France — Events
La Chaise-Dieu Festival de Musique
August 1, 2010 - August 31, 2010
Hosted in spectacular venues including the wonderful Abbey de la Chaise-Dieu, this annual event presents a celestial program of baroque, classical and sacred music. The festival consists of approximately 30 performances and two special Sunday mass services which brings close to 50 composers and nearly 1,000 performers to the region. The first La Chaise-Dieu Festival de Musique took place in 1966 and is now considered one of the most important events of its kind in France.
Grand Pavois de La Rochelle
September 1, 2010 - September 30, 2010
Ranked as one of the top three boat shows in the world, the Grand Pavois de La Rochelle is a show that provides an opportunity for those interested in recreational boating and water sports to get in touch with companies working in these fields. The event includes a number of live demonstrations and is open to anyone with an interest in learning more about the whole range of water sports and aquatic activities represented at the show.
Biennale de la Danse
September 9, 2010 - October 3, 2010
This biennial dance festival brings together an exciting program of dance performances covering everything from classical ballet to contemporary jazz and just about everything that falls somewhere in-between. Past performances have ranged from traditional Romanian folk songs and dances to the urban cool of hip-hop crews. Whether you are a dance expert or just a curious onlooker, this is a vibrant festival that is sure to offer some interesting and exciting performances.
Le Marché de Noël (Christmas Market)
December 1, 2011 - December 25, 2011
Toulouse gives the Anglo-Saxon countries a run for their money with its annual ‘Marché de Noël’. Surrounded by the pink-brick facades of Place du Capitole, the Christmas Market comes complete with an ice rink, spiced wine, dripping fairy lights and homemade crafts. Toulouse then adds its own touch to the proceedings with local cheese and wine.
Réveillon (New Year's Eve)
December 31, 2011
Every city has a central place to celebrate the coming of the new year. In Paris it’s the Champs-Elysées. Its crowded, drunken and great fun. Fireworks on the Eiffel Tower.
Lille 3000
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Following on from the success of Lille’s crowning as European Capital of Culture in 2004, the city has pledged to continue with a biennial celebration of cultural events. Every two years the festival focuses on a particular region or country from around the world and delivers a year-long program of events dedicated to that place. Events include special film screenings, art exhibitions, political awareness debates, theater, music, comedy, dance and drama.
Fête de la Violette
February 1, 2012 - February 29, 2012
Once upon a time, these purple flowers formed a main part of the local economy. Now you can only find them in a few specialist places, often in the form of sweets or bath salts. Every year, Toulouse celebrates its emblematic flower with this festival as a chance to relive the past and to preserve the skills of another age.
Fête de la Chandeleur
February 2, 2012
Candelmas celebrations ushering in the beginning of spring. The holiday is otherwise known asjour des crêpes (pancakes day) – tradition has it that if you hold a coin in your hand while successfully flipping a pancake, the upcoming year will be a prosperous one.
Zoom Arrière
March 9, 2012 - March 17, 2012
A cinema event with a difference. This Toulouse film festival focuses on forgotten or overlooked works, with a different theme each year. The theme in 2011 was antiquity, and the festival celebrated works by Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor and Charlton Heston, remembering how they brought the ancient world to life. Next year, the theme is set to be censorship, with a focus on key European films, including Fritz Lang’sMetropolis.
La Nuit des Publivores (The Night of the Ad Eaters)
March 25, 2012 - March 26, 2012
Since 1981, the night of the ad eaters in Paris shows the best of advertising over the year. The event attracts viewers in 40 countries and has become a rather rock ‘n’ roll event for the ad industry. Over 500 advertisements (publicités) are fêted by 6,000 people in two night-long events. But it’s billed for anyone interested in the visual medium; either way, it’s a hell of a party.
