Events calendar Charente-Maritime

Without a doubt, this is the largest concert hall in Charente-Maritime and the must-see event of the summer. To get a seat, nothing could be easier! Bring a towel and settle down on the beach of the Grande Conche. Not only will you enjoy an exceptional natural setting, but you will also listen to classical music for three nights. Four to six performers and dancers follow one another on this ephemeral stage, presenting some of the greatest classical music, jazz sounds and world music.

In summer, La Rochelle never ceases to vibrate! The Francofolies festival gets the locals singing, but there are also many popular events, including the braderie. There's no question of staying at home, and you can take advantage of the fine weather and the fact that the town center is closed to stroll the shopping streets. On Fridays, the day is reserved for Rochelais merchants, who display their wares in front of their stores: clothes, toys, decorative items, jewelry... On Saturday, the festivities take a more popular turn, with over a hundred street vendors setting up shop. Not only can you pick up a few bargains, but you can also have a great time.

Like every year, this festival kicks off the summer season in La Rochelle. Attached to the city, it allows moviegoers to attend retrospectives dedicated to directors or actors who have passed away with their work programmed in its entirety: Orson Welles, Buster Keaton, John Ford, Luchino Visconti... During 10 days, the spectators go in front of one of the screens to enjoy one of the 5 daily sessions. This year, the 50th La Rochelle Cinema Festival celebrates the golden age of Hollywood cinema with the inevitable Audrey Hepburn.

Ranked second among French marathons, the La Rochelle marathon takes place every year on the last weekend of November. In 2022, no less than 12,500 athletes came to run in the streets of La Rochelle on a flat course. Two loops and fast last kilometers, it does not take more to motivate the joggers! On the eve of the race, there was a "Leg Warmer", a tradition that allows runners to warm up. The public is always there!

This jazz festival enchants music lovers and transforms the Lighthouse into a surprising musical scene. Once again, the festival welcomed many musicians with more than 30 concerts during 5 days. We find accomplished artists such as Ibrahim Maaalouf or Véronique Sanson accompanied by a large orchestra. But the bias of this festival is also to put forward young talents with the competition "Jazz ConneXion" which aims to bring to the forefront of the stage jazz talents from New Aquitaine.

In 2009, this festival became part of the rich program of the city. There is no jury or award, but the will to "start a debate and a reflection among the spectators". The opportunity for the public to exchange around environmental and societal subjects, because after each projection, experts, local actors, women and men committed to the protection of nature initiate the debate. For its twelfth edition, the festival has put forward several themes: "resources and exploitation" and "towards a new relationship with the living".

For more than 20 years now, jazz has been making the capital of the island vibrate! In the heart of August, in the summer torpor, the notes of jazz resound during three nights in the port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Free concerts allow the greatest number of people to fully enjoy this music, all in a friendly atmosphere. All styles are present, offering a beautiful diversity!

The first village was used to meeting sportsmen. There are cyclists who are delighted to find flat roads after crossing the bridge, runners who enjoy a delightful view of the ocean, and those who frequent this ideally located fitness trail. Advantage? It is located on the southern beach, it is not only accessible to all, but also offers a very pleasant shade during the hot days. Not only will you do sports, but you will also be able to refresh yourself easily, the ocean is only a few meters away!

Rate: free of charge.

Difficulty: easy.