France events diary

Holidaying in Europe gives you the great opportunity of experiencing many local events and festivities. We have selected a variety of events taking place across Europe this year, so for an introduction to these events and a list of the nearest parcs, please click on the country you are travelling to below.

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Chateau de Blois Spectacular

March - September
The Château de Blois is one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture in the Loire. The story of its fabulous history is told in a sound and light spectacular (Son et Lumière) with several famous actors playing their parts.

Nearby parcs:
Le Château de Marais (Chambord)
Parc des Alicourts (Pierrefitte)
Parc de Fierbois (Tours)

Strawberry Festival

May (annual)
The Strawberry Festival is held annually in the town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and amuses both locals and visitors alike. There is everything from markets selling strawberries to strawberry related products and local delicacies, but the main attraction is the building of a giant strawberry tart!

Nearby parcs:
St Avit Loisirs (Le Bugue)
La Palombière (Sarlat)

International Garden Festival

Late April - Mid October 2012
The International Garden Festival is France's answer to the Chelsea Flower Show with its 30 show gardens set in the beautiful grounds of the château at Chaumont-sur-Loire. Each year the festival has a theme. As well as the spectacular display of gardens there are cafés and shops to add to the event.

Nearby parcs:
Le Château de Marais (Chambord)
Parc des Alicourts (Pierrefitte)
Parc de Fierbois (Tours)

Tour de l'Ile de Ré

May (annual)
In May La Rochelle becomes home to one of the oldest nautical events in France, the Tour de l'Ile de Ré. Hundreds of yachts take part in the race from the mainland at La Rochelle around the rocky island.

Nearby parcs:
Le Littoral (Talmont St Hilaire)
Bel (La Tranche sur Mer)
La Forêt (St Julien de Landes)
La Garangeoire (St Julien de Landes)
Les Ecureuils (St Hilaire de Riez)
Sol à Gogo (St Hilaire de Riez)
La Yole (St Jean Plage)
Le Clarys Plage (St Jean Plage)
Les Genêts (St Jean Plage)
L'Océano d'Or (Jard sur Mer)

Cannes Film Festival

16 - 27 May 2012
Cannes is home to the biggest and most famous film festival in the world. Most of the action takes place at the famous Palais des Festivals, although screenings do take place all over the town. The beach is the place to see the starlets doing their thing. Some screenings are open to all to view.

Nearby parcs:
Esterel (St Raphaël)
Douce Quiètude (St Raphaël)
La Pachacaïd (Canadel)
La Baume (Fréjus)

French Open

May - June
The French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, is one of the biggest sporting events in France. For two weeks the 500 best tennis players in the world battle it out on the clay courts of the famous Roland Garros Stadium.

Nearby parcs:
Paris International (Paris)

Art Rock Festival

May (annual)
The Art Rock Festival, held in Saint-Brieuc, combines modern music with performance art. It is a refreshingly new type of event presenting both international stars and established artists such as Youssou'N Dour and Moby.

Nearby parcs:
Les Mouettes: Carantec 
Château des Ormes: Dol de Bretagne

Printemps des Comédiens

June - July (annual)
The Printemps des Comédiens seeks to pick out the very best in theatre for a month-long extravaganza. Festival director Daniel Bedos is renowned in the theatre world, and in his hands festivalgoers can be assured of quality.

Nearby parcs:
Club Farret (Vias Plage)
Les Sablons (Portiragnes Plage)

Les Epicuriales

Mid May 2012
Les Epicuriales is an invitation to hundreds of thousands of visitors and locals to drink, dance and be merry. There is a street festival atmosphere with restaurants spilling out onto the terraces and musicians playing amongst them. In the middle of it all is the all important tent housing world and local wines.

Nearby parcs:
Domaine de la Rive (Biscarosse)

Le Mans 24 Hour Car Race

16 & 17 June 2012
Le Mans 24 hour race is a race of endurance. This illustrious event has a great history which is as much of an attraction as the motorsport for the thousands of tourists that visit each year. Owners and drivers from prestigious companies enter and are watched by spectators who often enjoy the sights from their accommodation.

Nearby parcs:
Parc de Fierbois (Tours)
Le Château de Marais (Chambord)

Anjou Theatre Festival

June - July (annual)
The Anjou theatre festival is a high quality affair presenting its productions against the backdrop of regional châteaux and monuments. The variety of performances, from the modern and the classical to those for parents and children, are chosen in order to promote Anjou theatre to a large audience.

