Here is what’s up next in the schedule of annual events:
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Fri01Feb2019Sun03Feb2019Le Touquet
1100 motorcycles bottleneck at Le Touquet Enduropale
World's craziest motorcycle race, with 1100 motorcycles racing in deep sand for 3 hours, with 200,000 to 500,000 spectators at this free event. Le Touquet's Enduropale.
Click here to read more about the Le Touquet Enduropale beach race on our site
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Sat20Apr2019Sun21Apr2019Le Mans
Motorcycle race in Le Mans
The 24 Hours car race of Le Mans is legendary. But the 24 Hours race is not limited to just cars. The 24 Hours motorcycle race is just as imposing and popular.
Every year, 100,000's of fans arrive for this race weekend, often camping alongside the road. It does turn however into a "drunk fest", so plan your trip carefully.
It is always well attended internationally, with fans coming from all over the world. Hotels and campings display "no vacancies" since most are booked a year in advance. So if you're planning to see this mythical race, better book well in advance.
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Fri17May2019Sun19May2019Le Mans
Spectators at the French MotoGP motorcycle race in Le Mans
The French part of the International MotoGP motorcycle race is held on the same race circuit that hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race, the Bugatti Race Circuit.
Every year, 100,000's of fans arrive for this race weekend, often camping alongside the road. It does turn however into a "drunk fest", so plan your trip carefully.
It is always well attended internationally, with fans coming from all over the world. Hotels and campings display "no vacancies" since most are booked a year in advance. So if you're planning to see this mythical race, better book well in advance.
Click here to access the French MotoGP Grand Prix web site (you can book tickets here).
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Mon03Jun2019Tue30Jul2019Lyon
Main Roman theatre on the Fourviere hill of Lyon
Once a year on the ruins of an enormous Roman theatre built in the year 15 BC on the Fourviere hill of Lyon, a 2 months long festival is held. Music, dance, show ... it's all there.
Imagine attending a festival in a theatre built over 2,000 years ago and that seats 10,000 people.
Tip: Do not plan to come by car. There is no parking space. Use the public transportation.
Tip: Umbrellas for forbidden. Use hats.Click here to access the organiser's program and introduction.
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Thu06Jun2019Sun16Jun2019Rouen
Exit of Rouen's Armada of tall sail ships
Once every 5 to 7 years, world's biggest tall sail ships (multi-mast) come to Rouen for 10 days of festivities. Then on the last day, all of them sail out to the ocean under the watchful eyes of millions of spectators. A unique event.
Click here to read more about the Grande Armada tall ships parade on our site.
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Sat15Jun2019Sun16Jun2019Provins
Provins Medieval Festival (c) Provins
Europe's biggest medieval festival held in the Unesco World Heritage site of Provins.
One weekend at the foot of an old castle, celebrating like they used to centuries ago.
Click here to access the Provins Medieval Festival web site.
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Mon17Jun2019Sun23Jun2019Paris
2017 Paris Air Show poster
The Paris Air Show, the biggest in its kind, is held every 2 years (alternating with the UK). The trade and professionals are welcomed starting on the 19th, general visitors can see the airplanes between the 23rd and 25th of June.
Every 2 years, 100,000's of airplane lovers gather here to see air stunts and fly-overs by commercial and military aircraft, from the very latest to the oldest.
It is always well attended internationally, with fans coming from all over the world. Hotels and campings display "no vacancies" since most are booked a year in advance. So if you're planning to see this mythical air display and show, better book well in advance.
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Fri21Jun2019All over France
Magnitoz blues band playing
Every year during the longest day (21st of June), which is also the official start of summer, every city, town and even village in France organises the "Fete de la Musique"; the yearly Music Feast/Festival. Apart from the officially organised musical events, everyone is allowed to go out in the streets and parks and play music until the wee hours of the morning. Professionals, amateurs and newbies; everyone can play. A unique event.
Click here to read more about the Fete de la Musique at the organiser's site.
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Thu04Jul2019Tue23Jul2019Avignon
Festival of Avignon
Considered as one of France's biggest and oldest (first festival was in 1947) festivals of performing art, the Festival of Avignon is a must for anyone who is into music and performing arts.
Between 35 and 50 performances during the month, with a total of about 300 performances.
The festival is held in some 20 locations throughout Avignon.
Click here to access the organiser's web site for more information and schedules.
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Sat13Jul2019Sun14Jul2019All Over France
14th of July fireworks over the Fecamp harbour
14th of July is the day the common French people revolted against their king and nobility. It is the day France became a republic, and every year it is celebrated as THE national holiday. The French never call it Bastille Day, but instead just call is "quatorze Juillet" (meaning 14th July).
Although the day itself is the 14th, on the evening of the 13th there are always many events, most of them centred around the local fire-station with music and dancing. On the 13th, it is the time to get acquainted with your local firefighters, dance, drink and be merry.
On the 14th, in the evening there are many concerts and most cities, towns and even small villages have fireworks. Many cities also have parades, but of course none can beat the one in Paris.
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Sat31Aug2019Sun01Sep2019Lille
Lille Street Market (c) 20Minutes
The street market (flea market) of 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.
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Fri06Sep2019Sun15Sep2019Deauville
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.
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Sat12Oct2019Sun13Oct2019Rouen
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). -
Fri18Oct2019Sun27Oct2019Le Havre
Opening the sails before the race start at the Transat Jacques Vabre
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.
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Fri22Nov2019Sat23Nov2019Strasbourg
Strasbourg Christmas Market (c) Strasbourg
Since 1570, Strasbourg has been hosting a Christmas market, and it's getting stringer and stronger.
2 million visitors every year, hundred of stalls and many events during the 5 weeks.
Click here to access the Strasbourg Christmas Market organiser's web site.
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Sat23Nov2019Sun24Nov2019Fecamp
Traditional herring smoker (from The Netherlands) at the Fecamp Herring Festival
2 days of glorifying the herring caught in abundance. You eat all sorts of prepared herring (smoked, BBQ's, fried) while listening to live music in a great atmosphere at Fecamp.
Click here to read more about the "Fete du Hareng" event on our site
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Thu05Dec2019Sun08Dec2019Lyon
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.
Copyright
Travel France Tips by Mike Werner is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
