From history to fantasy, and everything in between, there are plenty of French festivals to help you experience the country’s vibrant culture. Whether you call France home or are just visiting, going to festivals is a great way to immerse yourself in French culture. Luckily, there are plenty of spectacular French festivals to choose from throughout the year. These celebrate everything from kites and lemons to dragons and opera. So if you’re looking for a fun culture fix, mark your diaries for these epic events.
Discover our list of the top 10 most famous French festivals you shoudn’t miss! Also, if you want us to include one of these festivals in your trip, do not hesitate to contact us.
The Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) celebrates all things citrus in the city of Menton. More than 200,000 visitors come to marvel at the colorful floats and sculptures created from lemons and oranges. During the daytime, parades of fruit-covered floats make their way through the streets as wind musicians, acrobats, and drummers entertain the crowds. And come nightfall, 10-meter-high whimsical statues and models made from citrus fill the picturesque Biovès Gardens. More than 300 professionals come together to create the displays which are made from 145 tons of citrus.
Nice Carnaval is one of the world’s major carnival events. It is held annually in February in Nice on the French Riviera and lasts over two weeks. The historical records say that the first Nice Festival was organized in 1294. In 1873, a committee was created for the Carnival and the Carnival was reinvented into a parade, adding masquerades, satirical floats and competitions. Today the event attracts over a million visitors to Nice every year. Every year, a special theme is chosen, and traditional artists create 18 floats and other figurines in traditional papier-mâché for the colorful parade. The parades take place day and night, while on the Promenade des Anglais, people can admire “flower battles.”
For an unforgettable slice of Medieval France, head to the Sedan Medieval Festival in May. Held at the largest medieval castle in Europe, the Château de Sedan, the festival brings the spirit of the Middle Ages alive. Thrilling jousting tournaments, overflowing banquets, and atmospheric parades take place around the castle grounds. Around 15,000 people come to explore the castle. Spread over seven floors across 35 square meters, there is certainly plenty to spark the imagination. Just be prepared to climb a lot of stairs!
Cannes Film Festival known by the world is an annual film festival held in Cannes, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries from all around the world. Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held annually at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. It is the biggest, most prestigious French and International festival which gather in the French Riviera the international film starts to celebrate and to win the prestigious Palme d’Or recognition.
There’s music in the air throughout France on June 21, the day of the summer solstice. This is when La Fête de la Musique (Music Day) takes part, celebrating the diversity and scope of musical practices in all its different genres. The first all-day musical celebration was first held in Paris in 1982 but later became celebrated in 120 countries around the world. During the festival, thousands of musicians gather in the streets, bars, and cafés giving free public performances. They play everything from rock and jazz to hip-hop and electronic music.
The 14th of July is a very special day in France as it celebrates and commemorates the storming of the Bastille. Considered a salute to the birth of French Democracy, Bastille Day is one of France’s biggest national holidays. If you are in France during this day, you can head over to the Place de la Bastille where a huge dance party takes place. Or you could go to Champs-Elysées to witness the largest military parade. Fireworks displays will light up the French skies all over the country and you can see this wherever you are in France, but one you shouldn’t miss is the day’s biggest attraction – grand firework displays at the iconic Eiffel tower.
If there is one festival that has remained faithful to its values and its editorial line for more than 35 years, it is the Francofolies. Initiated in 1985, the musical adventure of the Francofolies de La Rochelle has established itself as THE festival of the French scene. New artistic team, new challenges, new experiences, the Francofolies have never been so young as they are today.
The first festival to promote all the voices of French-speaking song, the Francofolies de La Rochelle saw the birth of generations of artists and has become one of the major unmissable events of the summer. Each year, nearly 150,000 festival-goers come together for 5 days of music by the sea!
Luring art lovers from across the globe is the yearly arts festival known as the Festival d’Avignon. Not only is it one of the oldest festivals but it is also one of the best in the world. Celebrated in the month of July in the city of Avignon, tourists, critics and enthusiasts flock to the Popes’ Palace and other locations in the city to attend the annual festivities.
The Festival d’Avignon revels in various forms of arts including dance, theatre, music and cinema. In other words, it’s the complete package. Every evening, there is at least one show première, making Avignon the place to be artists and spectators alike. Needless to say, if you love theater, this is one French festival not to miss.
The Chorégies d´Orange, the oldest lyric festival, welcomes artists and conductors in the Théâtre Antique. It is an opera and classical music festival. Each summer, more than 50,000 spectators come to enjoy the incomparable acoustics offered by this place. With its semi-circular tiered stone seating, the Roman theater is undoubtedly one of the best settings in the world in which to enjoy al fresco opera. Every year, the festival puts on a program of well- and lesser-known productions starring international opera stars. All the major players of the French classical stage have appeared in the Orange festivals over the years. But even if you’re not a huge opera fan, it’s an experience not to be missed.
Last but not least and for me the most important festival happening every year, early December in our beloved Lyon. The Festival of Lights is very popular and well known French festival which attracts many international and national visitors every day. This festival has been created in honour of St Mary who rescued the city and Lyonnais wanted to say thank you to St Mary lighting the whole city. This is the main idea to put little candles outside windows to respect St Mary. Nowadays, the festival evolved and transformed the city into a place full of spectacular art installations, light performances and shows designed by some of the world’s most talented lighting designers and videographers.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post on our Top 10 of the most famous French festivals!
To prepare your future trip to France, I recommend you to watch some French movies. They are the movies to watch before visiting France. They are films to inspire wanderlust or perhaps remind you of the good times you have had here. Some films were huge blockbusters and are really well known, and perhaps you have seen them already. Read more here.
