Get your geek on by driving to the best gaming and comic book events in Europe.
Do you enjoy playing computer games? Are you keeping your love of reading comic books a secret? Don’t worry, it’s OK to admit it! Whether you’re a big fan of ‘chillaxing’ by playing your PlayStation or Xbox, or whether you’re a fully-grown adult who just can’t kick the habit of collecting Marvel Comics, let us guide you through some of Europe’s most exciting video games and comic book events guaranteed to bring out the geek in you!
Bring your ‘A’ game to Paris Games Week
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Two gamers battling it out on the newest releases at Paris Games Week © Flickr user Sergey Galyonkin
Paris Games Week (PGW) is one of the biggest gaming industry events in Europe, a trade fair for video games in France’s capital city jam-packed with all the latest announcements from the likes of Sega, Nintendo, Xbox One, Ubisoft and, of course, PlayStation. Held in the Paris expo Porte de Versailles in late October, Paris Games Week is a mecca for computer games enthusiasts both old and young, with lots of interactive opportunities to play video games with like-minded gamers and giving you a sneak peek into all the upcoming games.
You certainly won’t be alone – even Europe’s most notable gaming news journalists and bloggers flock to the Paris exhibition to watch Sony’s conference speech as they reveal their newest slate of forthcoming releases for PlayStation 4. With every passing year, the media buzz around Paris Games Week simply grows and grows, so it’s a truly unmissable event if you’ve got a keen interest in gaming. Personally, I recommend the retro games area – take it from me, there’s no greater joy than playing Pac-Man on a ‘vintage’ arcade machine!
Find out more about getting tickets for Paris Games Week here and if you travel with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, you can drive from Calais to the Paris exhibition in under 3 hrs 30 mins. Everyone's a winner!
Go Paris Games Week with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Go cosplaying as comic book characters in Belgium
If you thought Comic Con was only popular in America, think again. Belgium is home to a number of fantastic comic conventions, all of which are more than happy to welcome proud geeks and gadget collectors alike! At ComicCon Brussels, you will find lots of comics, manga and toy-related merchandise to browse and nobody bats an eye-lid if guests are dressed as their favourite comic book heroes! Fancy dress is not just accepted, it's encouraged!
Held in March in the heart of Belgium, ComicCon Brussels is perfect if you have an obsession for binge-watching movies and TV shows, so you’ll find be left boggle-eyed by some of the famous guests they invite. Worried you can’t make it? Don’t worry, Belgium also plays host to FACT at Flanders Expo every October – a comics, sci fi and anime festival in Ghent. Also, MCM Belgium Comic Con each November (also in Brussels) is worth a shout-out, so you’re bound to find somewhere which will greet cosplayers with open arms. So what are you waiting for, superhero fans? Assemble!
By travelling with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, you can drive from Calais to Brussels in under 2 hrs 30 mins – don’t forget your batmobile! Tickets for ComicCon Brussels usually go on sale in October so be sure to visit their official website here for more information.
Hunt for rare comic books at Quai Des Bulles Festival
Expert comic fans should head to Quai des Bulles, France. © Cote-a-cas éditions www.cac3d.com
Looking for obscure finds to add to your comic book collection? You could always head to Saint-Malo in Britanny for Quai Des Bulles in late October, a spectacular festival of comics where French cartoons are celebrated and comic book artists can show off their talents. Whether you’re an aspiring comic book creator or just someone who has a fond appreciation for graphic novels, the shelves at Quai Des Bulles Festival are bursting with a huge wealth of comic book art to explore. We doubt you’ll ever want to leave!
Feeling inspired to visit one of these geek-tastic events?
With Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, your trip from Folkestone to Calais takes just 35 minutes. Put down your PS4 controller and start your road trip!