Holiday Guides > What to visit > Festivals and Events in France
Festivals and Events in France
The French love a festival. So why not join them, and explore traditional and modern local events, fairs, festivals and celebrations during your next holiday to France.
Find out about all the wonderful events across France using our event guide below:
(N.B. Event dates are subject to change by the relevant tourist offices but were accurate at the time of being published on the website. We would advise you to contact the local tourist office before travelling.)
2012 festivals and events calendar
2011
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Limoux Carnival - Aude
15 Jan 2012 - 25 Mar 2012
The Limoux Carnival is a tradition that has been followed for centuries. The torch lit evening procession is more mystical and an astonishing sight for the uninitiated.
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Aix-en-Baroque (Baroque Music Festival) - Aix-en-Provence
18 Sep 2011 - 14 Feb 2012
The ensemble is devoted to the recreation and diffusion of the Baroque musical heritage. The group, which includes 30 choir members is passionate about Baroque.
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Ice-Skating at the Hôtel de Ville - Paris
01 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012
Each winter, a large ice-rink is constructed outside the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Wrapped up in scarf and gloves, skating is the perfect activity to enjoy on a cool winters day. This free experience is open to everyone.
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LAWRENCE WEINER - After crossing the river and VIK MUNIZ – Imaginary Museum - Vaucluse
10 Dec 2011 - 13 May 2012
This winter, the Collection Lambert in Avignon presents a double exhibition devoted to Lawrence Weiner and Vik Muniz.
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Limoux Carnival - Aude
15 Jan 2012 - 25 Mar 2012
The Limoux Carnival is a tradition that has been followed for centuries. The torch lit evening procession is more mystical and an astonishing sight for the uninitiated.
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Fête de la violette (The Violet Festival) - Haute-Garonne
04 Feb 2012 - 05 Feb 2012
Violets, the emblem of Toulouse, have been grown by market gardeners since the 19th Century. Each year, the town gets together to celebrate the little lilac flower and everything associated with it.
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The Old Book Market - Aix-en-Provence
05 Feb 2012 - 05 Feb 2012
A delightful old book fair is held on the first Sunday of every month at Place de l'Hotel de Ville, in the historic, university town of Aix-en Provence.
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Brocante Market - Bergerac
05 Feb 2012 - 05 Feb 2012
Every month, in the attractive town square, Bergerac holds a traditional bric-a-brac fair. Popular with tourists as well as locals, come and discover a treasure for yourself.
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Lovers' Festival, Roquemaure - Gard
11 Feb 2012 - 12 Feb 2012
Loved-up couples will find Valentines's Day extra special if they visit the town of Roquemaure, in the heart of Côtes-du-Rhone wine country. The town oozes love at it's annual 'Lovers' Festival', which dates back to the 1860's.
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Puces de Brest (Flea Market) - Brest
11 Feb 2012 - 11 Feb 2012
Puces de Brest flea market takes place on the second Saturday of every month in the town of Brest. Streets around Les Halles Saint-Louis are lined with stalls.
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The Wall of Love (Le Mur des je t'aime) - Paris
14 Feb 2012 - 14 Feb 2012
Paris is famous for its sites: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and ..... The Wall of Love. Le Mur des je t'aime stands proudly in the Square Jehan Rictus, in the attractive part of North Paris, Butte Montmartre and displays messages of love.
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Menton Lemon Festival - Alpes-Maritimes
17 Feb 2012 - 07 Mar 2012
The quaint seaside town of Menton hosts this huge celebration of lemons. A fantastic aroma of citrus fills the streets for the duration of this colourful annual festival.
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Games Festival - Cannes
17 Feb 2012 - 19 Feb 2012
Games of every variety are played and displayed at this annual show in Cannes' Palais des Festivals.
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Nice Carnival - Alpes-Maritimes
17 Feb 2012 - 04 Mar 2012
One of the best winter events on the French Riviera is the Nice Carnival. A fortnight of festivities and celebrations dominate the city streets. The mix of carnival processions, flower parades, prestige soirées, concerts and fireworks, attract over a million spectators each year. This year sees the 128th edition of the carnival.
