10 French Festivals You’ll Want to Experience in Your Lifetime
Want to know more about the most exciting French Festivals? This article lists the top ten with dates and venues. A must read.
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1. Cannes Film Festival2. Bastille Day3. Fête de la Musique4. Festival d’Avignon5. Nice Carnival6. Rock en Seine7. Paris Quartier d’été8. Les Chorégies d’Orange9. Tour De France10. Paris PlagesPlanning the ultimate getaway to achieve an authentically French joie de vivre? What better way to do it than experiencing one of France’s varied and exciting festivals?
Whether you love movies, history, sports, theater, music or dancing, France has a festival or two just for you.
Here in this article, we’ve lined up ten of the must-see annual festivals in France that you wouldn’t wanna miss. You’ll also find details about the dates and the location of the festivals to help you schedule your next visit. Please note that the exact dates of some of the listed festivals may vary each year.
Come on, let’s check out the French festivals now!
1. Cannes Film Festival
When: usually in May
Where: Cannes (South of France)
Why should you go there?
The Festival de Cannes or otherwise known by the world as the Cannes Film Festival is when the best of the movie world gather in the town of Cannes in the French Riviera to join the celebration. Numerous films are showcased with the crème de la crème hoping to bag the prestigious Palme d’Or recognition.
Whether you’re a film student or just a regular movie enthusiast, you’ll definitely want to catch THE most prestigious film festival in the world even for just once in your life. So, if you want a glimpse of your favorite A-list stars and filmmakers, try to visit France in May and head over to the south of France.
While many festival screenings require accreditation and tickets, the Cinéma de la Plage offers free public screenings. Those who aren’t about to walk the red carpet still flock to Cannes to hobnob with A-listers and big names such as Matt Damon, Nicole Kidman, Emma Watson, Steven Spielberg and many more. And of course, when you tire of the pomp and glamour of the festival, there are plenty of picturesque beaches for you to explore and bask in.
2. Bastille Day
When: 14th of July
Where: Across the country
Why should you go there?
The 14th of July is a very special day in France as it commemorates both the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération in 1790. Considered a salute to the birth of French Democracy, Bastille Day is one of France’s biggest national holidays.
If you are in France on this day, check the local programme for dances and celebrations. Or you could go to the Champs-Élysées to witness the traditional military parade, usually held there. Many towns and cities organise fireworks displays, but check local schedules. One you shouldn’t miss is the grand fireworks display at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris—check the date, as it can change: in 2026, it was held on 13 July.
3. Fête de la Musique
When: 21 June
Where: Across the country
Why should I go there?
Are you up for an all-day music festival? Then the Fête de la Musique also known as Make Music Day is the ultimate festival for you.
Join hundreds of thousands of party-goers and indulge in one epic and unforgettable party. Held on 21 June every year, around the summer solstice, Fête de la Musique is a street festival inviting you and everyone to dance, sing, dine and drink. Not only is it a great way to celebrate summer but it’s an awesome opportunity for amateur and seasoned musicians to shine.
The festival is one lively big concert with hundreds of musicians courting the crowd with different tunes. From jazz to rock, electronic to hip hop, the French sure know how to party! The best part? Concerts held as part of the Fête de la Musique are FREE!
4. Festival d’Avignon
When: July
Where: Avignon, France
Why should I go there?
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.
5. Nice Carnival
When: February, sometimes extending into early March
Where: Nice, France
Why should I go there?
One word: CARNIVAL! And not just a carnival, but one of the best in the world, alongside the Brazilian and Venetian carnivals.
So even though summer is a favorite holiday season in France, the month of February is also a great time to jet off to the country to experience this one-of-a-kind celebration in the town of Nice in the French Riviera. Every day is a joyous feast you won’t easily forget. The programme welcomes tourists with grand parades and flower battles; check the schedule for individual events. Add to the mix music and dancing for the ultimate French carnival experience.
6. Rock en Seine
When: last week of August
Where: Domaine national de Saint-Cloud (just outside Paris)
Why should I go there?
Are you a rock music aficionado? If you are, then join thousands of fans at the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. This is where the Rock en Seine festival is held over several days in late summer. It started in 2003 as a one-day event. Since then, it has grown, attracting a swarm of over 100,000 spectators in 2013. Past editions of Rock en Seine have featured big names like Lana Del Rey, Jake Bugg, The Prodigy, Airbourne and Flume among others.
7. Paris Quartier d’été
When: July to August
Where: Paris, France
Why should I go there?
If you’re visiting Paris during the summer months, the Paris Quartier d’Été festival (now called Paris l’Été) just might become the highlight of your trip. The event runs for several weeks, includes both free and ticketed events, and takes place in several venues around the city. The festival is another testament to French people’s penchant for artistry and joyous celebrations. Tourists can expect various shows and concerts including open-air performances, theatrical events and yes, even circuses.
8. Les Chorégies d’Orange
When: Summer; check the current programme for dates
Where: Orange, France
Why should I go there?
How does a summer opera festival sound to you? Interesting? If you are a fan of opera, head over to Orange which is around 30 kilometers north of Avignon. This festival dates back to 1869 and features performances which are shown in an impressive ancient Roman theater known for its remarkable acoustics.
The Chorégies programme includes operas and concerts, with the number of performances and other events varying from year to year.
9. Tour De France
When: July
Where: Across the country
Why should I go there?
The Tour de France has been an annual event since 1903 and was only cancelled during the World Wars. To date, it remains a prestigious sporting event that is known all over the world. The route changes every year and often includes mountain stages in the Pyrenees and Alps. The race usually finishes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, but there are exceptions: the 2024 Tour finished in Nice.
If you want to witness a world-renowned event such as this one, check out France in the month of July!
10. Paris Plages
When: July to August
Where: Parc Rives de Seine and Bassin de la Villette, with other sites depending on the year
Why should I go there?
An artificial beach along the Seine? Whoa.
Talk about being innovative and creative! Paris, during the summer, goes through a transformation of sorts. Kicking off the season is the Seine-side holiday where the mayor brings the seaside to the city. Palm trees and deckchairs create a convenient beach getaway for the French and tourists—all in the heart of Paris!
Humming along to the tune of the summer are open-air activities, concerts and a stretch of dining options. The Paris Plages though not a festival per se lasts for several weeks in July and August, with the temporary beaches open during the day.
And there you have it! Ten exciting French festivals in France to help you know more about the country’s very rich culture.
