Events & Festivals

Event
03/11/2015

NATIONAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Euro 2016 – June 10 to July 10, 2016
Sports and soccer fans have plenty more to celebrate in France, which, for the third time, is hosting the great European soccer tournament, Euro 2016, from June 10 to July 10. The month-long soccer fest will feature 24 of the top European teams. The 51 matches will unfold in 10 cities throughout France: Bordeaux – Lens – Lille – Lyon – Marseille - Nice – Paris – Saint-Denis – Saint-Étienne and Toulouse - Read release Fête de la Musique June 21, 2016 www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr First held in France in 1982 on the summer solstice, this music festival is now an international success, with events from Philadelphia to Brisbane to Beijing. It remains a popular gathering of, often, spontaneous events that give equal place to amateur and professional musicians with no particular focus on any one kind of music. More than anything, it is a showcase for new musical trends and a renewal of traditional music, whether world music, choirs, rap or techno. European Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine) September, 2015 www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr Every year since 1984, the Ministry of Culture has thrown open the doors of its greatest monuments to the general public. Celebrated throughout Europe starting in 1991, guided access is now made available to any institution providing an important public service, form the best known to the most obscure. Today, more than 16,000 sites in France alone are responsible for 20,000 events, including guided tours, workshops and demonstrations, concerts, theatrical performances, walks etc. Gastronomy Festival (Fête de la Gastronomie) Fourth weekend of September 2016 www.economie.gouv.fr/fete-gastronomie The Fête de la Gastronomie is all about food and cooking, an occasion when the general public and food professionals get together to celebrate the unique, unifying, identity-creating elements of French heritage, now even registered on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The aim is to spotlight gastronomy in all its many and diverse forms and invite everyone, whether true foodies or just curious observers, to enjoy French gastronomy’s many treasures, wherever they may be. ALSACE Christmas Market in Alsace throughout Alsace End of November 2015 to January 6th 2016 (Epiphany) www.noel.tourisme-alsace.com Christmas in Alsace is when towns and villages shine with a thousand lights. It's also a time of storytelling, caroling, renewing ancient regional traditions, enjoying recipes handed down through generations and rediscovering one's youth in a friendly and generous atmosphere. The festival period begins on the day of St. Catherine and finishes on the Epiphany. AQUITAINE Truffle Festival (Fête de la Truffe) Sarlat (Aquitaine) Third weekend in January www.sarlat-tourisme.com Every year, Sarlat gives itself over to the refinement of foie gras and truffles. The extremely popular festival is homage to local gastronomy during which everyone can taste these noble products and meet great names in French cuisine. Events include cooking classes, demonstrations and competitions; truffle hunting and identification; and, of course, tastings! Basque Music Festival Throughout Basque Aquitaine September 2016 www.musiquecotebasque.fr Over the course of six decades, Musique en Cote Basque has presented to the public the greatest soloists, ensembles and chamber orchestras in France. Always mindful of local realities and in search of ways to create unique moments in lively locales, Musique en Cote Basque brings to life the music of Schubert, Ravel, Falla, Franck and Rimsky-Korsakov in the exquisite, purple- and gold-tinted light of September's evenings. Bordeaux Wine Festival (Bordeaux fete le vin) www.bordeaux-wine-festival.com A 2 km wine route between the river and the 18th century buildings. Pavilions featuring 80 appellations from Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region, as well as the great brands of Bordeaux AUVERGNE 38th International Short Film Festival (International du Court Métrage) Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne) From February 5th to 13th 2016 www.clermont-filmfest.com Every year, more than 3,000 film professionals and enthusiasts converge on Clermont-Ferrand for the world’s largest short film festival. National, international and lab competitions present the best new groundbreaking films – animations, documentaries, comedies, fictions, genre films and even graduation shorts – complemented by a large number of retrospectives. Screenings are hosted throughout the city with concerts each evening. 30th Street Theater Festival of Aurillac (Festival d'Aurillac) Aurillac (Auvergne) August 17 to 20, 2016 www.aurillac.net This five-day international festival of street theater annually welcomes more 120,000 spectators, 500 visiting companies, 20 official troupes and plenty of acrobats, musicians, puppeteers and actors. BURGUNDY Donkey Festival (Fête de l’Âne) Sens (Burgundy) January 16-24, 2016 Donkey Festival Exhibitions, conferences, carriage rides, medieval food, activities and workshops in the Musées de Sens. All public performances. Saint-Vincent Tournante Irancy (Burgundy) January 30 & 31, 2016 www.st-vincent-tournante.fr Traditional festival of the patron saint of winegrowers, held the last weekend of January. Festivities, wine tastings and banquets in a different village every year. Festival Art Danse Dijon (Burgundy) January 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.art-danse.com Contemporary dance festival allowing for the discovery and meeting of the choreographers, dancers and professionals who keep the discipline vital. Chalon-sur-Saône Carnaval Chalon-sur-Saône (Burgundy) February 26 to March 3, 2016 www.carnavaldechalon.com Second only to Nice as the biggest carnival celebration! By the Saône River, laugh fully at the spectacle of giant cardboard heads. Fête du Crémant et du Tape Chaudrons Châtillon-sur-Seine (Burgundy) March 12, 2016 www.mairie-chatillon-sur-seine.fr Highly colorful festivities centered around bubbly wine. Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges Wine Sale Nuits-Saint-Georges (Burgundy) March 19-20, 2016 www.ot-nuits-st-georges.fr The famous wine auction during which the previous year's harvest is sold. Many other activities also take place, like a half marathon through the vineyards, shows, a chocolate salon, tastings and more. Theater in May (Théâtre en mai) in Dijon Dijon (Burgundy) May, 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.theatre-en-mai.com Young talent and old masters, actor-authors and inventors of unique worlds all gather together to create atypical and high-quality performances. Gourmand Days (Journées gourmandes) du Grand Morvan et des pays de Bourgogne Saulieu (Burgundy) May 6-9, 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.saulieu.fr Food fair uniting producers from the Morvan and the Burgundy region. Les Montgolfiades Chalon-sur-Saône (Burgundy) May 14-16, 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.montgolfiades71.com This ballooning and wine festival brings together 50 balloons from all across Europe during the Pentecost weekend. Numerous activities include wine tastings, exhibitions, demonstrations, games, music, entertainment and, of course, hot air balloon flights. Coupes Moto Légende Prenois (Burgundy) May, 21 & 22, 2016
