Upcoming Events

Here is what’s up next in the schedule of annual events:

Here is what’s up next in the schedule of annual events:

Lorient Interceltic Festival

Start date: August 4, 2023 - End date: August 13, 2023
Location: Lorient
Lorient Interceltic Festival (c) Interceltic Festival
Lorient Interceltic Festival (c) Interceltic Festival

One of the biggest Celtic festivals in the world, held every year in Brittany.

Every year, one country is the main attraction.

Click here to access the Lorient Interceltic Festival organiser’s web site.

American Film Festival

Start date: September 1, 2023 - End date: September 10, 2023
Location: Deauville
Deauville's beaches and promenade with movie star named changing cabins
Deauville's beaches and promenade with movie star named changing cabins

The Deauville American Film Festival is one of the most prestigious American movies festival, and Deauville is the ideal location for this star-studded festival.

With Deauville’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, changing rooms on the beach named after the famous stars, the festival attracts many stargazers.

Click here to access the Festival’s web site

Lille Street Market

Start date: September 2, 2023 - End date: September 3, 2023
Location: Lille
Lille Street Market © 20Minutes
Lille Street Market © 20Minutes

The street market (flea market) of Lille, called Braderie de Lille, has been going on since the 12th century. It is one of Europe’s biggest street markets.

10,000 exhibitors offering goods throughout the city, kilometre after kilometre. It gets very busy and it’s recommended to book hotels well in advance.

Click here to access the Lille Street Market web site.

Fete Du Ventre (Festival of the Stomach)

Start date: October 14, 2023 - End date: October 15, 2023
Location: Rouen
Rouen Annual "Fete du Ventre" Festival
Rouen Annual "Fete du Ventre" Festival

Once a year, the city of Rouen celebrates the stomach. All sorts of foods are displayed throughout the city centre, where they can be bought and eaten on the spot.

Many of the stalls and people are dressed up in medieval ways.

Click here to read our description of the festival.
Click here to access the organiser’s program and introduction (in French only).

Transat Jacques Vabre – Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race

Start date: October 25, 2023 - End date: November 10, 2023
Location: Le Havre
Transat Jacques Vabre all 4 types of sailboats and village
Transat Jacques Vabre all 4 types of sailboats and village

Every two years, some 40 sail yachts in 4 different categories, each manned by 2 skippers set off on a timed race taking the old coffee routes between Le Havre and South America.

One week before the race, all the boats are in the docks for all to admire. It’s a big event, and the race village is full of people.

Click here to read more about this epic sail event on our site.

Fete des Lumieres – Festival of Light

Start date: December 7, 2023 - End date: December 10, 2023
Location: Lyon
Lyon's Festival of Light
Lyon's Festival of Light

Every year in the winter, Lyon holds the Light Festival, a time where many if not most buildings, monuments, fountains, etc are lit up.

This allows you to move through the city of Lyon while being amazed by all the lights and decorations.

Houses are asked to place candles in the windows and there are all sorts of light shows (particularly at the main City Hall and the Basilica).

The festival is not new. It started in 1643 when the plague struck the city. A promise was made to to pay tribute if they were spared. So every 8 December at the Basilica they hold the light procession.

Click here to access the organiser’s web site for more information and schedules.

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