15 Best French festivals
From music festivals to art and historical reenactments, France has a wide variety of festivals offering something for everyone.
Whether you’re a fan of contemporary rock concerts, medieval pageantry, or culinary delights, each has its unique charm and celebratory spirit. Here are some of the best festivals in France, allons-y!
Nice Carnival
The Nice Carnival is one of the world’s most celebrated carnival events, transforming the city into a vibrant spectacle of parades and celebrations. Over the course of two weeks, the streets come alive with massive floats, colorful costumes, and lively music.
The original parade dates back to 1873, with the flower parades being added on in 1876.
There are several events across Mardi Gras in the downtown of Nice, with the biggest highlights being:
- Carnival Parade – held during the daytime with large floats, dancers, acrobats, confetti and more
- Carnival Parade of lights – in the evening with large illuminated floats, visual animations of big screens, and fireworks
- Flower parade and the “battle of the flowers” – large floats covered with flowers and costumes models throwing flowers into the crowds.
The carnival concludes with an impressive fireworks display over the Mediterranean Sea. You can read more about visiting Nice here.
Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron)
- When: February
- Where: Menton, French Riviera
The Lemon Carnival in Menton is a unique festival celebrating the citrus industry with grandiose sculptures and floats made entirely from lemons and oranges.
It is part of the Carnival of Menton and is to mark the end of winter. The festival dates back to 1875, and was thought to have been created to liven up the winter and attract tourists the city.
Queen Victoria of the UK even paid a visit in 1882. It takes place over 2 weeks in mid-february and March in Menton on the French Riviera. There are several events with the highlights including:
- Garden of lights
- Golden fruit parade
- Night time parade
Jet des Harengs (Carnaval de Dunkerque)
- When: February-March (leading up to Mardi Gras)
- Where: Dunkirk, Northern France
Jet des Harengs literally translates to “throw herring”, which is an appropriate name for this fish-throwing festival.
The tradition started in the 18th century, before the fishermen left for 6-month fishing expeditions, not sure if they would make it back home alive.
During the festival, herring fish are thrown onto the carnival crowds from the buildings above. Everybody is supposed to dress up, get drunk and be merry (this is more of a PG-rated carnival.)
A lot of men dress as women because as the tradition goes, the fisherman had already packed their bags onto their boats and so didn’t have any clothing left other than that of their wives.
This is one of longer carnivals in France, starting in January and continuing till April. There are several balls held across the city and bands playing in several locations throughout those months. The big event of the jet des harengs, the throwing of the fish, is usually held on a Sunday in February.
Marathon du Médoc
- When: September
- Where: Médoc region, Bordeaux
The Marathon du Médoc is not your typical marathon; it combines running with the enjoyment of fine wine and gourmet food. The idea was thought up to celebrate the Bordeaux wine region, one of the most famous wine regions in France.
Runners traverse scenic vineyards and historic châteaux, stopping for wine tastings and local delicacies along the way. Many participants dress in creative costumes, adding to the festive atmosphere. The race is as much about the experience and celebration as it is about the athletic challenge.
Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient
- When: Early August
- Where: Lorient, Brittany
A festival celebrating Celtic heritage is held annually in the city of Lorient in Brittany, France. Called the Festival Interceltique, it was established in 1971 and runs for around 8-9 days in August.
It is a grand celebration of Celtic culture, including artists and performers from other Celtic nations such as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The festival attracts over 700,000 visitors from all over Europe, with Celtic music and marching bands on feature.
The festival usually features a diverse range of music, dance, and cultural performances. Visitors can enjoy concerts, parades, and workshops that highlight the rich heritage of Celtic traditions and language.
Fête de la Musique
- When: June 21
- Where: All across France
The Fête de la Musique is a nationwide celebration of music, held annually on the summer solstice all over France. It isn’t a public holiday, but it is definitely a public celebration.
Amateur and professional musicians take to the streets, squares, and public spaces to perform free concerts. The event tries to encourage participation and showcases a wide variety of musical genres and communities coming together to enjoy and celebrate music.