www.coupes-moto-legende.fr This is Europe's largest motorcycle rally, a truly festive gathering. Francos gourmandes Tournus (Burgundy) June 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.francosgourmandes.fr A two-day festival of music and gastronomy. Les Francos Gourmandes invites headliner acts to perform on stage and in the kitchen, all in a friendly atmosphere by the Saône. Between concerts, visitors dine in the Allée des Chefs or taste local specialties in numerous popup wine bars. Forgive the Sailors (Pardon des Mariniers) Saint-Jean-de-Losne (Burgundy) June 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.saone-tourisme.fr On the banks of the Saône, Pardon des Mariniers keeps alive the traditional jobs that take place on the water. It's a huge party for boaters and boatmen. Les Zaccros d'ma Rue Nevers (Burgundy) July 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.zaccros.org Circus troupes “invade” the streets of Nevers every summer. And with them they bring shows, concerts and performances, each one crazier than the next! More than 200 performances are on the program every year to the delight of all audience. Chalon in the Street (Chalon dans la Rue) Chalon-sur-Saône (Burgundy) July 20 to 24, 2016 www.chalondanslarue.com This popular and sought-after street-performance festival uses the city as its playground. Chalon-sur-Saône turns into a huge stage where thousands of spectators become both the actors and the performers. There's theater, concerts, exhibition, poetry and humor for five days with over 1,000 artists who strut their stuff in front of 350,000 spectators. Festival International d’Opéra Baroque Beaune (Burgundy) July 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.festivalbeaune.com One of the top European festivals focused on Baroque music. Enjoyed in the most prestigious places of the wine capital of Burgundy. History Show at the Château de Saint-Fargeau July & August, 2016 www.chateau-de-st-fargeau.com In the exceptional setting of the castle and park, 15 paintings are staged using as many as 600 actors, like Joan of Arc's epic, Héribert's hunt, the French Revolution and American troops passing through Puisaye. All in all, the show covers more than 1,000 years of history. Festival Musical des Grands Crus de Bourgogne Côte-d’Or, Saône-et-Loire and Yonne July-October www.musicalgrandscrus-bourgogne.fr Combine music and wine – that's what this festival is all about. Chablis, Noyers-sur-Serein, Meursault, Gevrey-Chambertin and Cluny are the scenes of around 50 concerts and 30 events focusing on wine. Maillotines Nights (Nuits Maillotines) Joigny (Burgundy) 9, 16 and 23 and 29 July, 2016 6, 15 and 19 August, 2016 www.joigny-tourisme.com The theme will be the 17 century. Indeed, Philippe-Emmanuel de Gondi became Comte de Joigny in 1616 and his last heiress died in 1716. Unusual guided tours use music, song, dance and theater to share this “City of Art and History” in a different light. Hurdy Festival (Fête de la vielle) Anost (Burgundy) August 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.ugmm.org This is one of the largest festivals of traditional music and dance. Over the course of four days, Anost rings with the sounds of bagpipes, violins, accordions and the hurdy-gurdy. Music Festival under the Vaults (Festival Musiques en voûtes) September 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.quatuormanfred.com This traveling festival offers chamber music concerts in exceptional Romanesque settings in the four Burgundian departments. Fantastic Picnic September 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.burgundy-tourism.com At the same time as the Fête de la Gastronomie in the first weekend of autumn, “Fantastic Picnics” take place in unexpected places throughout the region. They're the perfect opportunity to get together with friends and celebrate the gastronomic heritage of Burgundy. Press Festival (Fête de la Pressée) Chenôve (Burgundy) Third week of September 2016 www.ville-chenove.fr This vineyard festival takes place every year on the third weekend of September in the old quarter of Chenôve. The grape presses of the Dukes of Burgundy come alive at this unforgettable time of celebration. Les Automnales de Pommard October 15 and 16, 2016 www.beaune-tourisme.fr This fun family wine festival is all about discovering the Pommard appellation. Festival activities include wine tastings, cellar visits and vineyard walks. International Gastronomy Fair (Foire Internationale et Gastronomique) Dijon (Burgundy) November 1 to 13, 2016 www.foirededijon.com Attracting nearly 600 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors, the international and gastronomic fair of Dijon is the sixth-largest international fair in France and Burgundy's most important economic event. Every year, one country is given the honor of hosting the event through its culinary specialties. A wine fair also showcases a foreign vineyard (South Africa, Portugal). Hospices de Beaune Wine Sale Beaune (Burgundy) Third weekend of November www.beaune-tourisme.fr This most famous charity wine sale in the world has existed for more than 150 years. Every year, a celebrity lends a hand to help sell the best wines. This event includes many festivities: street shows, gala dinners and, of course, wine tasting, all in the bustling city. Truffle Market (Marché aux truffes) Noyers-sur-Serein (Burgundy) November 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.noyers-et-tourisme.com Fans of black gold meet together in one of the most beautiful village in France, located in the Yonne. Les Glorieuses de Bresse Louhans (Burgundy) Mid-December 2016 (Exact Date TBD) www.glorieusesdebresse.com The volaille de Bresse festival takes place in mid-December. Four dates in four Bresse cities, including a festive weekend in Louhans, culminate with the annual AOC poultry beauty contest. CENTRE VAL DE LOIRE 550th Anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's arrival Amboise (Centre Val de Loire) www.vinci-closluce.com In 2016, France will celebrate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s arrival with the Mona Lisa in tow, which could explain her cryptic smile. Invited by France’s great Renaissance King Francois 1er, da Vinci crossed the Alps to reach Amboise in the Loire Valley, where he settled and spend the last 3 years of his life at the Chateau du Clos Lucé, now a museum in his honor. CHAMPAGNE La Route Touristique du Champagne en Fête Les Riceys (Champagne) August, 2016 www.2014.routeduchampagne.com In the south of Champagne, wine growers from the Seine Valley invite 25,000 to 40,000 people to a musical and gourmet stroll in the heart of their villages. The goal of this extraordinary weekend is to open wine cellars and bottles in a different part of the Côte de Bar each year. A champagne glass and trip log provide access to a free tasting in every participating domain. International Puppet Theater Festival (Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes) Charleville-Mézières (Champagne) September, 2017 www.festival-marionnette.com This is now the biggest event of its kind in the world. Every two years, the festival showcases cultures and traditions from all places and times, including Indonesian shadow puppets, Vietnamese water puppets, giant puppets from Mali, Pulcinella and so on. Some 600 shows by 50 quality performance groups over 10 days also reveal the sophistication and complexity of this constantly changing art form. FRENCH ALPS Alpine Skiing European Cup (Criterium de la Premiere Neige) Val d’Isère (French Alps) Mid-December www.valdisere.com The Bellevarde Face will play host to this major downhill alpine skiing race featuring the best European racers. The European Cup races include downhill and SuperG courses. Christmas, A Magical Week Courchevel (French Alps) December 21 to 24, 2015 www.courchevel.com La Semaine Enchantée de Noël sees the magical transformation of the ski station of Courchevel. Free entertainment for the whole family includes a Christmas market, ski spectacles, enchanting theater for young and old alike, children's workshops, fireworks and the arrival of Father Christmas. 