Nearby parcs:
Parc de Fierbois (Tours)
L'Etang de la Brèche (Saumur)

Montpellier Dance Festival

22 June - 7 July 2012
Montpellier Dance Festival returns to various venues across the city between June and July of this year. It is one of Europe's premier dance events and each year a theme is chosen. Details for 2012 are yet to be confirmed.

Nearby parcs:
Club Farret (Vias Plage)
Les Sablons (Portiragnes Plage)

National Brass Band Competition

1 - 3 June 2012
The National Brass Band competition is an extravaganza for all who compete. 30 French brass bands meet in the town of Amboise at the Théatre Beaumarchais. Concerts are performed both indoors and out and there are street artists too.

Nearby parcs:
Le Château de Marais (Chambord)
Parc des Alicourts (Pierrefitte)
Parc de Fierbois (Tours)
L'Etang de la Brèche (Saumur)

The Night of a Thousand Fireworks

July (annual)
Les Nuits des Mille Feux, held annually, light up the magical gardens of Villandry Château with 2000 candles. Lit just as the sun begins to set, the candles burn on until after midnight in the beautiful grounds of the Loire's most famous château. Baroque music, played live by strolling musicians, adds to the mystical atmosphere during this quintessential Loire experience.

Nearby parcs:
Le Château de Marais (Chambord)
Parc des Alicourts (Pierrefitte)
Parc de Fierbois (Tours)
L'Etang de la Brèche (Saumur)

Les Tombées de la Nuit

July (annual)
The lively town of Rennes hosts a series of musical encounters, light and sound shows in the medieval city centre every July. Young musicians, poets and storytellers turn the town of Rennes into their stage. Even the restaurants get involved in turning the streets into a truly festive atmosphere.

Nearby parcs:
Château des Ormes (Dol de Bretagne)

Cyrano's Table Food and Wine Fair

July
The Cyrano's Table is a gastronomic fair that welcomes visitors and locals alike to taste delicious local specialities and regional tipples. In the heart of Bergerac restaurateurs, cooks and enthusiastic eaters meet in the town square to partake in the afternoon and evening events and a fireworks display finishes the event off on Bastille Day.

Nearby parcs:
St Avit Loisirs (Le Bugue)
La Palombière (Sarlat)

Sim Copans

July (annual)
The Sim Copans or Souillac Jazz Festival features musicians from around the world.

Nearby parcs:
St Avit Loisirs (Le Bugue)
La Palombière (Sarlat)

Fête de la Musique, Paris

21 June 2012
A monster musical celebration all over this lovely city. Professionals mix with amateurs playing different sounds in different locations. Everywhere you go you'll hear music, from opera to jazz. The Fête unites big names at major venues with accordionists on street corners and choirs in church halls. All concerts are free.

Nearby Parcs:
La Criox du Vieux Pont (Berny Rivière)
Paris International (Paris)

Festival d'Avignon, Avignon

July (annual)
A dynamic and diverse Arts festival, boasting over 50 official productions and many more fringes in this stunning historic city. The festival plays host to some of the world's best directors and theatre companies, showing opera, dance and music performances.

Nearby Parcs:
Domaine de Massereau (Sommières)

Les Orientales Festival, Saint-Florent-Le-Vieil

June - July (annual)
Every June the ancient Loire town of St Florent le Vieil welcomes dancers, muscians, artisans and craftsmen from Central Asia to participate in a festival all the family can enjoy.

Nearby Parcs:
L'Étang de le Brèche (Saumur)
Parc de Fierbois (Tours)
Château des Ormes (Dol)
Le Mané Guernehué (Baden)
Le Clarys Plage (St Jean Plage)
Les Genêts (St Jean Plage)
La Yole (St Jean Plage)

Château de Chantilly, International Fireworks Competition, Chantilly (North of Paris)

June
Château de Chantilly is a 6,700 hectare property with a host of attractions to enjoy all year round. Every two years, the gardens lit up by extravagant firework displays as the pyrotechnic whizzkids of the world unite to compete for the title of Best International Firework Display. The event takes place over two nights and around 10 teams perform their shows each night. Cost: €12-€35; time: Gates open 8pm; fireworks 9.45pm-12am.

Nearby Parcs:
La Croix du Vieux Pont (Berny Rivière)
Château de Drancourt (St Valery)

Le Grand Pardon des Mariniers, Saint Jean de Losne, Burgandy

Late June
Known as France's largest inland waterways centre, Saint Jean de Losne's annual festival celebrates its aquatic heritage. A mass is said for the sailors, and the boats are blessed by the priest, sending them safely on their way. The vessels are lent old world charm with their decorations of flags and bunting and the sailors dressed in traditional nautical outfits. The whole of the town joins in with food stalls, performances, sea shanties and merriment.

