Please select a target on the right hand side ➡
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Music
- Auvergne: If you are a music lover, Clermont-Ferrand is the place for music lovers at the end of May, when the Europavox festival comes to town to showcase Europe's emerging musicians.
- Brittany: La Route du Rock will be in St Malo in August, another fine example of the Breton craic with its eclectic line up of French and British pop. Brittany has a huge programme of music festivals and there is a shared love of music and good company.
- Burgundy: The Peplum nights is a festival of francophonic songs held every July in the beautiful town of Alésia, between Dijon and Auxerre.
- Midi-Pyrenées: The ‘Rio Loco festival’ in Toulouse is an intense 4 day event with celebrations and concerts centred around the theme of world music.
- Poitou-Charente: Soul, blues, jazz, swing and gospel… for six days and nights Cognac comes alive to the sound of the ‘Cognac Blues Passion’ festival.
- Rhône-Alpes: Held in Lyon every May, The ‘Nuits Sonores’ (Electro and Indie Music Festival) celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
- Corsica: the ‘Peplum Nights’ is a French songs festivals bringing a newcomer next to well known artists every evening. It is set in the rocks theatre on the Roman site of Alesia.
- Marseilles: Marsatac is the musical event that rocks the world each year with electro beats, rock and hip hop. There’s a new venue this year: Friche de la Belle de Mai. Last week of September.
- Riviera: Cannes is a mecca for “in” music with the Plages électroniques, the only electronic musical festival held on a public beach (July/Aug) and with the Festival Pantiero at the Terrace of the Palais des Festivals (Aug).
Food
- Dordogne Valley: An array of food celebrations are held in Dordogne such as the ‘Strawberry Fair’ in Beaulieu sur Dordogne and the ‘Prune Fair’ in Carennac…
Arts and crafts
- Dordogne: Every summer, the ‘Brive-Plage Festiv'all’ , the ‘Orchestrades Universelles of Brive’ and the ‘Mime Festival of Souillac’, are not to be missed .
- Languedoc Roussillon: The 4th edition of the festival of Crafts’ will take place in Pont de Montvert: carpenters, ironmongers, jewellers, painters will showcase their work.
- Clos Luce: "Happy birthday Leonardo": Meet us to celebrate all together Leonardo da Vinci's birthday on 15th april 2012, on Facebook and Twitter.
- Club French Heritage & Culture: At theMusée du quai Branly, in Paris, ‘Le Maître des Marionnettes’ (the puppets’ master) 10 - 25 February 2012, and ‘Transes et désordre’ how music and dance may lead to trance, 8 to 17 June 2012.
- Nantes 2012: A Journey to Nantes from 15 June to 19 August.
Sports
- Dordogne: ‘Les Montgolfiades’ held every September in Rocamadour is a hot-air balloon festival.
- Ile de Ré: Surfing, kite surfing, skateboarding and stand up paddle are celebrated every May during the ‘LG Surf and Skate Contest’.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: The ‘Utra-Trail du Mont Blanc’ is one of the toughest races in the world: 166km starting in Chamonix, 9,500 meters of positive heights gains passing through 3 countries.
- Riviera: Cannes is a mecca for “in” music with the Plages électroniques, the only electronic musical festival held on a public beach (July/Aug) and with the Festival Pantiero at the Terrace of the Palais des Festivals (Aug).
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Movie
- Auvergne: The World’s largest short-film festival is held in Clermont Ferrand, in late January, attracting masses of film buffs and professionals, to discover emerging talents.
Food
- Brittany: Enjoy 3 days of scallop-related festivities, from farmer’s markets and tastings to boat trips, with the experts at the Fete de la Coquille St Jacques in St Quay-Portieux!
- Burgundy: The Festival of the Grand Crus of Burgundy combines classical music and grand crus. Definitely not one to be missed!
- Dordogne Valley: Beaulieu on Dordogne has been staging a strawberry fair every May since 1990. Beaulieu strawberries are rightly famous for their flavour, the ‘guariguette variety’ being the star!
