Festival trip guides

The International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire, near Blois, is a premier event for contemporary garden design. Running from April to November, the 2026 edition celebrates cinema with themed installations. This guide covers practical details, ticket options, and tips for making the most of your visit.

Get practical advice for booking tickets to the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. Learn about pricing, inclusions, and seasonal opening hours to plan a smooth visit.

The Festival Off d'Avignon is the world's largest fringe theatre event, with hundreds of shows in dozens of venues each July. This guide explains how the OFF differs from the official festival, how to use the Ticket'Off booking system, and how to navigate the dense programme without missing a thing.

Blois, in the heart of the Loire Valley, hosts a rich calendar of festivals year-round. From the history-focused Rendez-vous de l'Histoire in October to the free bd BOUM comics festival in November, there's a celebration for every season. This guide breaks down the city's major annual events by month, highlights free and family-friendly options, and gives practical tips for planning your visit.

Discover Calvi's Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques, a September festival of Corsican and world polyphonic singing. Learn about its history, venues, programme, and how to plan your visit.

Bastille Day in Carcassonne is marked by a spectacular fireworks display and the embrasement of the medieval Cité. This free, unreserved show starts at 22:30 and can be viewed from the Aude riverbanks, bridges, and elevated spots. Plan your visit with our practical guide.

Explore the Fête de la Fleur, Bordeaux’s prestigious invitation-only gala dinner celebrating the vine flower. Organized by the Commanderie du Bontemps since 1950, it features star chefs, wine tastings, and centuries-old tradition—now part of the Fête du Bontemps.

Every 21 June, Lille turns into an open-air stage for the Fête de la Musique. Free concerts fill streets, parks, bars, and venues from late morning to late night, with genres ranging from rock and jazz to electro and world music. Learn what to expect, how to plan your evening, and the acoustic rules that shape the outdoor scene.

The Théâtre Antique d'Arles is a working Roman theatre in the centre of Arles, used for concerts and performances. This guide covers its history, location near the arena and Boulevard des Lices, daytime visiting hours, and how to check current event listings and tickets. Perfect for planning a show night in this ancient setting.

The Fêtes de la Saint-Louis in Fontainebleau is a free, family-friendly day held along the Grand Canal of the Château de Fontainebleau, typically in late August. Expect water jousting, vintage swings, kite workshops, a white-and-gold picnic, and more. Plan your visit with our guide.

The Foire Internationale et Gastronomique de Dijon is a historic annual fair held each November in Dijon, France. Focused on regional and international food, the fair offers tastings, cooking demos, themed restaurants, and a lively family atmosphere. Plan your visit with practical tips on access, what to see and do, and how to combine the fair with broader Burgundy food tourism.

Every first weekend of September, Lille transforms into an enormous open-air flea market drawing over two million visitors. With a history reaching back to 1127, the Grande Braderie is both a treasure hunter's paradise and a vibrant street festival. This guide covers its origins, practical travel tips, and what to expect when you go.