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International Agricultural Show - Paris
25 Feb 2012 - 04 Mar 2012
This annual show is a real institution in France. Various exhibits feature gastronomic delicacies from 22 French regions.
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34th edition of the Les Hivernales Dance Festival
25 Feb 2012 - 03 Mar 2012
For this 34th edition of the contemporary dance festival Les Hivernales Dance festival takes the audience on a journey to Asia. This year’s festival has invited choreographers an dancers from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Laos and China, and of course France.
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Aix-en-Baroque (Baroque Music Festival) - Aix-en-Provence
18 Sep 2011 - 14 Feb 2012
The ensemble is devoted to the recreation and diffusion of the Baroque musical heritage. The group, which includes 30 choir members is passionate about Baroque.
-
Ice-Skating at the Hôtel de Ville - Paris
01 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012
Each winter, a large ice-rink is constructed outside the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Wrapped up in scarf and gloves, skating is the perfect activity to enjoy on a cool winters day. This free experience is open to everyone.
-
LAWRENCE WEINER - After crossing the river and VIK MUNIZ – Imaginary Museum - Vaucluse
10 Dec 2011 - 13 May 2012
This winter, the Collection Lambert in Avignon presents a double exhibition devoted to Lawrence Weiner and Vik Muniz.
-
Limoux Carnival - Aude
15 Jan 2012 - 25 Mar 2012
The Limoux Carnival is a tradition that has been followed for centuries. The torch lit evening procession is more mystical and an astonishing sight for the uninitiated.
-
Menton Lemon Festival - Alpes-Maritimes
17 Feb 2012 - 07 Mar 2012
The quaint seaside town of Menton hosts this huge celebration of lemons. A fantastic aroma of citrus fills the streets for the duration of this colourful annual festival.
-
Nice Carnival - Alpes-Maritimes
17 Feb 2012 - 04 Mar 2012
One of the best winter events on the French Riviera is the Nice Carnival. A fortnight of festivities and celebrations dominate the city streets. The mix of carnival processions, flower parades, prestige soirées, concerts and fireworks, attract over a million spectators each year. This year sees the 128th edition of the carnival.
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International Agricultural Show - Paris
25 Feb 2012 - 04 Mar 2012
This annual show is a real institution in France. Various exhibits feature gastronomic delicacies from 22 French regions.
-
34th edition of the Les Hivernales Dance Festival
25 Feb 2012 - 03 Mar 2012
For this 34th edition of the contemporary dance festival Les Hivernales Dance festival takes the audience on a journey to Asia. This year’s festival has invited choreographers an dancers from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Laos and China, and of course France.
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Paris Half Marathon
04 Mar 2012 - 04 Mar 2012
Some 25,000 runners take part each year in Paris' Half Marathon. The 21.1km circuit begins and ends at l'Esplanade du Château de Vincennes in the Parc Floral.
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Poets' Springtime - Paris
05 Mar 2012 - 18 Mar 2012
Over 5000 events send Paris poetry mad for a fortnight. Events take place in the Capitals' streets, cafés, markets, stations, schools and museums. This annual event is now in its 14th year.
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Asian Film Festival - Calvados
07 Mar 2012 - 11 Mar 2012
The annual Asian Film Festival (Festival du Film Asiatique), celebrates the finest Asian films of the moment. A variety of films ranging from cult to contemporary are applauded and awards are given to the best. Now in its 14th year, the festival has earnt the nickname the "Asian Oscars".
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International Comedy Film Festival - Star of Laughter - Rhone Alps
17 Mar 2012 - 22 Mar 2012
The International Comedy Film festival runs for a week and shows a selection of 8 new feature films in various venues across the Alpine resort.
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Black Pudding Fair - Orne
17 Mar 2012 - 19 Mar 2012
The Festival du Boudin (Black Pudding Fair) is over 50 years old and is held annually in Mortagne au Perche. Over 100 exhibitors, traders, artisans and butchers make this event, with more that five kilometres of black pudding being sold!
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Avignon Motor Festival - Vaucluse
23 Mar 2012 - 25 Mar 2012
Avignon's Motor Festival, now in its 10th year, is held every year at the Parc des Expositions, features 900 vehicles, 350 exhibitors and 110 clubs and attracts more than 30,000 visitors every year.