Nearby Parcs:
Des Sources (Santenay)
Domaine de Chalain (Lac de Chalain)

Fête Saint Clair, Banneville-sur-Ajon, Normandy

Early July
The pretty village of Banneville-sur-Ajon in Normandy celebrates the donkey in its annual festival devoted to Saint Clair. Donkeys are paraded through the streets, children are given rides and, as ever with French celebrations, there's food and wine galore.

Nearby Parcs:
La Vallée (Houlgate)
La Cote de Nacre (St Aubin)
Château les Eaux (St Pair sur Mer)

Soirées Pyrotechniques, Cap d'Agde, Languedoc

Early July
Cap d'Agde stages five summer nights of glorious firework action to rival any in the world during the annual Soirées Pyrotechniques. Villagers and tourists alike gather together to marvel at the displays.

Nearby Parcs:
Domaine de Massereau (Sommières)
Club Farret (Vias Plage)
Domaine De La Yole (Valras Plage)
Les Sablons (Portiragnes Plage)

Fétes Médiévales de Bayeux, Bayeux, Normandy

July
The Fêtes Médiévales de Bayeux commemorates the Battle of Formigny, which was the final battle of the Hundred Years’ War. During the celebrations, there are costume parades, traditional dances and lots of singing as Bayeux goes back a few hundred years in time.

Nearby Parcs:
Le Vallée (Houlgate)
La Côte de Nacre (St Aubin)

Festival de la Mer et du Maquereau, Trouville-sur-Mer

July/August
Trouville-sur-Mer hosts an annual festival devoted to the town's thriving fishing industry and, in particular, the humble mackerel. Tastings are held throughout the week-end and the event ends in mass to bless and protect the sailors. The Saturday is a celebration of fishing, with sea shanties sung by local choirs and stalls set up along the harbour selling all things fishy. On the Sunday, visitors are invited to take trips in fishing vessels and try their hand at catching mackerel.

Nearby Parcs:
Le Vallée (Houlgate)
La Côte de Nacre (St Aubin)

Carcassonne Festival

Mid June – Mid August (annual)
The preserved medieval city of Carcassonne is always worth a visit, especially during the summer-long Carcassonne Festival. A mix of music, theatre and dance is performed among the walled city's historic buildings, including the Grand Théâtre and Basilique Saint-Nazaire. The 2010 programme included Bob Dylan, Simple Minds, Mika, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jamiroquai plus performances of Handel's Messiah and Bizet's Carmen.

Nearby Parcs:
Club Farret,
Domaine de Massereau,
Domaine De La Yole,
Les Sablons,
Cala Gogo

Auvergne Cheese and French Wine Fair

July (annual)
Every year the streets of Besse, in the shadow of Mont Dore, host a wine and cheese fair. Patrons can sample the Auvergne's four cheeses - St Nectaire, Cantal, Bleu de Laqueueille and Fourme d'Ambert - plus over 50 regional wines.

Nearby Parcs:
Les Tours

Fête du Jasmin

August (annual)
Grasse, the centre of France's perfume industry, is the birthplace of Chanel No 5. During the annual Jasminade, floats decorated with 150,000 flowers are led through the streets and local girls, dressed in jasmine flowers, throw blooms to spectators.

Nearby Parcs:
La Baume ,
Domaine du Colombier,
Holiday Green,
Domaine de la Noguiere

International Contemporary Mime Festival

August (annual)
Created in 1983, Périgueux's International Contemporary Mime Festival is one of the most important, with performances ranging from free shows in the Renaissance streets to elaborate productions at larger venues like Le Theatre, Le Palace and La Cour de la Visitation. There are also plenty of workshops for the dedicated mime enthusiast.

Nearby Parcs:
St. Avit Loisirs,
La Palombiere

Les Miserables at Montreuil

End of July to Early August
Part of Les Misérables is set in the charming French town of Montreuil-sur-Mer. A cast of over 600 locals join a huge sound and light show of the musical. The show starts at 10.30pm.

Nearby Parcs:
Chateau de Drancourt
La Bien Assise

Roc d’Azur

Early October
If you’re a cyclist fanatic, then make sure you head down to Frejus to see their cycling event of the year – Roc d’Azur. Over the event period you’ll get to watch races of all distances, from 2km through to the 83km Marathon! You also get to see top mountain bike and road bike brands, providing a unique opportunity to discover the latest prototypes, fresh on to the market.

Nearby parcs:
Frejus Domaine du Colombier (Cote d’Azur)