Music
- Dordogne Valley: About 500 young musicians share a human and musical adventure of exception at The Orchestrades Universelles in front of more than 70,000 spectators spread over 10 days. Also, every summer, the Lyrical festival of St Céré presents several operas in the Workshop's hall or out-of-doors at the Château de Castelnau. The Souillac Jazz festival and the Brive Plage ‘Festiv'all’ are not to be missed either!
- Limousin: The 'Nuits de Nacre' (nights of Mother of Pearl) accordion festival is held every in Tulle, the capital of Corrèze, famous for the production of lace, accordions and armaments.
- Marseilles: The ‘Festival de Marseille’, on June and July, has built on a multidisciplinary identity with a taste for travel, blending and sharing, hosting the biggest international choreographers. Taking place in 2012 for the 17th time!
- Midi-Pyrénées: Interpreted by both established artists and young performers, the warm sounds of the blues are at home in Cahors when the magic time of the Cahors Blues Festival comes around.
- Normandy: Set out from Saint-Vaast-le-Hougue, arrive at l’Ile Tatihou at low tide and enjoy an around the world musical tour focused on musical maritime traditions during ‘Les Traversees Tahitou’.
- Ile de Ré: "Jazz en Ré" is held in the port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré and Vauban fortifications, magnificent settings. From blues to gypsy music through the swing, it’s for everyone! (Aug12)
- Riviera: Two legendary events in Europe’s calendar of jazz take place on the French Riviera during the summer: Jazz a Juan and Jazz a Nice.
Arts and crafts
- Clos Luce: 28,29,30 September, the European Festival of Renaissance Music as a tribute to the talent for music and performance that was yet another string to Leonardo da Vinci's bow.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The 7th edition of the Pole Circus will take place all over the region with with more than 200 shows.
- Rhône-Alpes: Evian-les-Bains in collaboration with the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne offers an unprecedented foray into the world of Charlie Chaplin, through a selection of 200 outstanding works.
Sports
- Dordogne: Hot air balloons tours over the Dordogne valley, an experience everyone should try.
- Poitou-Charentes: The ‘Circuit des Remparts’ (Sept 2012) is a race of vintage and classic cars which will invade the city of Angouleme.
- Savoie Mont Banc: The Evian Masters, one of the World’s most glamorous tournaments, gathers the sport’s top female players as well as 50,000 spectators!
- Var: the selective regatta ‘ Les Voiles de Saint Tropez’ with 300 of the most beautiful sailing boats in the world and 4,500 sailors.
- Vendée: Vendée Globe Race 2012 - On Saturday 10th November 2012, the seventh edition of the Vendée Globe will depart from Les Sables d’Olonne. This supremely challenging non-stop solo circumnavigation - referred to as “the Everest of the sea” – is acknowledged to be the toughest event in ocean racing.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Food
- Dordogne Valley: An array of food celebrations are held in Dordogne such as the ‘Strawberry Fair’ in Beaulieu sur Dordogne and the ‘Prune Fair’ in Carennac…
- Ile de Ré: On the first Sunday of May, market gardeners and restaurant owners gather to celebrate the arrival of the first potatoes on the occasion of the ‘Régalades’.
Arts and crafts
- Auvergne: Aurillac is a pioneer of Street Theatre, inviting since 1986 theatre troupes and artists from all over the world to perform and provide live entertainment.
- Burgundy: In July, ‘Les Zaccros d’ma rue’ and ‘Chalon dans la Rue’ offer street theatre performances in the towns of Nevers and Chalon.
- Dordogne: Every summer, the ‘Brive-Plage Festiv'all’ , the ‘Orchestrades Universelles of Brive’ and the ‘Mime Festival of Souillac’, are not to be missed.
- Limousin: The “Route du Cirque” in Nexon is a contemporary circus festival offering a nine-day program of carefully-selected international work.
- Midi-Pyrenées: The fortified town of Cordes- sur-Ciel in Tarn goes back to medieval times to honour the Fêtes du Grand Fauconnier including performances by professional companies, a big procession, music and storytelling (13-14 July).
