2021 Events & Anniversaries

Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Brittany
Jazz a Juan | Juan-les-Pins
Press release

Major Anniversaries

Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – From January 17, 2020

January 17, 2020 was the kick-off of the MAMAC's 30th anniversary. A series of events and exhibitions are taking place to punctuate throughout the year to celebrate.

Rouen, Normandy – Starting in December 2020

Normandy, and Rouen in particular, will celebrate starting this December and through 2021, the bicentennial of the birth of native son Gustave Flaubert, author of the masterpiece Madame Bovary, through various exhibitions, guided and virtual tours, documentaries and more. Program will soon be available on the Rouen Tourist Office website.

Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – From July 9 to 25, 2021

With additional swing, the major festival known as Jazz à Juan will celebrate its 60th anniversary next July. One of Europe’s oldest festivals, Jazz à Juan has hosted the greats from Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Miles Davis to Sarah Vaughan, Jessie Norman and Wynton Marsalis — just to name a few. All performers, both past and current, take the Jazz World’s most beautiful stage — La Pinède Gould and its backdrop, the Mediterranean Sea.

Brittany – From August 6 to 15, 2021

The region of Brittany is well-known for its Celtic heritage and from August 6 to 15 of 2021, 700, 000 visitors are expected to attend the 50th edition of the Festival Interceltique de Lorient witness and listen to spectacular Celtic music and traditions for which the region is known. Lorient is a 3hour ride by TGV from Paris.

Nice, Côte d’Azur – 2021

2021 will be marked by the 80th anniversary of the city of Nice’s Bellet wines and their classification as an “Appellation d’Origine Protegée” (A.O.P.), It is notable that the vineyards which produce Bellet are within the city limits.

And in case you were wondering :

200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Baudelaire (April 9, 1821 – August 31, 1867 in Paris)

150th annviersary of the birth of Marcel Proust (July 10, 1871 – November 18, 1922 in Paris)

300th anniversary of the birth of Madame de Pompadour — one of the Sun King’s most renowned mistresses (December 29, 1721 in Paris – April 15, 1764 in Versailles)

MAJOR EVENTS

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes – December 5 to 8 2020

During the Lyon’s Festival of Lights, a variety of different artists light up buildings, streets, squares and parks all over the city for four nights. Over 40 light and digital installations create a magical atmosphere.

Angoulême, Nouvelle-Aquitaine – January 28 to 31, 2021

The International Comics Festival of Angoulême, the second-largest comicstrip festival in Europe, and the third-largest in the world welcomes every year more than 200,000 visitors each year, including 6,000 to 7,000 professionals and 800 journalists. The four-day festival is also notable for awarding several prestigious industry prizes.

Centre-Val de Loire – June 12 to July 10, 2021

From Italy to Scandinavia, from Spain to the borders of Russia, from Persia to Jerusalem, Les Traversées Music Festival at the Abbaye de Noirlac opens the great book of universal music, past and present. To be discovered or rediscovered, the music is transmitted thanks to the crossed and contemporary vision of exceptional musicians.

Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine – June 17 to 20, 2021

The Bordeaux Wine festival the largest wine festival in Europe, will take place along the banks of the Garonne in June 2021. In this edition, the festive Bordeaux Wine festival will once again be complementing the tasting of wines from the Bordeaux and Nouvelle Aquitaine region with the presence of various tall ships moored along the river front during the festival. Visitors are invited to tour the open-air stalls, meet winegrowers, sample their wines, visit the gourmet food stalls, board the tall ships and more.

Fete de la Musique Throughout France – June 21, 2021

On June 21, day of the summer solstice, free concerts are organized all over France to celebrate music. Bands are also playing in streets, regardless of the city’s size, helping to familiarize young and old from all walks of life with all forms of musical expression.

Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine – June 22 to 28, 2021

The Robocup, the world championship of robotic and artificial intelligence, brings together every year thousands of participants forming hundreds of teams from about 50 countries. It is one of the world’s most important technology events for robotics research and education.

Vienne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes – June 23 to July 10, 2021

Since its creation 40 years ago, the Festival Jazz à Vienne has been celebrating the world of jazz during the first two weeks of July. Every year over 200,000 festivalgoers flock to see 1000 artists appear on 4 stages.

Colmar, Alsace – July 3 to 14, 2021

The Colmar International Festival , under the artistic direction of Vladimir Spivakov adheres to demanding standards to attain veritable international renown – attracting musicians and ensembles of the highest level and organizing a well thought-out and well-planned schedule of events.

Arles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – July 5 to September 26, 2021

Every summer, over the course of more than forty exhibitions at various exceptional heritage sites throughout the city, the Rencontres d’Arles has been a major influence in showcasing the best of world photography and playing the role of a springboard for photographic and contemporary creative talents.

Nice, Côte d’Azur – July 12 to 17, 2021

The Nice Jazz Festivall, which has been a long favored tradition of the residents of Nice, will come back next July for a fantastic event that cannot be missed, where each form of jazz, each tendency has its own place.

Marciac, Occitanie – July 2021

The Festival Jazz In Marciac will take place next July (exact dates to be confirmed) in Marciac and as always with a great program and lineup. The festival’s Ambassador, jazz great Wynton Marsalis, has been performing there every year since 1991

Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – July 2021

The Aix-en-Provence Festival, one of the most famous classical music and opera festivals in France, takes place each year in July, attracting major European orchestras and top conductors.

Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – July 2021

Ever since the 1940s, the Festival d’Avignon, France’s most important theater festival, is held every year in July. The majestic Palais des Papes, the largest medieval gothic palace in the world, provides the backdrop for a festival which takes over the entire town with performances on the streets, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Orange, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – July 2021

Les Chorégies d’Orange, world famous opera festival, staged in the exceptional location of the UNESCO listed 1st century AD Roman amphitheater at Orange. The Chorégies d’Orange—with a program of operas, ballets and recitals, is the oldest French festival and the world’s oldest opera festival. It dates back to 1869, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019

Rennes, Brittany – Summer 2021

Contemporary art extravaganza during the Summer of 2021 in Rennes, capital of Brittany, featuring an exhibition of works from the acclaimed Pinault Collection.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine – September 11, 2021

The Medoc Marathons is a festive event held every year on the second Saturday of September, through the vineyards of the Médoc.

Deauville, Normandy – September 2021

The American Film Festival highlights the diversity of American cinema, from major Hollywood productions to independent films. It is the only European festival of this scale to open its doors to the public, presenting each year more than a hundred films and attended by major American actors and stars.

Contact

Marion Fourestier
Atout France-The France Tourism Development Agency