23rd Classicaval Music Festival Tignes (French Alps) January 26 to 28 & March 8 to 10, 2016 www.festival-classicaval.com A not-to-be-missed winter event, the two parts of the Classicaval music festival have attracted classical music lovers to the Baroque church of Saint-Bernard de Menthon for more than 20 years. Sharing the emotional gift of the musicians is the heart and soul of Classicaval. International Festival of Pyrotechnic Art Courchevel (French Alps) February 11 to March 7, 2016 www.courchevel.com Looking ahead to its 13th year, the Festival International d’Art Pyrotechnique is a one-of-a-kind pyrotechnics competition between companies specializing in fireworks displays and keen to demonstrate their skills to more than 8,000 spectators. Nocturnal Mens' Slalom World Cup Chamonix (French Alps) February 19 to 20, 2016 www.chamonix.com Birthplace of the 1st Winter Olympics in 1924, the Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley has hosted some of the most prestigious international events, such as the 1937 and 1962 World Championships and 20 or so editions of the Kandahar (Alpine Skiing World Cup) since 1948. The Valley of Chamonix welcome so on "Verte des Houches" on 19 and 20 February next two events: Alpine combined downhill and men, accounting each for the World Cup downhill and combined. Thousands of spectators are expected to encourage the competitors from the sidelines. Rock the Pistes Festival Les Portes du Soleil (French Alps) March 13 to 19, 2016 www.rockthepistes.com This event, marking the start of the festival season, combines snow sports and music. There are free, open-air daytime concerts in a different Portes du Soleil resort each day, and your ski-pass is good as your ticket. Ski from venue to venue, between France and Switzerland and find the surprise festival stages erected over night. Many well-known artists have already graced the slopes: Ben l’Oncle Soul, Pete Doherty, BB Brunes, Klaxons, Bertignac, Superbus, Caravan Palace and Shaka Ponk. Skicolor: Colorful Action on the Pistes Les Gets (French Alps) March 12, 2016 www.skicolor.com Mont Chéry's immaculate white slopes will be the setting for this vividly colorful new event – a first for a ski resort. Dressed in white, skiers will plunge down the piste through an explosion of color bursting from the 100% naturally colored powder snow shooting over them. The aim is to be the most colorful by the time you reach the bottom. In the evening there will be music with live DJs, all with Mont Blanc as a backdrop! Winter Golf Val d’Isère (French Alps) March 28 to April 3, 2016 www.valdisere.com Golf on snow? You bet. This is the third Winter Golf Cup in the Manchet Valley, and it is a competition, events and courses open to everyone. Yes, when the Winter Golf comes to Val d’Isère, things really heat up in the village with street golf at nightfall. Then, at dawn, 40 teams of two players (Pro-Am) head out to the specially prepared nine-hole course in the Manchet Valley. Les 3 Vallées Enduro Val Thorens (French Alps) April 3, 2016 www.valthorens.com The leading 3 Vallées spring skiing event is about to start a new chapter. Over the past 10 years, it has become the biggest gathering of amateur skiers in the world. More than 1,500 participants every year earn points in teams of three by completing various challenges (big-air bag, speed skiing, freeriding, ski cross, freestyle, parallel slalom) in locations all around the ski area. Activities can be carried out on downhill or cross-country skis, as well as snowboards. 2nd Slubli’cimes: 6 peaks, 6 parties La Plagne (French Alps) April 3 to 15, 2016 www.la-plagne.com With a view to winning over new clients with an event on an original theme, La Plagne has come up with a thrill-filled operation. Subli’Cimes is an event created to enhance the ski area’s entertainment programme at the end of the winter season when conditions really lend themselves to relaxation: when the days are getting longer and the weather is warmer and sunnier. Unlimited Festival Jour Blanc Chamonix (French Alps) April 2016 www.chamonix.com For the eighth consecutive year, a wave of electronic music will unfurl in the Chamonix valley. The festival will take music to greater heights, with concerts programmed up in the mountains for enthusiasts' pleasure. Spring Skiing Festival in Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry (French Alps) April 9 to 23, 2016 lesarcs.com Peisey-Vallandry Fifteen days of out-of-this-world activities, challenges and shows take over the slopes of Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry. Highlights include a demonstration and introduction to slack-lining and Ride ‘n Golf; a beach party with a water slide for skiing or snowboarding across the pool; and, at the 10,584-foot summit of the Aiguille Rouge, Europe's highest concert! Live in Tignes Tignes (French Alps) April 11 to 13, 2016 www.tignes.net This winter, the holidays in February will echo with the sound of free concerts. The "Live in Tignes" concerts are back with four weeks, four concerts and four internationally renowned artists on the program. This year the artists and their fans will meet outside, in the heart of the natural mountain amphitheater at 7,000 feet. Feria Blanche Courchevel Courchevel (French Alps) April 16 to 17, 2015 www.courchevel.com Celebrate the end of the Courchevel winter season with the Feria Blanche. Do some spring skiing in a festival atmosphere complete with live music, Easter egg hunts, clearance sales and opportunities to try out new products and materials. Apothéose Days Val Thorens (French Alps) April 30 to May 2, 2016 www.valthorens.com The unmissable end-of-ski-season party in France is a new snow-sports concept that alternates between morning spring skiing and afternoon entertainment, including activities to be enjoyed with family and friends. This fun international sports event adds enjoyment to the long spring days through a number of activities and a wide range of entertainment, such as a water slide, ski jumps, performances and street art. GUADELOUPE ISLANDS Jou a Tradisyon Baie-Mahault (Guadeloupe) December 15, 2015 www.baiemahault.fr Held in at the Jarry Economic Activities Park in partnership with the Farmers Association of Baie-Mahault, this is an annual agricultural, artisanal, culinary and floral gathering. It is the island's largest celebration of local products and economic and cultural heritage. Shrove Tuesday Pointe-à-Pitre/Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe) February 9, 2016 www.guadeloupe-islands.com Shrove Sunday begins with parades, dancing, costumes, masquerades and street parties. Two days later, on Shrove Tuesday, pajama-clad masqueraders dance in the streets throughout the day and late into the night. This is Guadeloupe’s Carnival, but it is unique in that it finishes on Ash Wednesday. The biggest parades are held in Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre, but Carnival is celebrated in every town and village. Crab Festival (Fête du Crabe) Morne à l’eau (Guadeloupe) April, 2016 www.maguadeloupe.ca Crab-oriented events made the reputation of this annual crowd-pleasing festival. Crab races, biggest crab competitions, and crab-tying and crab-eating tournaments, as well as cooking competitions using crab-based recipes and discussions about crabs are all part of the festivities. The festival is also a time for great entertainment and and cultural exchange. Land Rover Fishing Festival Saint-François (Guadeloupe) May, 2016 www.landroverfishingfestival.com The Marina of Saint-François hosts this deep-sea fishing tournament. A minimum weight is required for each fish caught, so as not to deplete local resources. (Small fish are counted but released.) Prizes are awarded to the top three boats as well as to the tournament record fish, the largest