The event has become so popular that many other parts of Europe and cities in North America.
Fête de Lumière (Festival of Lights)
The Festival of Lights in Lyon is a spectacular event that illuminates the city with stunning light installations and projections. The festivities start in early December when the city of Lyon lights up its major landmarks with a magnificent array of lights.
Special shows with music and illuminations are held every night for 3 days in the 2nd week of December, attracting millions of visitors.
Buildings, streets, and public spaces are transformed by creative and artistic light displays. The festival honors the Virgin Mary, with origins dating back to the 19th century. It attracts millions of visitors who marvel at the beautiful and intricate light shows throughout the city.
Fêtes de Bayonne
- When: Late July to early August
- Where: Bayonne, Basque Country
The Fêtes de Bayonne is a 5-day festival that immerses visitors in Basque culture with traditional music, dance, and sports.
Participants wear white outfits with red accessories and join in the lively celebrations. The festival features parades, bull runs, and communal meals. One of the biggest festivals in the area, it attracts thousands of locals and visitors to celebrate Basque heritage and enjoy the summer.
Festival de la Camargue
- When: May
- Where: Camargue, Southern France
The Festival de la Camargue celebrates the unique culture, wildlife, and traditions of the Camargue region.
The event includes horse shows, bird watching excursions, and exhibitions highlighting the area’s biodiversity. Visitors can also enjoy local food and crafts. It’s an opportunity to experience the rich natural and cultural heritage of this distinctive region of France.
Festival d’Avignon
- When: July
- Where: Avignon, Provence
The Festival d’Avignon is one of the most prestigious performing arts festivals in the world, featuring a diverse program of theater, dance, and music.
Held in historic venues such as the Palais des Papes, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant cultural hub. Artists and audiences from around the globe gather to experience avant-garde and classical performances. It’s a cornerstone of contemporary arts in Europe.
Medieval Festival of Provins
- When: June
- Where: Provins, Île-de-France
The Medieval Festival of Provins is a captivating event that brings medieval history to life with jousting tournaments, markets, and parades.
The UNESCO-listed town provides an authentic backdrop for the festivities. Visitors can experience traditional crafts, music, and food from the Middle Ages. It is meant to be a fun educational and entertaining experience that transports attendees back in time.
Corso de la Lavande
- When: August
- Where: Digne-les-Bains, Provence
The Corso de la Lavande celebrates the lavender harvest with parades featuring floats decorated with lavender flowers.
The festival includes music, dancing, and a market selling lavender products. Visitors can enjoy the sight and scent of lavender in bloom. It’s a vibrant celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage and a highlight of the summer season.
Rock-en-Seine
- When: Last weekend of August
- Where: Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, just outside Paris
Rock-en-Seine is one the biggest rock music festival in France. It is a 3-day festival set in the beautiful park of Domaine National de Saint-Cloud.
The festival usually features an varied lineup of international rock, pop, and electro artists. It is known for its vibrant atmosphere, high-energy performances, and scenic setting, offering a perfect end to the summer festival season.
Attendees can enjoy multiple artists on different stages, art installations, and a variety food and drink options.
Fête Nationale (Bastille Day)
- When: July 14
- Where: Nationwide
Bastille Day is France’s national day, commemorating the 1789 French Revolution with celebrations across the country showcasing France’s commitment to liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The day features military parades, most notably on the Champs-Élysées in Paris and around the Arc de Triomphe. Many cities and towns will also hold fireworks displays and parties.
It is a day of national pride and unity, with many picnics, fairs and festivities all across France.
Nuit Blanche
In French, Nuit Blanche means “white night” and is a reference to staying up all night. In France, it is also the name of a festival that is an all-night cultural event where museums, galleries, and public spaces host contemporary art installations and performances.
It is an opportunity to explore Paris and experience innovative art projects from up-and-coming artists in a wide variety of styles and movements.
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