If you’ve ever wondered why the French phrase joie de vivre became universally understood, a glimpse into the calendar of festivals in France will make it immediately clear. While Spain’s fiestas are rightly famous for their colour and vitality, crossing the Pyrenees into France offers a new dimension of celebration – one that combines elegance, history and an infectious enthusiasm for life’s pleasures. With long holiday entitlements and a deeply ingrained appreciation for food, drink and culture, the French calendar overflows with events that range from raucous village carnivals to globally admired arts festivals and elite sporting spectacles.
This is one of five articles exploring Festivals in Europe:
1. Festivals in Europe: Overview
2. Festivals in the UK and Ireland
3. Festivals in France (this article)
4. Festivals in Germany
5. Festivals in Italy
From medieval street theatre in Auvergne to jazz in Nice and from the high-octane roar of the Monaco Grand Prix to the quiet magic of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, French festivals unfold with the same attention to detail and passion that characterise the country’s gastronomy and art. Whether rooted in Catholic tradition, revolutionary history, or contemporary creativity, festivals in France are an invitation to participate, observe and celebrate in equal measure.
Below, we explore the full variety of festivals across the country, divided into cultural, musical and sporting themes, with highlights from some of the most exciting and iconic events in the French calendar.
Cultural Festivals in France
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)
Celebrated on 14 July, Bastille Day marks the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 – a defining moment in the French Revolution. It is the most important national holiday in France, with military parades, fireworks, street parties and public concerts held across the country. Nowhere is the sense of national pride more visible than in Paris, where a grand military parade on the Champs-Élysées culminates in a dazzling firework display near the Eiffel Tower.
Avignon Festival (Festival d’Avignon)
Held every July, the Avignon Festival is one of Europe’s most prestigious performing arts festivals. Founded in 1947, it transforms the city into an open-air stage, with plays, dance performances and experimental theatre taking place in historical venues, courtyards and public squares. The Palais des Papes, a vast medieval Gothic palace, provides a stunning backdrop for many of the official performances.
Souvigny Medieval Fair
The Souvigny Medieval Festival in the Auvergne region offers an authentic dive into the Middle Ages. Every August, this small town near Moulins returns to its monastic roots with processions, artisan markets, combat re-enactments, music and traditional food. Visitors can enjoy costumed characters, historical workshops and a genuine sense of living history.
Nice Carnival (Carnaval de Nice)
Taking place in February, the Nice Carnival is one of the most famous in Europe. With roots going back to the 13th century, today’s celebrations include massive satirical floats, street theatre and the famous Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of Flowers), where elaborate floral displays are paraded along the Promenade des Anglais and flowers are thrown into the cheering crowds.
Aurillac Street Theatre Festival
The Festival International de Théâtre de Rue d’Aurillac is held every August in the remote Cantal region. One of Europe’s leading festivals of street theatre, it brings together hundreds of performers from around the world. The entire town becomes a stage, with spontaneous performances and immersive theatre challenging the boundaries between performer and spectator.
Strasbourg Christmas Market
Few seasonal events are as atmospheric as the Christmas markets of Alsace and Strasbourg’s is among the oldest and most enchanting. Founded in 1570, it transforms the city centre from late November until Christmas Eve, with timber stalls selling crafts, mulled wine, gingerbread and festive decorations under the shadow of Strasbourg’s magnificent Gothic cathedral.
Music Festivals in France
Fête de la Musique
On 21 June each year, the whole of France comes alive for the Fête de la Musique, a national celebration of music. With the motto “music everywhere, concert nowhere”, the event encourages amateur and professional musicians to perform in public spaces – from city parks to village squares – creating a vibrant musical atmosphere that is both free and accessible.
Nice Jazz Festival
The Nice Jazz Festival, held every July, is one of the oldest and most prestigious jazz events in Europe. It began in 1948 with a legendary performance by Louis Armstrong and continues to attract top international artists. The venue, set in the heart of the French Riviera, adds glamour to an already world-class event.
Les Vieilles Charrues
Located in Carhaix-Plouguer in Brittany, Les Vieilles Charrues is one of France’s largest modern music festivals. Held in July, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and features an eclectic line-up ranging from international pop stars to emerging French artists. Despite its massive size, it retains a strong community spirit and local flavour.
Festival Interceltique de Lorient
Each August, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany celebrates Celtic culture through music, dance and folklore. Drawing performers from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Galicia and Brittany, it’s a celebration of shared cultural roots and features pipe bands, folk concerts and traditional craft stalls.
Sporting Events in France
Tour de France
Perhaps the most famous of all French events, the Tour de France is the world’s most watched annual sporting event. Taking place each July since 1903 (with a few interruptions), the race covers more than 3,000 kilometres over three weeks. The festive atmosphere along the route – from Alpine climbs to Paris’s Champs-Élysées – is unique, with roadside parties, picnics and a palpable sense of excitement.
Monaco Grand Prix
Held in late May, the Monaco Grand Prix is the jewel in the Formula One calendar. Although the principality of Monaco is technically independent, it is an iconic event for France and the Côte d’Azur. Its tight street circuit through Monte Carlo offers breathtaking views and thrilling competition. The glamorous yachts, celebrity guests and Mediterranean sun make this an unmissable spectacle.
Médoc Marathon
The Marathon du Médoc, near Bordeaux, is a celebration of French wine and endurance. Participants, often in fancy dress, run through some of the region’s most prestigious vineyards – with wine tastings at every refreshment point. It’s less about speed and more about atmosphere, making it a unique fusion of sport, gastronomy and humour.
24 Hours of Le Mans
This legendary endurance car race has been held annually near Le Mans since 1923. The 24 Heures du Mans is the world’s oldest active endurance racing event and one of motorsport’s most respected challenges. Thousands of fans camp out for days, creating a festival-like setting complete with concerts, exhibitions and vintage car displays.
Fêtes in France: A Final Word
Whether you’re drawn by the adrenaline of international sport, the expressive beauty of world-class theatre, the charm of medieval fairs, or the universal joy of live music, festivals in France offer something for every kind of traveller. These events are not simply performances or spectacles – they are deep expressions of local pride, national identity and shared celebration. For anyone interested in comparing European cultures, the diversity and richness of France’s festival calendar provide a striking complement to the famed fiestas of Spain.
From Paris to Provence, Brittany to the Basque Country, the spirit of joie de vivre continues to thrive – and it’s at its most visible and vibrant when the French take to the streets to celebrate.