fish by species, the best woman angler and the best junior. Special activities take place each day in the fishermen's village, including fishing instruction for kids, fish tasting and sales. Terre de Blues – Marie Galante Jazz Festival Marie-Galante (Guadeloupe) May 13-16, 2016 www.terredeblues.com The 16th annual edition of this acclaimed four-day jazz festival will continue the tradition of bringing exceptional music to more than 15,000 people. In addition to the main stage and large food court on the festival grounds of the historical Murat Plantation, in town there's a artisan's exhibition and a central performance area open to amateurs giving free concerts. Gwo Ka Fesitval Sainte-Anne (Guadeloupe) July, 2016 www.guadeloupe-islands.com This is a traditional, annual drum festival that draws in both locals and visitors. The term "gwoka" today describes the music, songs and dance steps using a Guadeloupean drum of the same name. Although once considered part of a subculture, gwoka has become an integral and unique part of Guadeloupean society, with the drum itself recognized as a special musical instrument and the drumming techniques and repertoire taught in music schools. Tour de Guadeloupe Traditional Sailing Race (en Voile Traditionnelle) Guadeloupe Islands July, 2016 www.tgvt.fr Sail around the Guadeloupe Islands on traditional sailboats. Enjoyed by thousands of aficionados over the course of more than 10 years, this annual sailing race is a keystone of Guadeloupean culture. During nine days, sailors make their way cross around the archipelago aboard their traditional boats and celebrate at each of eight stops. International "Tour de Guadeloupe" Cycling Race Guadeloupe Islands July 31- August 9, 2016 www.guadeloupe-islands.com The Tour de Guadeloupe is an annual men's multiple-stage road bicycle race. It is the country's oldest and most popular sports event, as the entire nation joins in. Over the course of nine or 10 days, cyclists cover more than 750 miles and everyone celebrates their progress. ILE-DE-FRANCE Château de Fontainebleau (Fontainebleau Castle) Fontainebleau Castle Fontainebleau (Ile-de-France) December 19 to Juanuary 3, 2016 www.lesarlequins.fr Visitors are invited to dress up to discover the Fontainebleau Castle Fontainebleau Castle Carnival Fontainebleau (Ile-de-France) February 20, 2016 www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr “La maison du Roy” Fontainebleau (Ile-de-France) April 19-20, 2016 Equestrian and musical show designed and animated by the Cavalry Regiment of the Republican Guard www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr History of Art Festival (Festival de l’Histoire de l’Art) Fontainebleau (Ile-de-France) June 3 to 5, 2016 www.festivaldelhistoiredelart.com More than 300 free happenings - conferences, debates, roundtables, screenings, concerts, lectures, activities and more - are slated to take place as part of a commitment to help kids learn about the history of art in a fun way. Château de Versailles (Versailles Castle) Musical Fountains Show Château de Versailles (Ile-de-France) April to October 2016 Discover the groves of Versailles, and the fountains whose jets of water rise and fall in time to the music. www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/en The Fountains Night Show Château de Versailles (Ile-de-France) Mid-June to Mid-September 2016 When night falls, the palace gardens transform into a stunning visual and musical treat. This year once again, lighting and stage-effects artists will illuminate the gardens and display their surprising installations to visitors: water features in the Mirror Fountain, lasers streaking across the dark in the Colonnade Grove and a fireworks display in front of the Grand Canal. en.chateauversailles.fr Musical Season at the Royal Opera of Château de Versailles: To consult the entire musical season: www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/en Some Musical Shows: Joyce Didonato: Baroque Splendour Recital at Royal Opera in Château de Versailles (Ile-de-France) March 9th, 2016 www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/ Mozart : Don Giovanni Opera at Royal Opera in Château de Versailles (Ile-de-France) March 17th, 19th and 20th, 2016 www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/en/spectacles/2016/mozart-don-giovanni Lully : Persée Concert Opera at Royal Opera in Château de Versailles (Ile-de-France) April 15th, 2016 Concert Spirituel Choir and Orchestra. Hervé Niquet Direction www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr Concert for Marie-Antoinette Concert at the Royal Opera in Château de Versailles Les Arts Florissants. William Christie Direction June 28th, 2016 www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/en/spectacles/2015/concert-marie-antoinette CHATEAU VAUX LE VICOMTE Candlelit Evenings at Vaux le Vicomte Château de Vaux le Vicomte (Ile-de-France) Every Saturday evening from May to October www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en Vaux le Vicomte can be visited under the glow of 2,000 lit candles. To accompany this festival of light, classical music is played, evoking a night of festivities that dates back to 1661. Vaux le Vicomte Race: 400th anniversary of Nicolas Fouquet Château de Vaux le Vicomte (Ile-de-France) www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en In 2015, Vaux-le-Vicomte celebrates the 400th anniversary of the birth of Nicolas Fouquet, Superintendent of Finance to Louis XIV, who fostered the collaboration between the architect Louis Le Vau, the painter and interior designer Charles Le Brun, and the landscape gardener André Le Nôtre, which produced a masterpiece of harmony that has inspired the world for centuries. All year long, Vaux-le-Vicomte will honor the memory of Fouquet the bold, Fouquet the patron of the arts, and Fouquet the visionary. Vaux le Vicomte Easter Celebration Château de Vaux le Vicomte (Ile-de-France) April 2016 www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en A large Easter egg hunt will be organized in the gardens. With the support of Leonidas, more than 50,000 eggs (or 3 tons of chocolate!) will be hidden throughout the gardens. OTHER EVENTS Saint Denis Festival Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Denis (Ile-de-France) June, 2016 www.festival-saint-denis.com La Nuit aux Invalides Hôtel national des Invalides (Ile-de-France) June 13 – August 31, 2016 www.lanuitauxinvalides.fr Provins Christmas Festival Provins (Ile-de-France) December 12-13, 2015 www.provins.net In December, this World Heritage-listed city comes to life with a vibrant Medieval market, day and night, on the plaza before the castle; a living crèche with 50 actors; an underground storytelling theater; an artisanal village market with a large ice-skating rink; a steam train; as well as a dance spectacle, concerts, illustrators and much more. LANGUEDOC The Great Roman Games (Les Grands Jeux Romains) Nimes (Languedoc) April 23 to 24, 2016 www.grandsjeuxromains.com A spectacle like no other in France. Staged combat, shows, field camps, theme visits, displays, conferences and more bring to life this annual historical reenactment of life in Roman times. More than 500 participants will participate in military parades through the city, as well as gladiator battles and circus games in the arenas. Medieval Festival of Saint Louis (Les Fêtes de la St Louis) Aigues-Mortes (Languedoc) August, 2016 www.ot-aiguesmortes.fr In mid-August, the whole city opens its eyes to a time warp, as if thrust back into the Middle Ages, complete with costume parades, taverns, medieval markets, flag throwers, knights in combat, shows, balls, field camps and old-fashioned farms. LORRAINE Christmas Markets in Metz Metz (Lorraine) November 22 to December 28, 2015 (one Christmas Market until January 4th) www.noel-a-metz.com This is the most important Christmas market in the east of France, marking the beginning of the end of the year. Like a little village set in the center of the city, more than 80 pine-wood chalets of all different colors sprout into being and draw crowds of young and old into a welcome fairytale setting. The Christmas market takes over several locations in the city and includes Europe's largest Ferris wheel and a huge skating rink. St Nicolas Festival Nancy (Lorraine) December 4 to 6, 2015 www.tourisme-lorraine.fr Amid so many other festivities, the St Nicolas in Nancy is the event not to be missed, the most important weekend celebration of the year. The whole city gives itself over to the party with theater, acrobats or musicians in every decoration-draped street. Kids typically receive gifts, and in some cases they're more important than those shared at Christmas. There are also major St. Nicolas festivals in the villages of St. Nicolas de Port and Bar-le-Duc, and the cities of Metz and Epinal. 