebrouck, usually has publicity for local shows, and photos of some of them:- http://lapassiondutrain.blogspot.com.au/ One curious feature of French shows (at least the non-national ones) is that the doors don't open to the general public until after lunch on the Saturday; Saturday morning sees a formal visit by the local mayor and other dignitaries, followed by groups of schoolchildren 'en-crocodile'. Once they've gone, doors close, and a full lunch (with wine) is taken; none of the 'here's a voucher for a pie and a cup of tea' so prevalent in the UK. In the evening, there's another meal, usually even better irrigated... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 28, 2014 Quite a few shows that I have done, all the exhibitors disappeared off for lunch at the same time, leaving the public to wander round the hall with no layouts running, other stands unmanned etc. Just like a lot of French shops, and even some restaurants Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Just like a lot of French shops, and even some restaurants The exhibitions I attended shut for lunch, and doors were locked. However, I do remember being at an exhibition at Orpington, where the French club exhibiting a lovely model of Calais Maritime all disappeared at 12:00 for an hour or so... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Hayter Posted October 28, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2014 One curious feature of French shows (at least the non-national ones) is that the doors don't open to the general public until after lunch on the Saturday; ... That may be so for some but not in Rhone Alpes. Both Modelrail and Montelirail opened at 10am and both stayed open (at least as far as the doors are concerned) at lunchtime. I do however accept (as do most French)that lunch means dramatically reduced service at stands and on layouts. The good news hoever, is that if you are driving to the exhibition, this is the time to find parking spaces within 1km of the exhibition hall. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 A 'local' (Nord- Pas de Calais) exhibition:- 8th (14:00-18:00)/9th (10:00-18:00) at Roclincourt, near Arras Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matabiau Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 That may be so for some but not in Rhone Alpes. Both Modelrail and Montelirail opened at 10am and both stayed open (at least as far as the doors are concerned) at lunchtime. I do however accept (as do most French)that lunch means dramatically reduced service at stands and on layouts. The good news hoever, is that if you are driving to the exhibition, this is the time to find parking spaces within 1km of the exhibition hall. Why would you expect anyone to be playing trains between noon and 2pm? Any sensible frenchman, exhibitor and visitor alike, would be enjoying his lunch at this time (and with good reason!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Hayter Posted October 30, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 30, 2014 Actually I thought I had made that clear with the comment in brackets. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matabiau Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 If I were you I should find out where they have lunch and join them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I've been to an exhibition near Colmar when we happened to be on holiday in the area (family who live there spotted it and thought I might like to go) which was very good. IIRC it was in conjunction with a local museum so I've no idea if it's a regular thing or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penlan Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Why would you expect anyone to be playing trains between noon and 2pm? Any sensible frenchman, exhibitor and visitor alike, would be enjoying his lunch at this time (and with good reason!). .... and in parts of France, if you have to pay for car parking, it's free between 12 and 2pm. (e.g. if you buy a 2 hour ticket at 11am, it covers you till 3pm... or it does in Brittany anyway). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 .... and in parts of France, if you have to pay for car parking, it's free between 12 and 2pm. (e.g. if you buy a 2 hour ticket at 11am, it covers you till 3pm... or it does in Brittany anyway). There are some parts of France where one never pays to park. When I suggested I needed change for parking (in far away Montpellier) I got a very strange look from my favorite fruiterie owner! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 This is my first posting here, so hello. Anyway I exhibited at RAMMA in Sedan last year. It was my first French exhibition , as an exhibitor or visitor. I had heard French exhibitions were a bit different to those in UK, but I enjoyed the experience, but next time I will pay to stop night before. I did find at one point that I was the only person operating a layout in our small area, so I went round to look at rest of layouts. My mini layout has an auto control mode so always has something running. The quality of the other layouts, in particular some of the 'challenge' layouts was superb and it did not matter that no trains were running on many. I have a house in south of France, but have noticed most of the exhibitions in France tend to be in top half of the country. I would be interested in exhibitions further south. There is a big club not far from me in France, and I will pay a visit some time. Not sure if they have an exhibition, but they do have a public open day every Sunday I think to show off their main layout. I had intended to travel up to the RAMMA exhibition from my house in France, but it was both close and easier to travel from here in Lancashire. Most of my exhibition layouts are therefore based in the UK, and suspect I won't be doing much exhibiting once I am based full time in France. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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