France festival guides

Colmar and Strasbourg are two of Alsace’s most beloved Christmas market towns, and with just 30 minutes by train between them, a weekend offers a realistic window to experience both. This guide helps you choose a home base, plan your days, and manage the crowds.

Deciding between the Christmas markets of Colmar and Strasbourg? This comparison weighs market size, crowd management, holiday lights, and dining logistics—plus the practical tip that both are just a half-hour train apart, so you may not have to choose.

Cosmo Jazz Festival turns Chamonix's mountain sites into open-air concert halls every July. This guide explains the festival's free concerts, high-altitude venues like Planpraz and Flégère, transport advice, and what to pack for changeable weather.

Discover how to attend the free concerts of Cosmo Jazz Festival in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Learn about the required lift passes, mountain venues from Planpraz to Flégère, transport tips, and how to handle weather changes.

Every July, Avignon becomes a city-theatre: the official Festival d'Avignon (IN) presents curated shows in historic venues, while the Avignon OFF brings over a thousand independent companies to the streets. This guide explains the difference, when to go, how to book tickets, and what to know before you visit.

The Festival d'Avignon transforms the city each July with theatre, dance, and performance. This guide covers when it runs, how to buy tickets online, by phone, or on site, and how to use discount cards like the Carte Festival and Carte 3 clés.

The Festival d'Avignon stages performances in dozens of venues across the city, from the grand Cour d'honneur du Palais des Papes to intimate cloisters and historic theatres. This guide groups the key venues by type, provides addresses, and offers arrival tips to help you navigate the festival with ease.

Get practical tips for attending the Festival de Carcassonne, an annual July event in the medieval Cité. Learn about the In and Off programs, the walking route from parking to the Théâtre Jean-Deschamps, and how to pair a show with exploring the city.

Held each July, the Festival de Carcassonne fills the medieval Cité and the Bastide with opera, theater, dance, and concerts. This guide covers the In and Off programs, the main venue of the Théâtre Jean-Deschamps, practical tips for getting there, and how to buy tickets through official channels.

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.