20th Foie Gras Regional Festival (20ème Fête Régionale du Foie Gras) Phalsbourg (Lorraine) December 12 to 13 & 19 to 20, 2015 www.phalsbourg.fr This unmissable gourmet rendezvous gives pride of place to foie gras. Forty or so producers and artisans offer tastings and sale of their regional products in parallel with activities like cooking demonstrations with regional chefs and workshops. Other regional products are also on display, including wine, mirabelle plums, cheese, bread, chocolate, oils, honey, farm produce and even oysters. Mirabelle Plum Festival (Fête de la Mirabelle) Metz (Lorraine) End of August 2016 www.tourisme-lorraine.fr/mirabelle The delicate and subtle aroma, and sweet and juicy pulp make the mirabelle plum a true treasure of Lorraine. More than 250,000 trees account for 90% of global production. In fact, since 1996, the mirabelle plum of Lorraine has benefited from a PGI (protected geographical indication) label, a guarantee of its provenance and quality. The mirabelle plum festival celebrates this golden fruit through parades, balls, performances and fireworks. Lorraine Mondial Air Ballon Chambley-Bussières (Lorraine) End of July to beginning of August, 2017 www.pilatre-de-rozier.com Every two years, in July, the largest international gathering of approximately 1,000 hot air balloons and their pilots from more than 60 countries and all seven continents takes place at the Chambley-Bussières air field, between Nancy and Metz. Fun programs include first flights, aerial demonstrations, kites, mini balloons, imaginative balloons in new shapes and night flights. MARTINIQUE Rum Festival (Fête du Rhum) Sainte-Marie (Martinique) December 13, 2015 www.martinique.org In the gardens of the St James distillery, look for a craft village, rides on board the plantation train, concerts, group walks and Christmas carols. Martinique Caribbean Carnival Fort-de-France (Martinique) End of January 2016 www.martinique.org Carnaval festivities kick off with musical street parades and an exhibition village centered around the crafts and activities associated with the celebrations. Martinique Cata Raid January 24 to 31, 2016 www.martiniquecataraid.com/fr/Accueil This sports catamaran regatta of 45 vessels circles the island in five stages. Nautical Week (Semaine Nautique Internationale) Schoelcher (Martinique) February 5 to 9, 2016 www.martinique.org Participants from the Caribbean, Europe and North America are present for this international sailing competition, pitting themselves against sailors from Martinique in a variety of disciplines. Carnaval! February 7 to 10, 2016 www.martinique.org Group parades, music, costumes, floats, burlesque weddings, red devil days and masks. During Carnaval, Martinique becomes a swirl of color and jubilation. Festival Martizik Sainte-Anne (Martinique) March 12 to 19, 2016 www.martizik.com This festival of electronic and tropical music is the first eco-conscious festival in the Caribbean. Gastronomy Week (Semaine Gastronomique) Sainte-Marie (Martinique) May 2016 www.martinique.org Creole cuisine takes center stage during this week showcasing the best chefs of Martinique and elsewhere. Martinique Yole Festival May 2016 www.martinique.org A festival celebrating the yole ronde, the traditional boat of Martinique, through yole ronde races, concerts, a crafts village and activities. Cultural Festival (Festival Culturel de Fort-de-France) Fort-de-France (Martinique) July 2016 www.martinique.org Every year there are favorite and unforgettable moments at this festival of world culture. Le Tour de Martinique des Yoles Rondes End of July to beginning of August, 2016 www.martinique.org The most popular event in Martinique is this colorful weeklong water festival. More than 600 racers train with their yoles rondes, watched by pleasure boaters and thousands of passionate supporters. MIDI-PYRENEES Poney Session, Premier Snowboard Freestyle Event Saint Lary (Midi-Pyrénées) March 3 to 6, 2016 www.poneysession.com Poney Session, now a five-star event on the World Snowboard Tour (WST), has become the largest snowboard gathering in France, one of the leading match-ups in Europe and also part of the Snowboard World Cup. Lourdes Launches the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2016 Lourdes (Midi-Pyrénées) April 9 to 10, 2016 www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk/ The International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Cup will launch its 2016 calendar with a downhill event on the Pic du Jer overlooking Lourdes. Although new to the World Cup, Lourdes has already hosted the French Cup and will present riders with a 1.5-mile-long course that descends 2,000 feet in altitude. The race will be broadcast live and followed by a worldwide internet audience of 2 million. Course Eiffage On the Viaduc Millau May 22, 2016 www.course-eiffage-viaducdemillau.org Rio Loco Celebrates 21 Years Toulouse (Midi-Pyrenees) June 15 to 19, 2016 www.rio-loco.org This is the Toulouse's largest music festival, now in its 21st year. The theme is the Celtic Music. Lights Music Festival Abbaye Ecole de Sorèze (Midi-Pyrénées) July 4 to 10, 2016 www.abbayeecoledesoreze.com Cahors Blues Festival Cahors (Midi-Pyrénées) July 11 to 16, 2016 www.cahorsbluesfestival.com Medieval Festival of the Grand Falconer Cordes-sur-Ciel (Midi-Pyrénées) July 13 & 14, 2016 www.grandfauconnier.com Taking place in the beautiful perched village of Cordes-sur-Ciel, visitors step back in time to the Middle Ages and are entertained by troubadors, jugglers, falconers and other relics of the village's medieval past. Festival Piano Pic July 18 to 30, 2016 Piano Concerts on the summit of Pic du Midi www.piano-pic.com Gavarnie Festival Turns 31 Gavarnie (Midi-Pyrenees) July 22 to August 3, 2016 www.festival-gavarnie.com This remarkable open-air theater festival, held right at the gates of Pyrenees National Park, marks its 31st year in 2016. The Festival de Gavarnie is set in the Cirque de Gavarnie, part of the Pyrenees-Mont Perdu area that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jazz in Marciac Marciac(Midi-Pyrénées) July 25 to August 13, 2016 www.jazzinmarciac.com This legendary festival whose patron is Wynton Marsalis, has featured many international jazz stars over the years including Keith Jarret, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Reeves and of course Wynton Marsalis. Saint-Céré Lyric Festival (Opéra - théâtre) Saint Céré - The Dordogne Valley (Midi-Pyrénées) July 30 to August 15, 2016 www.festival-saint-cere.com Piano aux Jacobins Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées) September 6 to 30, 2016 www.pianojacobins.com The first festival in France entirely dedicated to piano performances, this event is a highlight of the city's festive autumn calendar. 