- Nord pas de Calais: Illustrations from Charles Dickens' Adventures of Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and David Copperfield will be on display in the unique setting of the Château d’Hardelot (Nov 20122 – 5/03/12)
- Normandy: Les Sorties de Bain (5/8 July 2012) is a free family friendly 4-day festival which sees the town of Granville host an array of shows, from theatre to circus acts and singing to comedy.
- Rhône-Alpes: The Lyon light festival is held every December, and during 4 days the city is transformed with many activities and artists’ works around the subject of light.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: The Festival Au bonheur des Mômes at Le Grand Bornand (26- 31 August 2012) includes shows, workshops, exhibitions, giant games, children's books and numerous amusements.
- Riviera: Cannes, Antibes and Monaco demonstrate amazing creativity in big firework displays set to music. All flock to the beaches for half an hour of breathtaking beauty on a dozen evenings throughout the months of July and August.
- Clos Luce: ‘In the footsteps of Leonardo’ will be a very special event on the 12, 13 and 14 August: Forming 20 tableaux, the show that take place in different points around the Château du Clos Lucé: a journey through space and time.
- Club French Heritage & Culture: let the Roman games ‘ludi’ revive in the Nimes’s Roman Arena on the 28 &29 April.
- Nantes 2012: A Journey to Nantes from 15 June to 19 August.
Sports
- Brittany: Next July, ‘Les Tonnerres de Brest’ will be the place to head to for any sea lover! This nautical extravaganza takes place every 4 years, and turns 20 this year.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Regattas, exhibitions, conferences, food and wine tastings are all possible during ‘Escale à Sète’ (6-9 April 2012), a festival of maritime traditions.
- Poitou-Charentes: Highland Games in Bressuire (9-10 June 2012) will be a fantastic demonstration played by renowned international participants from all over the world. Also a very friendly musical moment with the famous Scottish band, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and maybe the Most Famous Bagpipe Group in the World!
- Dordogne: ‘Les Montgolfiades’ held every September in Rocamadour is a hot-air balloon festival.
- Var: The ‘Roc azur’ is the most important mountain bike competition in Europe: 17,000 contestants, 150,000 spectators. From 10 to 14 October in Frejus, Saint Raphael and Roquebrune sur Argens.
- Vendée: Vendée Globe Race 2012.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Food
- Dordogne Valley: An array of food celebrations is held in Dordogne such as the ‘Strawberry Fair’ in Beaulieu sur Dordogne and the ‘Prune Fair’ in Carennac…
- Var : Wines of Bandol are very famous and among the best provence wines. Every year, ‘La fête des vins de Bandol’ celebrates the quality of the grapes harvest.
Arts and crafts
- Nord Pas de Calais: 2 major events: 14 artworks of the Pompidou centre in Paris are on display under a marquee, free of charge and for the first time, the Château de Versailles exhibits at the Fine Arts Museum of Arras its “Roulez Carrosses” horse-drawn coach exhibition.
- Normandy: Garden enthusiasts flock to ‘Presqu’île en Fleurs’, a botanical festival to meet producers and discuss the rare collections of plants from the four corners of the world turn from the mountain pastures’ is a traditional folk festival that includes crafts events and a procession of animals returning from the mountain pastures.
- Rhône-Alpes: Many events and exhibitions are planned in Chambéry and the Rhône-Alpes region to commemorate the 300th anniversary Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s birth.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: ‘Return from the mountain pastures’ is a traditional folk festival that includes crafts events and a procession of animals returning from the mountain pastures.
- Clos Luce: LEONARDO DA VINCI, ENGINEER- The fifty models built from Leonardo da Vinci's designs illustrate his different engineering talents in aeronautics, industrial machinery, marine engineering, measuring inst ruments, mechanisms, civil engineering, architecture and military engineering.
- Nantes 2012: A journey to Nantes, from 15 June to 19 August, ‘Rendez-Vous de l'Erdre’ and Scopitone festival.
