Best France Festivals and Events 2015

Every year, France organize thousands of festivals and events. Here are a few you should not miss, on your next visit.

Feb March: Nice Carnival - Mardi Gras, parades, flower processions and fireworks; www.nicecarnaval.com

March: Jazz Festival www.jazzgrenoble.com

April-mid-OctFestival of Gardens www.chaumont-jardin.com

May: Cannes Film Festival www.festival-cannes.fr

May: Monaco Grand Prix www.monaco2008.com

Paris Music Festival (Fête de la Musique) celebrates the summer solstice (21st June). New and established musicians takes over the streets and cafes of Paris during this one day event held in June.

June: 24-hour Le Mans Auto Race www.lemans.org

June: Music Festival - "Fête de la Musique," concerts and dancing in the streets; www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr

Bastille Day celebrates the dawn of the 1789 French Revolution and the first stirrings of a Republic, with fireworks displays, lively parades and street festivals. Every July 14th, Paris comes to life with free events in honor of democracy à la française.

July: International Festival of Baroque Music www.festivalbeaune.com

July: Nights of Fourvière - theatre and music in a Roman amphitheater, www.nuits-de-fourviere.org

July: International Music Festival de Colmar, classical music; www.festival-colmar.com

July: International Music and Opera Festival www.festival-aix.com

July: Bike Race Tour de France - ends in Paris; www.letour.fr

July: Avignon Festival - theatre, dance and music; www.festival-avignon.com

July: Chorégies d'Orange Music and Opera Festival, performed in Roman theatre, www.choregies.asso.fr

July: "Jazz at Juan" International Jazz Festival www.antibesjuanlespins.com

July 14 Bastille Day (parades, fireworks, closures)

July: Nice Jazz Festival www.nicejazzfest.com

European Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine) held in mid-September, is a yearly event in which hundreds of historical buildings, monuments and seats, customarily closed or only partially open to the public, open their doors to visitors around Paris. You can visit the Presidential Palace (Palais de l'Elysée) or the centuries-old Sorbonne University.

First weekend in Oct Grape Harvest Festival in Montmartre - food, music, parade; www.commanderiemont.com

Holiday Lights and Festivities during the month of December, Paris and other French cities are adorned with festive lights.

For more information about these and other events in France visit, ViaFrance, for Paris visit www.parisinfo.com, www.paris.fr or www.new-paris-ile-de-france.co.uk NOTE: Before planning a trip around a festival, make sure that you verify the festival dates at the festival website.

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