100 km de Millau Around the Millau Viaduc (Midi-Pyrénées) September 24, 2016 www.100kmdemillau.com Les Montgolfiades de Rocamadour Rocamadour (Midi-Pyrénées) September 24 – 25, 2016 www.vallee-dordogne.com Actual Circus CIRCA Festival Aunch (Midi-Pyrénées) October 15 to 25, 2016 www.festival-circa.auch.fr Festival Toulouse les Orgues: 20th Anniversary in 2016 Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées) October 16 to 26, 2016 www.toulouse-les-orgues.org NORD-PAS DE CALAIS Lille Flea Market (Braderie de Lille) Lille (Nord-Pas de Calais) September 3 to 4, 2016 www.braderie-de-lille.fr The Lille Flea Market is the largest and most famous flea market in Europe. Every year, more than two million visitors from all over the continent (and beyond) take to the streets of the city in search of bargains. Many events also take place throughout the weekend, not the least of which are focused on gastronomy. NORMANDY Scallop Festivals Port-en-Bessin-Huppain & Grandcamp-Maisy (Normandy) November 14-15, 2015 www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com www.isigny-grandcamp-intercom.fr Lower Normandy is a maritime region par excellence, where the scallop represents the main fishing product. Every year, in le Bessin, two fishing villages celebrate the start of scallop harvesting with festivals: "Le Goût du Large" in November in Port-en-Bessin-Huppain (north of Bayeux) and "La Coquille Saint-Jacques en Fête" in December in Grandcamp-Maisy (east of the Baie des Veys). Food tasting, cooking demonstrations, fish auctions, a book fair, concerts and guided tours are all on the program. Normandy Impressionist Festival April 16 to September 26, 2016 www.normandie-impressionniste.eu Normandy, the cradle of Impressionism… Now an established event in the Normandy calendar, the 3rd edition of the festival will be dedicated to impressionist portraits. Major exhibitions are already planned in the major Fine Arts museums in Caen, Giverny, Honfleur, Le Havre and Rouen. Other festive and cultural events will take place all over Normandy from luncheons on the grass to sound and light shows and concerts. Medieval Normandy June to September 2016 www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com Steeped in our common history, Normandy invites you to go back in time to retrace the footsteps of William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart and Joan of Arc. Explore the rich medieval history of Normandy’s architectural heritage with its châteaux, abbeys and museums. From June to September 2016, many festive medieval events will take place in Normandy, home of William the Conqueror. In July, the streets of Bayeux will come alive with street theatre during the medieval festival and in August, Dives-sur-Mer will celebrate the 950th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s sailing to England prior to his victory at Hastings. Tour de France 2016 starting from the Mont-Saint-Michel July 2nd, 2016 www.tourdefrance-manche.com In 2016, the cycling spotlight will be on Normandy as the Tour starts at the foot of the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel with the first stage ending at Utah Beach, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, and the second stage will see cyclists riding from Saint-Lô to Cherbourg-Octeville on the Cotentin peninsula. The third stage will leave from Granville on 4th July 2016. PARIS Paris Jazz Festival Paris Early June to late July 2016 www.parisjazzfestival.fr Paris' premier jazz festival unfolds over the course of eight weeks in the Parc Floral botanical gardens of Paris. Having celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2014, it has been instrumental in helping jazz to keep reinventing itself rather than settling into a routine. Paris Plages Paris Mid-July to mid-August 2016 www.paris.fr A Seine-side holiday. That, in a nutshell, is what Paris Plages is all about. The Seine’s banks become pedestrian byways and sandy beaches are spread across three spots – Louvre/Pont de Sully, Port de la Gare and Bassin de la Villette – complete with deck chairs, ice cream sellers and concerts for French and foreign guests. Holidaymakers at the Bassin de la Villette can also borrow books free of charge, play beach volleyball, take an aqua-gym class in a mini pool, kayak around the lake or, of course, just chill and enjoy. Rock en Seine Paris August 26, 27 and 28, 2016 www.rockenseine.com This three-day rock music festival is held in the park of the Château de Saint-Cloud, west of Paris, inside a garden designed by André Le Nôtre. 2014’s lineup included: The Hives, Arctic Monkey, Lana Del Ray, Queens of the Stone Age, Portishead and more. Paris Electronic Week Paris Mid-September 2016 www.pariselectronicweek.fr This 10-day festival celebrates electronic music and culture through performances and workshops. Paris Electronic Week is organized by Technopol – Techno Parade, an association that, since 1996, has assisted in the development and promotion of electronic music and culture, as well as its adherents' networking and professionalism. Nuit Blanche Paris October 1, 2016 www.quefaire.paris.fr Nuit Blanche, a free, annual, dusk-to-dawn carnival of arts and culture, has become one of the most popular events on the Paris cultural calendar. It is an informal and relaxed way for the general public to become acquainted with contemporary artists in many settings – outdoors, in famous places in Paris, with children or friends, or just after eating in a restaurant. The success of this event, started in Paris in 2002, has led to its adoption in other cities like Rome, Brussels, Madrid and Montreal. POITOU-CHARENTES International Comic Strip Art Festival Angoulême (Poitou-Charentes) January 28 to 31, 2016 www.bdangouleme.com Each year in Angoulême, the International Comic Strip Festival invades the town during the last weekend in January. Over 250 exhibitors and 1,600 authors from 36 nationalities will congregate with 220,000 festival goers. In 2014, the 41st edition was chaired byillustrator Willem. The Jury awarded the First Prize to Bill Watterson for Calvin and Hobbes. Nuits Romanes (Roman Nights) Throughout Poitou-Charentes June to September www.nuitsromanes.poitou-charentes.fr All types of free entertainment, from street musicians to theatre and dance, enliven the evenings throughout Poitou-Charentes and underscore the region's rich Roman heritage. With something for adults and children alike, this amazing series of events fosters the discovery (and rediscovery) of new places in uncustomary guises. Floating Market Le Vanneau (Poitou-Charentes) July 2016 www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com In the heart of Deux-Sèvres, the Marais Poitevin is a marvelous aquatic labyrinth interspersed with little villages. In one such hamlet, Le Vanneau Irleau, the last Saturday of July sees a big floating market. Nearly 15,000 people attended the market last year, music to the ears of over 50 local producers selling their wares along the canals. Cognac Blues Passions Cognac (Poitou-Charentes) July 5 to 9, 2016 www.bluespassions.com World class music festival on the banks of the Charente. Cognac’s most famous export is undoubtedly its namesake but the town’s fame is now rising in the music world too thanks to its annual festival, Cognac Blues Passions. While the heart of the festival remains the blues and blues-derived music, the recent festivals have broadened their repertoire to include other music from across the world. Choose from simply enjoying the festival atmosphere at one of the many pavement bars and restaurants or buy a ticket to one of the daily events held in the beautiful botanic gardens. Francofolies La Rochelle (Poitou-Charentes) July 13 to 17, 2016 www.francofolies.com All styles of French language music converge at one of France’s leading festivals held each