2012 Festivals & Events

Here is a selection of French festivals and events in 2012; some established and widely-known, others newer and often quirkier.

26 - 29 January: 39th Festival International de la Bande Dessinée (International Comic Strip Festival), Angouleme

France has a stirring history of comics, covering more than merely children’s stories- this is a major literary medium in France. This festival delves into the enormity of all this.
www.bdangouleme.com (website in French).
Suggested hotel: Auberge de l'Etang Bleu

17 February - 4 March: Nice Carnival

Concerts, fireworks, float processions and flower parades.
www.nicecarnaval.com
Suggested hotel: Villa St. Maxime

14 March - 1 April: Festival Vidéoformes, Clermont-Ferrand

This festival has a range of exhibitions and screenings of new media and digital art forms, spread throughout the town.
www.videoformes-fest.com (French-language site)
Suggested hotel: Château Longsard

19-31 March: Le Printemps du Rire, Toulouse

A comedy festival throughout Toulouse featuring a range of stand-up comedians, comic drama and music.
www.printempsdurire.com (French-language site)
Suggested hotels: Domaine aux Quat'Saisons, Château de la Lanette, Prieuré du Château de Biron

16-27 May: Cannes Film Festival

One of the most important aspects of the festival is how many original films, away from the more cliché-packed world of mainstream Hollywood cinema, break through after being aired at Cannes. Enjoy the glitterati, yes; but there is so much more to Cannes, and that's why it's important for film.
www.festival-cannes.fr/en.html
Suggested hotels: Alegria, Villa St. Maxime

26 May-2 June: Festival Guitares du Monde- Troyes, Aube

Guitarists from around the world come to play.
www.fgmat.com (French site)
Suggested hotel: Château d'Etoges

16-20 May: Nuits Sonores Electronic Music Festival, Lyon

One of France’s finest electronic music festivals, it shows no sign of losing its penchant for a refreshingly inventive line-up, with well-known acts alongside an eclectic range of lesser-known artists with original styles. The 2011 roster included such luminaries as Ben UFO, Laurent Garnier, DJ Shadow, Shackleton, Joy Orbison and The Gaslamp Killer.
www.nuits-sonores.com
Suggested hotel: Château Longsard

27 May - 8 June: French Open

One of tennis's Grand Slam events, held at the Roland-Garros Stadium in Paris.
www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/index.html
Suggested hotels: Hôtel Recamier, Hôtel Thérèse

21 June: Fête de la Musique, various cities and towns

An integral event on the French calendar is this huge outdoor celebration of music, which takes place during the summer solstice. Bands and individual performers flock to join a bill of musicians that turns many towns into one huge extended stage. It's quite something to be amongst it! Take a look at the menu on the left to see what is happening where.
www.fete-musique.net

16-17 June: Le Mans 24 Hours Race

The 80th running of the world’s most famous sportscar race (and still one of the finest races internationally) has not lost its prestige. After 2 years of Audi success following their first win since 1993, French manufacturer will be determined to take black home glory.
See here for how to book: www.lemansrace.com/department/le-mans-24-hours/1/
Suggested hotels: Château de La Barre, Château de Vaulogé , Château des Briottières

30 June - 22 July: Tour de France

Considered by many to be the world’s greatest cycle race, the 20-stage event will start in Liège, ending at the Champs- Élysées in Paris.
www.letour.fr/us/index.html

7-28 July: Festival d'Avignon

First held in 1947, the festival has increased in stature over the years, with an array of theatrical, dance, and musical performances including opera.
www.festival-avignon.com/en
Suggested hotel: Jardins Secrets

July - August: Paris Plage

On the right bank of the Seine, a makeshift beach is put together each summer. Reintroduced in 2002 after existing at the start of the previous century, this may strike some as an usual idea in a city where people go for plenty of purposes other than the sun, but in summer, you can see why this beach has become a popular point of respite within the hub of the city. There are various activities on offer to give it even more pizazz.
Suggested hotels: Hôtel Recamier, Hôtel Thérèse

15 August: Twins Festival, Pleucadeuc

This annual festival in Brittany has Europe’s largest gathering of twins.
www.jumeaux-pleucadeuc.org/ (French-language website)
Suggested hotel: Villa Kerasy

October: Le Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Paris

First run at Longchamp Racecourse in 1920, this is still the venue for one of the world’s highest-paying turf races.
Suggested hotels: Hôtel Recamier, Hôtel Thérèse

November: Hot Air Balloon Festival, Le Puy-en-Velay

Balloonists come from all around for this event, with about 40 balloons on show.
Suggested hotel: Château Longsard

November: Buskers Festival, Quintin

Singers and actors converge on the streets of Quintin in northern Brittany for the annual Festival des Chanteurs de Rue. Coinciding with the Saint-Martin fair, those attending can try regional delicacies including the famous bolée de cidre (bowl of cider), to the backdrop of charming old Breton songs.
Suggested hotel: Villa Kerasy

15 November: Beaujolais Nouveau release

Midnight of the third Thursday in November each year initiates the launch of this young, but well-known wine. There are an incredible amount of events to celebrate this- once counted at 120! The Sarmentelles Festival in Beaujeau begins at 5pm the day before the release, and has a tasting followed by a torchlit procession, before the new release. Lyon celebrates with music and fireworks at midnight, and then two days of tasting.
Suggested hotels: Château Hôtel Andre Ziltener, Le Clos des Tourelles

Monthly: La Nuit des Rollers, Bordeaux

The Place Pey Berlan is the stage for this huge monthly gathering of skaters. There are displays of some of the best skating talent, and courses for those who wish to learn a bit of skating, including related sports such as roller-hockey and ice skating.
www.assoair.com/cms/ (French-language website)
Suggested hotel: Le Clos de Meyre