Sports
- Burgundy: Les Coupes Moto Légende is one of the biggest annual gatherings of motorbikes in Europe. 80 participants ride over 130km to enjoy the beautiful roads of Burgundy at the end of May.
- Vendée: Classic beauties at Noirmoutier - in August the ‘Bois de la Chaise’ regatta draws almost 150 sleek wooden racing yachts for three days of sailing events in the Bay of Bourgneuf.
Music
- Auvergne: Every year, the sacred festival ‘La Chaise Dieu’ attracts some 25,000 music lovers who enjoy a heady mix of styles performed in a sublime setting.
- Brittany: Jazz à Vannes takes over the medieval town of Vannes in southern Brittany with smooth sounds and easy beats in Brittany’s biggest jazz festival.
- Languedoc Roussillon: “Musique en Monuments’ are free one-hour concerts of major classical and contemporary works, held once a month on a Saturday.
- Limousin: Vocal concerts in chapels, Romanesque abbeys and gardens in and around Guéret during the ‘Voix d’été en Creuse’ festival.
- Midi - Pyrenées: Every August for two weeks, 170,000 visitors come to Marciac to celebrate with the biggest jazz stars (Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater) during its Jazz Festival.
- Ile de Ré: "Ré Majeur" allows the more pleased to participate in the opera and chamber music interpreted in an extraordinary level.
- Marseilles: 5 CONTINENTS JAZZ FESTIVAL - End of July. The festival places great emphasis on young talent by providing an opening free evening just a short distance from the Old Port... Then at the Palais du Pharo in the gardens of Palais Longchamp some outstanding artists can be listened to.
- Club French Heritage & Culture: France Festivals is an organisation managing 88 festivals among the most famous in every region of France all the year long.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Food
- Dordogne Valley: Beaulieu on Dordogne has been staging a strawberry fair every May since 1990. Beaulieu strawberries are rightly famous for their flavour, the 'guariguette' variety being the star!
- Burgundy: 'Fleurs de Vigne' is a wine and local produces festival, taking place every May. More than 100 wine-producers showcase their production with free tastings and animations.
Arts and crafts
- Clos Luce: Between May 5 and May 29, THE WORLD OF CREATION shows the best Master Artists including the new Master Artists designated in 2011.
- Club Patrimoine et Cultures : Lille 3000, FANTASTIC, from 6 October 2012 to 13 January 2013.
- Nantes 2012: A Journey to Nantes 2012 from 15 June to 19 August, Rendez-Vous de l'Erdre, Scopitone festival.
- Dordogne Valley: Every summer, the 'Brive-Plage Festiv'all' , the 'Orchestrades Universelles of Brive' and the 'Mime Festival of Souillac', are not to be missed.
- Nord Pas De Calais: 14 artworks of the Paris Pompidou Centre will be on display under a marquee in Cambrai and Boulogne-sur-Mer, free of charge, Feb-May 2012.
Sports
- Auvergne: On the 3rd weekend of September each year, the joyous 'Roi de l'Oiseau' festival transports Le Puy-en-Velay back to the Renaissance period in search of the town's finest archer.
- Brittany: Sand-yachting aficionados can either get their fix at the World Championship held in Cherrieux, 8-15 July or by trying it out safely in the hands of a qualified instructor along the coast of Brittany.
Music
- Rhône-Alpes: The annual Vienne Jazz festival, held June 28th-July 13th, hosts all the great names in jazz in the wonderful setting of the Roman amphitheatre. Fringe jazz events take place all over the town.
- Midi-Pyrenées: Saturday, March 24, 2012 marks the 12th anniversary of Night of the Dance, which was recognised in 2010 with the French Open Professional's label.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The Carcassonne Festival is one of the major cultural events in the South of France, with nearly 110 shows on offer, more than 75 of which are free.
- Marseilles: At the end of October, Fiesta des Suds is the great appointment musical and festive fall and it lasts for 20 years! The program includes concerts, exhibitions, meetings and good humour.