summer. Les Francofolies welcomes all genres from soul to folk as well as hip hop, electro, blues and rock. With more than 250 concerts in eight different venues programmed across five days and nights, there is plenty to keep the most enthusiastic festival-goers entertained. A Violin on the Sand Royan (Poitou-Charentes) July 23, 2016 www.violonsurlesable.com Classical and lyrical music festival with a symphonic orchestra comprising some 80 musicians from Paris Opera and other major orchestras. A Violin on the Sand is an invitation for kids and grownups alike to sit on the beach, facing the ocean with their heart amongst the stars, and to enjoy some of the most beautiful and unexpected classical music ever heard in such a location. Fête du Cognac Cognac (Poitou-Charentes) July 28 to 30, 2016 www.lafeteducognac.fr A celebration of the Charente area, the Fete du Cognac is a gastronomic event promoting cognac … and music. Over 22,000 plates of regional specialties were served last year and 55,000 glasses of cognac, pineau and various cocktails including the emblematic ‘Summit’. So feast during the day – there are five bars and 350 volunteers ready to serve you - and then enjoy some top line musicians performing in the evening. Stars such as The Stranglers are artists that have recently made an appearance. Coup de Chauffe Cognac (Poitou-Charentes) September 2016 www.avantscene.com The 19th arts festival takes place annually in Cognac with thirty or so regional, national and European companies taking part to show more than 60 free shows – art in the streets. Les Gastronomades Angoulême (Poitou-Charentes) November 2016 www.gastronomades.fr This unique annual event – a weekend dedicated entirely to regional food products and today's cuisine – welcomes more than 100,000 visitors eager to learn about farm-to-table practices and interact with masters of the kitchen: chefs, caterers, producers and journalists. It's an opportunity for everyone to learn about the culinary arts. PROVENCE-ALPS-COTE D’AZUR Feria d’Arles From 3 to 6 April 2016 www.feriaarles.com This feria returns year after year to mark the beginning of the bull-fighting temporada (season) in France. Thousands of fans flock here to celebrate this tradition, with the old town being entirely pedestrianised and orchestras flooding the streets. In addition to the corridas, the feria is synonymous with exhibitions, events and activities and even conferences. 80 years of the AOC of Cassis Cassis (Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur) Sunday 15 May 2016 In honour of the anniversary of France’s very first AOC region, a rich line-up of festivities is scheduled for 15 May: a harvest feast, coupo santo, blessing, procession, folk dances, picnic and tasting sessions. Today, the AOC of Cassis encompasses 215 hectares and produces on average 7,500 hl per year. Unique in Provence, it primarily produces white wines. Rosés make up 30% of production and reds the remaining 3%. UEFA European Football Cup Marseille (Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur) From 10 June to 10 July 2016 The 2016 UEFA European football championship aka the Euro 2016 is the 15th edition of the European football championship, a competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations that brings together the very best European teams. It will take place in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016. Marseille’s new Velodrome was inaugurated in 2014 and can seat 67,000. Marseille will be hosting 6 matches, more than any French city other than Paris - Saint Denis (7 matches). The 5-star Renaissance hotel in Aix-en-Provence will also host one of the European football teams. www.lenouveaustadevelodrome.com www.uefa.com The luminescence d’Avignon Avignon (Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur) From 12 August to 3 October 2016 at the Palais des Papes Avignon www.avignon-tourisme.com Sound and light display designed by Bruno Seillier. A 35-minute staged show that restores the castle to its medieval glory, when Christianity had reached its apex. The Cour d’Honneur at the Palais des Papes is drenched in light, plunging spectators into the midst of over-sized high-resolution images and 3D sequences. A heady journey through time. New: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the 10:15pm session is in English. RHONE-ALPS La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc January 9 to 20, 2016 www.grandeodyssee.com The largest sled dogs in the world will cross 22 ski resorts and villages from the North of Haute Savoie to the the South of Savoie 25th International Competition of Ice Carvings Valloire – Savoie Mont Blanc January 12 to 15, 2016 www.valloire.net The 25th competition will last 4 days. It will end with a magnificent light show La Foulée Blanche Autrans - Isère January 13 to 17, 2016 www.lafouleeblanche.com A competition of cross-country skiing: 4 days, 10 ski races, 7 different distances. It is the largest competition of Nordic skiing long distance in France. Truffle Festival (Fête de la Truffe) Saint Paul Trois Châteaux (Rhone-Alps) February 12 to 14, 2016 www.ladrometourisme.com Everything you want to know about truffles, complete with sales, a market, truffle hunts, and of course sensory and taste appreciation. Venice-Style Carnaval (Carnaval Vénitien) Annecy (Rhone-Alps) February 16 to 21, 2016 www.lac-annecy.com The canals of Annecy's old town remind people of those in Venice. And, just as in the City of the Doges, more than 200 people in masks parade along Annecy's canals during Carnaval. Nuits Sonores Music Festival (Festival de musique electro et Indé) Lyon (Rhone-Alps) Ascension weekend (May) www.nuits-sonores.com Electronic music – techno, house, electronica – fills the streets, concert halls, passages, movie theaters, museums and other emblematic places of architectural heritage in Lyon Transhumance Festival (Fête de la Transhumance) Die (Rhone-Alps) Mid-June www.diois-tourisme.com The long-standing tradition of transhumance – herding sheep through town and then up to summer mountain pastures – is slowly disappearing. Perhaps this festival of music, song, crafts and grilled food will breathe life back into the ancient pastoral practice. Nuits de Fourvière Festival Lyon (Rhone-Alps) June-July www.nuitsdefourviere.fr An eclectic program of summer cultural events takes place in the special setting of Lyon's ancient Roman theater. EURO 2016 June 10 to July 10, 2016 www.uefa.com Soccer Games in Saint Etienne and Lyon Animated Movies Festival in Annecy Annecy – Savoie Mont Blanc June 13 to 18, 2016 www.annecy.org This is the most important world festival dedicated to the Animated Movies. Jazz in Vienne Vienne - Isère June 28 to July 13, 2016 www.jazzavienne.com The annual jam session of all the big jazz names in the magnificent environment of the Théâtre Antique. Musilac Aix les Bains - Savoie Mont Blanc July 8 to 10, 2016 This is the rock concert the most important in Rhône-Alpes with more than 40 artists and four different stages. Lavender Festival (Fête de la Lavande) Ferrassières (Rhone-Alps) July 9 to 10, 2016 www.fete-lavande.com The magical blue-purple flower is the special object of admiration during this annual festival in Ferrassières, the capital of fine lavender. Cycling Tour de France Ardèche, Drôme, Ain, Savoie Mont Blanc July 15 to 23, 2016 with 6 different stages in Rhones Alpes www.letour.fr July 15 in Bourg Saint Andéol – Caverne du Pont d’Arc July 16 in Montélimar – Villars-les-Dombes July 17 in Bourg-en-Bresse – Culoz July 21 in Sallanches – Megève July 22 in Albertville – Saint-Gervais-Mont-Blanc July 23 in Megève - Morzine Annecy Lake Celebration Annecy – Savoie Mont Blanc 1st Saturday of August www.lac-annecy.com A pyrotechnic extravaganza on the Annecy Lake with fireworks and cruise ships enlightened.