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LAWRENCE WEINER - After crossing the river and VIK MUNIZ – Imaginary Museum - Vaucluse
10 Dec 2011 - 13 May 2012
This winter, the Collection Lambert in Avignon presents a double exhibition devoted to Lawrence Weiner and Vik Muniz.
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Kite Festival - Charente-Maritime
07 Apr 2012 - 16 Apr 2012
One of the season's earliest big kite festivals along the Atlantic coast.
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International Kite Festival - Pas de Calais
07 Apr 2012 - 15 Apr 2012
Berck sur Mer hosts Europe's biggest kite festival, bringing together kite flyers from China, Australia, the United States and all of Europe.
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Paris Marathon
15 Apr 2012 - 15 Apr 2012
The Paris marathon is run over a spectacular course taking in some of the city's most famous landmarks.
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Lake Annecy Marathon
15 Apr 2012 - 15 Apr 2012
The Lake Annecy marathon is one of the fastest-growing and most spectacular in France. Fresh mountain air and breath-taking lakeside scenery attract participants of all ages. This is the 31st Anniversary of the marathon.
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LAWRENCE WEINER - After crossing the river and VIK MUNIZ – Imaginary Museum - Vaucluse
10 Dec 2011 - 13 May 2012
This winter, the Collection Lambert in Avignon presents a double exhibition devoted to Lawrence Weiner and Vik Muniz.
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May Day in Paris
01 May 2012 - 01 May 2012
May Day in France is more strictly observed than Christmas or New Year. In Paris, everything except the Eiffel Tower closes down on 1 May for La Fête du Travail (Labour Day). The main Unions parade through the working class area of Eastern Paris.
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LAWRENCE WEINER - After crossing the river and VIK MUNIZ – Imaginary Museum - Vaucluse
10 Dec 2011 - 13 May 2012
This winter, the Collection Lambert in Avignon presents a double exhibition devoted to Lawrence Weiner and Vik Muniz.
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Les Voiles d'Antibes (Yacht Regatta) - Mediterranean
01 Jun 2012 - 30 Jun 2012
The atmosphere in Port Vauban and the old town of Antibes is not to be missed when the Voiles d'Antibes marks the grand opening of the Mediterranean Classic Yachts Regatta Season in Antibes. There will be cocktails, live music, barbecues and many other surprises onshore.
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Cavalcade - La Rochelle
02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012
Two days of flamboyant celebration in La Rochelle's streets this summer. There will be fanfare, parades and music, brass bands, family entertainment and a party vibe.
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Festival de Marseille
09 Jun 2012 - 21 Jul 2012
This event is certainly worth visiting and making one of the high points of your holiday. It's a culture vulture's paradise, with performances ranging from contemporary dance, theatre and music to classic film.
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Festival de Marseille
09 Jun 2012 - 21 Jul 2012
This event is certainly worth visiting and making one of the high points of your holiday. It's a culture vulture's paradise, with performances ranging from contemporary dance, theatre and music to classic film.
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Provençal Festival - Avignon
01 Jul 2012 - 31 Jul 2012
The local culture is still strong in this part of the country and Avignon celebrates its Provençal heritage during this three-week festival.
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Evian Masters - Rhone-Alpes
20 Jul 2012 - 28 Jul 2012
The Evian Masters is one of the greatest and most important International Women's golf tournaments of any American or European tours. It features 90 of the best players in the world and offers a grand prize of $3,250,000!
We do not have any information about events during August 2012.
Try broadening your selection or selecting a different month, or if you know about an event we have missed tell us about it here!
We do not have any information about events during September 2012.
Try broadening your selection or selecting a different month, or if you know about an event we have missed tell us about it here!
We do not have any information about events during October 2012.
Try broadening your selection or selecting a different month, or if you know about an event we have missed tell us about it here!
We do not have any information about events during November 2012.
Try broadening your selection or selecting a different month, or if you know about an event we have missed tell us about it here!
We do not have any information about events during December 2012.
Try broadening your selection or selecting a different month, or if you know about an event we have missed tell us about it here!
