One of the great delights of France as a holiday destination is the constant parade of festivals, fairs and events. Here are three of the biggest that you can join in this April – but don’t forget that every region of France has its own timetable of local events.

Our owners have great local knowledge, so if you’re booking accommodation be sure to ask the owner what’s on during your visit. You might be pleasantly surprised!

The Paris Marathon is run on 12th April, starting on the Champs-Élysées and boasting as much excitement and bonhomie as the London version. Want to take in some sightseeing as well? If you’ve already explored all the familiar sites like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, then visit the Rodin Museum and Galeries Lafayette Department Store where the architecture as beautifully French as the stylish goods on offer.

The Etauliers Asparagus Festival is held on 25-26th  April. Etauliers is in south west France – north of Bordeaux and this very French event, which attracts 12,000 visitors, brings together each year 60 gourmet exhibitors and includes concerts, asparagus and wine tastings, workshops, tours of the asparagus cooperative, and a giant asparagus omelette.

Bourges Spring Music festival takes place 25 to 29th April in the Loire Valley town. Every form of music from rap to opera, the world’s most famous artists and the most promising young talent. You’ll find them all here. The festivities explode from midday to dawn in ten concert halls which are adapted to every type of music and audience. The 60 or so concerts present over 200 artists. The venues, for audiences of between 300 and 6500, are under cover and heated. All are in the vicinity of the town centre, with its stalls, bars, restaurants, attractions and three free outdoor stages where groups perform all day long.