Reblochon Festival (Fête du Reblochon) La Clusaz (Rhone-Alps) Mid-August www.laclusaz.com Artisans and farmers hold the place of honor amid parade floats, activities, bread-making and folk dances. Festival Berlioz La Côte Saint André – Isère (Rhone-Alps) End of August www.festivalberlioz.com It is a one of the rare Symphonic Music Festival in France. It takes place at La Côte-Saint-André, home town of the romantic composer Hector Berlioz. Contemporary Art Biennial / Dance Biennial Lyon (Rhone-Alps) Mid-September to January, odd years for art and even years for dance www.biennale-de-lyon.org The Biennale d’Art Contemporain was started in 1991 by Thierry Raspail and Thierry Prat. It occurs only during odd years, alternating with the Biennale de la Danse. Festival of Italian Cinema Annecy – Savoie Mont Blanc (Rhones Alps) September 2016 www.annecycinemaitalien.com Trailer showing of italian movies. Festival Lumière Lyon - Rhône 10 – 16 Octobre Entièrement consacré à l’histoire du cinéma, ce festival organisé par l’Institut Lumière s’adresse aux cinéphiles et au grand public et a pour ambition de sensibiliser à l’importance de ce que l’on appelle le septième art. Avec près de 200 films majeurs projetés dans de nombreux lieux du Grand Lyon Métropole. www.festival-lumiere.org Beaujolais Nouveau Festival (Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu) Beaujeu (Rhone-Alps) November 17, 2016 www.beaujolais.com The Beaujolais Nouveau festival not to be missed is Sarmentelles de Beaujeu, which hopes to become the international rendezvous for drinking this wine Light Show in Lyon (Fête des Lumières) Lyon (Rhone-Alps) Around December 8, 2016 www.lumieres.lyon.fr Wrapped around December 8 – a night during which more than 150 citizens of Lyon decorate their windows with tea lights – artists and creators of all disciplines complete work on ephemeral pieces associated with the light RIVIERA A New City Tour About Cannes and Film Fridays at 2:30pm (and 9:15am in July and August) Cannes (Riviera) www.cannes-destination.com The Cannes Tourist Office has launched a second city tour focused on film history. Called 'Cannes and Film: A Glamorous Tandem,' it is a novel way to discover the city in 90 minutes, told through offbeat anecdotes and secret locations. In nine segments, from the red-carpeted steps of the Film Festival to the famous murals paying homage to the world of cinema, this tour touches on the silver screen's biggest names as well as iconic locations used as the backdrop for many cult films. Nice Carnaval Nice (Riviera) February 12-28, 2016 www.nicecarnaval.com Carnival floats topped with giant heads, elegant flower battles, glamorous soirées, shows and fireworks give Nice even greater-than-usual appeal during the three weeks of its annual Carnaval. The 2015 theme: King of Music. 83rd Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron) Menton (Riviera) February 13 - March 2, 2016 www.feteducitron.com The Biovès Gardens play host to giant displays composed of citrus fruits. Parades of giant-headed figurines decorated with golden fruit ride on floats covered in oranges and lemons. These are just a couple of the festival's highlights. Don't miss the International Orchid Festival (Festival International d’Orchidées) and the Menton Country Crafts Show (Salon de l'Artisanat du Pays Mentonnais). Mimosa Festival (Fête du Mimosa) Mandelieu - La Napoule (Riviera) February 17-24, 2016 www.ot-mandelieu.fr The mimosa, symbol of Mandelieu, adorns just about everything during this festival's afternoon and evening parades and musical spectacles. Mandelieu is one stop along the 80-mile Route du Mimosa, which provides an excellent reason to discover the Côte d'Azur in winter. 32nd Springtime Arts Festival (Printemps des Arts) Monaco (Riviera) March 19 - April 10, 2016 www.printempsdesarts.com This festival features a selection of musical events, as well as theater, film, visual arts and dance happenings. Cannes Shopping Festival Cannes (Riviera) March 25-28, 2016 www.cannesshoppingfestival.com Cannes keeps to the beat of major French and foreign brands' fashion shows. Many events are also organized around the theme of fashion. 9th Antibes Yacht Show Antibes (Riviera) April 24-25, 2016 www.antibesyachtshow.com This luxury exhibition set in Europe's leading marina showcases nearly 120 boats, both new and used, as well as all of the services and products related to yachting. 44th Antibes Art Fair, Antiques Show Antibes Juan-les-Pins (Riviera) April, 2016 www.salon-antiquaires-antibes.com This major meeting of antique collectors, enthusiasts and bargain hunters is the most anticipated one of the year, organized by exhibitors coming from all over Europe. 69th Cannes Festival Cannes (Riviera) May 11 to 22, 2016 www.festival-cannes.com The most important film event in the world. Every year, the biggest international stars climb the steps of the world-famous Cannes Palais to share their films with critics and industry professionals. The Festival de Cannes is second only to the Olympics as the most publicized event in the world. 74th Grand Prix of Monaco Monaco (Riviera) May 26-29, 2016 www.grand-prix-monaco.com One of the oldest and most prestigious car races along a city circuit, first conceived in 1929. Electronic Beaches (Les Plages Electroniques) Cannes (Riviera) July to August, 2016 (Exact Dates TBD) www.plages-electroniques.com This electronic music festival transforms the beach of the Cannes Palais into a giant temporary dance floor during themed evening events. 11th Stars of Mougins (Les Etoiles de Mougins) Mougins (Riviera) September (Exact Date TBD) www.lesetoilesdemougins.com Mougins is transformed every year by this food and lifestyle festival. Sensory, culinary and wine workshops, as well as cooking demonstrations are all part of the initiation process. Mediterranean Flavors and Food Show (Salon des Saveurs et Terroirs en Méditerranée) Mandelieu (Riviera) November (Exact Date TBD) www.ot-mandelieu.fr Festive food products, gastronomy, and culinary and wine activities are on the program of this three-day show at the Centre Expo Congrès. Nice-Cannes Maritime Alps Marathon Nice to Cannes (Riviera) November (Exact Date TBD) www.marathon06.com The Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes is the flagship sports event of the Maritime Alps. The 26.2 miles of coastal course overlook the sea's blue waters from Nice to Cannes.

Contact

Benjamin Le Hay
Atout France