5 Festivals to See Whilst Camping in France

Every country around the world has unique festivals which are an essential part of its national culture, and France is no exception. From festivals celebrating film and music to events for gardeners and gourmets, France’s cultural calendar is diverse, and well worth your attention when planning your holiday. If you want to go camping in France, consider timing your visit to take a look at one of these exciting spring and summer festivals.

Cannes Film Festival

For independent and artistic filmmakers, this festival matters. Every May, the biggest names in international cinema descend on Cannes, and it is often where many of the best films premiere. Needless to say, it’s a great place for both film watching and celebrity spotting!

Most of the hotels will be booked out months in advance (at exorbitant prices), but if you go camping in France near Cannes, you can experience the excitement of the festival without breaking the bank. Better yet, you’ll be able to get back to your tent if the crowds become too much!

Avignon Festival

The Avignon Festival is one of the biggest arts festivals in France, staging hundreds of theatre performances over the first three weeks of July. It consists of two separate festivals, the “In” and the “Off”. The “In” stages larger shows in the major theatres, whilst the “Off” concentrates on unusual performance spaces such as schools and public streets.

Of course, you’ll have to speak some French to get the most out of it, but many of the more physical shows can be enjoyed without knowledge of the language. Regardless, the city is a great place to visit during festival time.

Nice Jazz Festival

The Nice Jazz Festival has been running for over sixty years, and it is one of the oldest, biggest and best in the world. Held every July in venues all around Nice (including a spectacular Roman amphitheatre), the festival has played host to music legends including Miles Davies, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles, and it continues to attract the very best jazz, blues and soul musicians. Jazz fans and music buffs who are camping in France will not want to miss out on this one.

International Garden Festival

Held in the scenic location of the Chateau Chamont in the Loire, this collection of over 30 landscaped gardens is open from April until October. Each year, the gardeners are given a theme, creatively shaping and designing their gardens to give visitors numerous little worlds to explore. The Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful places to go camping in France, and a visit to the International Garden Festival is an ideal day trip.

Bastille Day

Bastille Day is one of the biggest celebrations in France. Held on the 14th of July, it celebrates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the turning point in the French Revolution that overthrew the monarchy. It is a national holiday, with parades and fireworks going off all over France. Try to make it to one of the major cities to see a truly spectacular Bastille Day celebration.

Festival de Beaulieu-sur-Mer & Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat 18th â?? 25th September 2009
The “Legendary Violins” Festival first took place in 2008 and it recounts tales about violins and cellos. For 2009 the festival features the talents of the Stradivarius of Eugène â??Ysaÿe violin. The Vienna Philharmonic solo violin is also celebrated. There will be performances throughout the region.

American Film Festival â?? Normandy 4th â?? 13th September 2009
Not only is it a scenic and beautiful seaside resort, every September the Normandy town of Deauville holds a festival that rivals Cannes. The very best American films of the year are previewed here. Now in its 35th year, the festival sees many Hollywood stars descending on Deauville to premiere their latest movies.

Besancon Music Festival 11th â?? 26th September 2009
Attend various concerts and live performances in the area of the Besancon Festival and be fascinated by the wonderful music! You will hear the music of composers of the Romantic Era who were inspired by Rome, Florence and Venice. The Festival also features the 51st International Competition for Young Orchestral Conductors with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

The Ambronay Festival 11th September â?? 11th October 2009
Check out this wonderful celebration of classical music â?? this Festical celebrates 30 years in 2009! The festival is a celebration of the great musicians who left their legacy on the history of Ambronay and baroque music.

Festival d’Ile de France 4th September â?? 11th October 2009
The 2009 Festival d’Ile de France celebrates all things feminine â?? and is dedicated to all women who have fought for emancipation throughout generations. Musical repertoires will range from the Middle Ages to Baroque, to Classical Romanticism and music from all around the world.  Now in its 31st year, the Festival takes place in 23 historical sites in the Paris area and in total features 33 concerts in total.

Grande Braderie de Lille
Known as one of the best flea markets on the continent, why not head to the annual Lille Market Festival and grab some bargains! The 2009 Market takes place on Saturday the 5th September. It is a celebration of the market trade that has been in existence in the city since medieval times.

The Bird King Festival
Every September in the Old Town of Le Puy-en-Velay, visitors can take in the Bird King Renaissance Festival (Fêtes Renaissance du Roi de l’Oiseau). Attending this Festival is like thrown back in a time warp to the 16th century â?? you will see the aristocracy in their fur lined velvet cloaks walking alongside peasants in plain clothes leading donkeys, and there are goods for sale on the streets! You will see musicians playing the tunes of the time through recorders and drums. Why not take part or watch the archery competition which pays tribute to the idea behind the festival, when the Bird King was decided by how many birds he shot with the bow and arrow. Then everyone will attend mass at the local cathedral. The Festival is a reminder of Le Puy-en-Velayâ??s medieval and Renaissance heritage.  The city lies 325 miles southwest of Paris in the Upper Loire region of south-central France.

Feria du Riz & Course de Satin Horse Race – Bouches-du-Rhone 11th â?? 13th September 2009
Visitors to this festival will see the cowboys of Camargue known as “Guardians” compete in this event. This annual event dates back to 1529. The “Guardians” are renowned for looking after the bulls and horses of the region. You will be astounded by the bull running, and their guarding by the Camargue horses, and enjoy all the music and festivities that go along with it!

‘Tapis Rouge’ Red Carpet Antiques Festival â?? Rhone Valley Lyon 1st October  2009
This annual event takes place on the first Thursday of October. Visitors to Lyon will be astounded by the red carpet that envelops Rue Auguste Compte, which is located in the heart of Lyonâ??s Antique Quarter. All festival attendees have the opportunity to browse through the jewellery, fabrics, antique furniture and china that is on display in the Quarter.

Whatever French festival you wish to attend, make sure you enjoy it  â?? take plenty of photographs and the memories will remain forever! If you are travelling around any of the regions, the best way to see the sights and sounds of the local festivals is to travel independently by hiring a car. For the best options available to you visit our Car Hire France page.

Music festivals don’t have to be like this though, especially if you visit a music festival in Europe. There are many music festivals this summer taking place in France, where you can stay in hotels or go camping in a much warmer and more pleasant climate.

Here are some of the music festival highlights this summer in France.

There are two jazz festivals this summer in France. The first takes place in Nice, in the south of France, and runs from July 18th to July 25th. The second jazz festival is in Marciac and runs from July 31st to August 16th.

Running from July 3rd until July 31st is the Aix lyrical festival, and nearby is a piano festival at La Roque-d’Anthéron, which starts on July 24th and runs until August 22nd.

For those of you like a more rounded feel to their music, the ‘Music of the World’ festival takes place from July 10th through until August 8th in the Côte d’Azur. This festival includes free concerts, with the last taking place on August 5th.

There could be little better than camping in sunny France at a top music festival.

For those of you like a more rounded feel to their music, the ‘Music of the World’ festival takes place from July 10th through until August 8th in the Côte d’Azur. This festival includes free concerts, with the last taking place on August 5th.

There could be little better than camping in sunny France at a top music festival.