Paris International Agricultural Show

Yes, I've been a few times starting in the 1970s. It is a hoot, can be crowded, so I'd avoid the weekends, but you'll see a wonderful slice of all of France. Everyone drives up to Paris from everywhere with their local products, livestock, like a state fair. By products I mean hams, cheeses, wines, cognacs, pastries, breads etc. all for sample and sale. In the old days, the samples were freely given, but today it's so well attended that samples don't flow as freely; you have to pay for some. There are five different large buildings at the Porte de Versaille convention center, so I think you'd want to avoid the snow blower and double-paned window exhibits and get to the food, livestock exhibits in different buildings. You'll see the different breeds of cows famous in the different regions, chickens, rabbits, puppies, etc. all inside, not outside, the large convention hall. (Sweepers clean everything up immediately, since it is inside.)
Finally, different regions set up restaurants inside the food building serving their local cuisines: Corsican, Basque, Alsatian, Brittany, Auvergne, etc..

I believe the American forms ask if you have been on a farm, not if you have touched the animals. Anyway, as you know, you wouldn't be touching them. Could you imagine if all the Salon-goers started touching these animals. It's stressful enough for them to spend a week in Paris.

@George - I've answered that question with a 'yes' several times when returning from trips (I am honest about such things) and it's never been an issue. When returning from NZ they did ask about it so I had to explain where we had been (a sheep station near Queensland and we hiked through a farmer's pastures once to see a lighthouse on the coast), he just waved me through. I do remember once we had to step on some kind of pad to check out shoes but I think that was leaving England or Ireland during the mad cow thing, not when coming back to US. I think it's pretty much a non-issue unless you were working on a farm or something. I think most people probably just answer 'no' to the question since the passport checkers would have no way of knowing.

Thanks much for your review, Bets--I think I'll head in that direction and try to take part of it in. There are certain things that I'd like to see and if I'm there at opening should be ok. It'll be hard for me to not spend a whole day there, but with just 5 days in Paris, I need to plan carefully. And George, I think I've visited a farm just about every time I've been out of the US and understand biosecurity. I always clean my shoes well after visiting a farm -- and just one time they insisted on putting the soles through a disinfecting wipe. Otherwise, no problems. Thanks for pointing that out! :)

In Feb, 2013, I went to this show at the Porte de Versailles exhibition grounds. Bets gave an excellent description. I also attended SIMA (Salon Internationale de Machinisme Agricole) at Porte de Villete, a huge indoor farm machinery show that's held every two years. Both these shows have websites where you can sign up, and they reply with a printable free pass for international visitors. Don't miss it! Regarding the "contact with animals" question when you re-enter the US, no big deal. Clean the poop off your shoes before you leave. USDA inspectors at airports will probably check them, and may dunk them in a disinfectant solution. Normal precaution.

Just wanted to post that I DID attend this show on Saturday -- and if this is an area of interest for folks and they happen to be in town -- in 2015 -- I'd highly recommend it. Great thing about it was the opportunity to sample just about any cheese, wine, sausage, and many other food products from every region of France -- and VISIT with so many people . . . it was kind of like getting to visit other regions of France even though it was just one day in Paris. This was my 2nd day in Paris -- and I loved using my rudimentary French with others' English to visit about agriculture/farming, etc. Did I mention we raise dairy goats, I make cheese, so had lots of fun visiting with those folks. There is no way you can see this entire show in one day, but it was well worth it for me. Others might think -- oh, you could have gone to Museum X, Y and Z -- but I love to visit with locals and this was a wonderful opportunity. (Oh yes, I did bring my credentials and received complimentary/professional admission, just a bonus.) Thanks to those who gave me the thumbs-up to attend.

Ruthie should be the principal speaker at next year's Helpline Convention.
Well done!

There's an interesting post by David Lebovitz about the show, looks like fun!

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2014/03/salon-de-lagriculture/