Festival trip guides

Planning to visit the Rencontres d'Arles in 2026? Learn about the Exhibition Pass and Book Day Pass, what each includes, free admission categories, group rates, and practical tips for booking your tickets.

The Rencontres de la Photographie transforms Arles every summer into a city-wide photography festival. The 2026 edition runs from July to October. This guide covers dates, ticketing, the main venues, and how to plan your visit.

Les Rendez-vous de l'Histoire is an annual history festival in Blois, France, featuring hundreds of free conferences, debates, a large book fair, film screenings, and more. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors each October. This guide helps you plan your visit, understand the program, and explore Blois.

Séries Mania is an international TV series festival held in Lille, France, typically each spring. This guide covers what to expect, how to get there, where to park, and why you should confirm details on the official festival website before you go.

Every May 3, Bastia honors the Black Christ of Miracles with a procession from the citadel to the Old Port, where the sea is blessed. Learn about the history, the route, and the best spots to watch this deeply rooted Corsican tradition.

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is more than its famous 100-mile race. Each year in late August, Chamonix fills with thousands of runners and fans for a week of racing, brand events, and community celebrations. This guide explains the race categories, how the schedule unfolds, and how to make the most of your time in the mountains.

Qualifying for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc Finals in Chamonix involves two main paths: collecting at least one Running Stone for the lottery, or achieving direct entry through a top podium finish or a high UTMB Score. This guide explains how the Running Stone system works, which races award them, and how the UTMB Index and score thresholds for 50K, 100K, and 100M races determine qualification.

Each November, the wine world converges on the small Burgundy town of Beaune for the Vente des Vins, an auction of barrel-aged wines from the historic Hospices de Beaune estate. Held under the Les Halles market hall opposite the Hôtel-Dieu, it is part of the Les Trois Glorieuses festival. This guide explains the auction's history and charity purpose, how non-bidders can watch the event, how to visit the Hôtel-Dieu, and how to plan a day trip from Dijon.

Each May 3, Bastia honors the Black Christ of Miracles with a procession from the Sainte-Croix oratory through ancient streets to the Old Port. This guide explains the route, where to find good sightlines, and what to expect at this free and deeply religious event.

When you plan a trip to Blois around its festivals, the main event to consider is the Sound & Light show at the Château Royal de Blois. Choosing where to stay matters because the show runs late and involves standing in the courtyard. This guide breaks down neighborhoods by walkability, parking, and convenience, so you can pick the right base for your festival evening.

Choosing where to stay for Chartres en Lumières can make or break your visit. This guide covers the best areas near the illuminated route, hotel and self-catering options, and practical tips for enjoying the shows after dark.

The UTMB finish line is on Rue du Dr Paccard near Saint Michel church. Get there early, expect crowds, and use public transport. During race week, races finish daily, and UTMB provides live online coverage.