Versailles: A City for All
The Gay Games are set to take over Paris this summer with a mountain biking event leading the event near the city of Versailles. Versailles is just 5.5 miles north of the Golf National, the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup that will take place on September 28 to 30, 2018.
Toulouse: A City for Science
Toulouse is known for the Cité de l’Espace (Space Museum), the site of the Airbus Industries and The Aeroscopia Museum. This year Toulouse will be the first French city to be named the European City of Science by EuroScience. Created in 2004, this biennial European forum brings together over 4 000 researchers, educators, business actors, policy makers and journalists from all over the world to discuss breakthroughs in science. The 8th edition of ESOF will take place in Toulouse, France, 14 July 9 to 14,2018.
Saint-Etienne: A City for Design
Saint-Étienne is a constantly-changing city, driven by the relationship between art and industry for more than two centuries. From the industrial city to the visionary city, Saint-Etienne makes "living together" the common denominator of all its actions. Saint-Etienne is a UNESCO City of Design since 2010, strengthening a network strategy developed by the notoriety of its higher school of art and design, the success of the International Design Biennial since 1998, and the pole of excellence represented by La Cité du Design since 2009.
Rennes: A City for Contemporary Art
Les Ateliers de Rennes – a contemporary art biennale provides an opportunity to examine crucial issues of the day – work, value, and foresight. It is also the occasion for researchers and intellectuals to analyse the challenges presented, serving as a sounding board for the works of art. This year’s Biennial will take place in the Fall.
Nîmes: Past Meets Present
A little to the West, in the sister region now known as Occitania, the city of Nimes will welcome a new museum. Nimes is notable for its well preserved Roman sites and edifices, including the Maison Carrée, its two-tiered 2000-year old amphitheater and the nearby Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. Opening June 2, 2018, the Musée de la Romanité will be dedicated to the Roman civilization.
Nice: A City For Jazz
The first jazz festival created in Nice in 1948, the Nice Jazz Festival will take place from July 16 to 21, 2018 and has international renown. The 70th edition will feature Gregory Porter, Massive Attack, Orelsan, Parov Stelar, Jack Johnson, Rag'N'Bone Man, Melanie Biasio, Randy Weston's African Quintet, Sons of Kemet, Rodha Scott, Soulwax. The picturesque sea-side city of Nice will welcome a new tram line making it easier to get to the airport.
Nantes & Nancy: A City for Sports
Two French cities will act as host cities of this year’s European Women's Handball Championship—November 29 to December 16, 2018.
Montpellier: A City for Transportation
The Contournement Nîmes – Montpellier , also known as the LGV Nîmes–Montpellier is a high-speed railway line under construction, bypassing the cities of Nîmes and Montpellier in southern France; the Nîmes and Montpellier bypass aims to provide passengers with more frequent regional train services (30% more regional trains) and reduce the travelling time for national and international trips. Opening in July this year.
Learn more at www.montpellier-france.com
Marseille: A City for Love
Launched on Valentine’s day in Marseille – the MP 2018 Quel Amour Festival continues til September. Parents, children, friends, lovers: Embrace yourself for an unforgettable experience, marked by one and the same gesture of love: a kiss.
Clermont-Ferrand: A City for Racing
2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the Charade Racetrack – A challenging motorcar racetrack around an extinct volcano.
Learn more at www.clermontferrandtourism.com
Bordeaux: A City of Museums
Bordeaux is already home to the Cité de Vin – this summer marks the partial inauguration of the Musée de la Mer et de la Marine/Maritime & Sea Museum on June 15, 2018. The first major temporary exhibition will be dedicated to Claude Monet, in partnership with the Marmottan Monet Museum. Update: Please note that only the room dedicated to the exhibit will be open. The inauguration of the museum itself and completion of the other wings and permanent exhibition spaces has been postponed to early 2019 Additional June 5 update: The Monet exhibition has been postponed to an undisclosed date
Angers: A City for Dance
The National Center for Contemporary Dance - CNDC - was created in 1978 at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture and the City of Angers. 2018 marks its 40th anniversary. Designed as a school of choreographers and the headquarters of a permanent company, the Contemporary Dance Center is led by Robert Swinston.
Amiens: A City of Tours
Amiens, also a World Heritage travel destination in France, boasts of a host of treasures awaiting your discovery, including the cathedral and Belfry, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, the hortillonnages gardens, Jules Verne’s house and the Saint-Leu district on the very edge of the water, all set in surroundings ideal to explore on foot or by bike. This year the 8th stage of the Tour de France will arrive in Amiens for Bastille Day, July 14th.
Aix-en-Provence: A City for Classic Music & Arts
This year the Festival d'Aix will celebrate its 70th anniversary, the 20th anniversary of the Académie and the 10th anniversary of Passerelles (the Festival's educative and community activities). The Festival will take place in July with the opening of “Monet & the Sea”.