Festival trip guides

The Cannes Film Festival is the world's most prestigious film festival, held annually in Cannes, France. This guide explains what it is, who attends, how the festival is structured, and how you can be part of the audience, from official screenings to the Marché du Film and programs for young film fans.

Every summer, the Festival d'Art Pyrotechnique lights up the Bay of Cannes with six pyromusical shows. This guide explains the competition's history, where to watch for free from beaches and hills, how to get there by train or car, and what to bring for a comfortable evening.

Compare public viewing spots and optional boat cruises for the Cannes fireworks. This guide explains admission choices, booking considerations and how to plan your arrival by the waterfront.

Every summer, the Cannes Pyrotechnic Art Festival turns the Bay of Cannes into an open-air stage. Whether you want to feel the vibrations on the sand, see the whole display from a hilltop, or watch the reflections from the water, your choice of spot shapes the entire evening. This guide breaks down the trade-offs of the most popular free and paid viewpoints so you can plan ahead.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is the advertising world's annual gathering in Cannes, France. This guide explains what it is, how it differs from the film festival, what happens during festival week, and how to plan your visit, with practical tips from the organizers.

Discover how to celebrate New Year's Eve in Cannes, from the traditional fireworks over the bay to glamorous parties and dining. Our guide covers the best viewpoints, party venues, and practical tips for a seamless evening on the French Riviera.

Every December, Carcassonne’s medieval Cité and Bastide Saint-Louis light up for La Magie de Noël, a festival that includes a Christmas market on Place Carnot, an ice rink, a Ferris wheel, and festive illuminations. Here’s how to plan your visit, from what to eat to where to park.

Every winter Chambéry turns its city center into a stage for a community-built carnival parade. This guide covers what to expect, how the festival is made by locals, past themes, and how you can join the fun on your visit.

Held each June in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the Chamonix Film Festival celebrates mountain culture through a packed week of film screenings, debates, workshops, and free open-air cinema in Parc Couttet.

Chartres en Lumières is a free evening festival in Chartres, France, that illuminates heritage sites from April to January. Learn the typical dates, the nightly hours from dusk to 1am, and how to plan your visit.

Discover the illuminated heritage of Chartres with the Petit Chart'Train, a 45-minute commented ride that explains the art and history behind the light shows. Learn about schedules, prices, and practical tips to make the most of your visit to this free festival, which runs from April to January.

Chartres en Lumières is a free, nightly light festival that transforms the historic center into an open-air gallery from April to January. This guide covers the must-see cathedral projection, other notable illuminated sites, a practical walking route, and tips for enjoying the event without rushing. Perfect for first-time visitors planning an evening in Chartres.