The best parties France

Every year for over 30 years, it's been a tradition: all strawberry lovers gather in Beaulieu for this exceptional strawberry festival. Here, the red fruit is king: the gariguette, grown along the valley, gives spring its exceptional taste of sunshine, while its little sister, the juicy and very sweet mara des bois, is reminiscent of the forest. Strawberry market, farmers' and crafts market, wooden merry-go-round, children's play area, gabare outing, not forgetting the famous giant strawberry tart - it's all part of a delicious day out!

Confetti, costumes and giant, colourful, fairy-tale parades, animated by thousands of people dressed up from all over the world... This is the atmosphere that takes over the streets of Nice every year in February, and has been for over 120 years. This Nice tradition is not just a confetti battle: it embodies the history of the city. On the programme: carnival parades, day and night, the famous Battle of the Flowers and the ritual of the King, burnt on the last day of the event on the beach, punctuated by a grandiose firework display.

It is the most festive event of the year during which the town is transformed to celebrate lavender, this small blue flower, the city's emblem. For the occasion, between 10,000 and 15,000 people attend the event each year. On the menu: parades by day and by night with decorated and illuminated flower floats, musical demonstrations, costumes and cultural demonstrations by international groups, fireworks displays, fairground, bowls competitions, garage sale, festival dance... Since 1900, lavender has made Digne les Bains and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence the leading producer of lavender and lavandin in the region. During the celebration, also attend demonstrations of distillation of this fragrant plant and leave with a few sprigs of lavender whose sweet scent will long perfume your drawers and cupboards.

The walnut vogue is the oldest animation taking place in our region. This event officially exists since 1507! Some historians even date its existence to the 13th century! The event has evolved over time, initially the objective was to sell nuts, today it is a fair or vogue en gaga. This event ranks^3rd behind the Foire du Trône and the Foire de Nancy and is the first vogue in Europe in the city center. Young and old alike look forward to this festival every year, which brings together around 250 attractions. During 9 days, Firminy is celebrating! Do not miss: the very colorful parade!

Caussade is a hat-making city. It is therefore hardly surprising to see the city placed every year under the sign of the hat! The festival takes place in July and pays tribute to the hat in all its forms. Milliners gather on this occasion to show their know-how. Hat exhibitions are also organized to give everyone the desire to buy a hat. Do not miss the competition and musical evenings that participate in the event. An appointment that has become over the years, a must in Occitania!

Saint Nicolas is a sacred day. Saint Nicolas, the patron saint of Lorraine, is deeply rooted in the history and traditions of the region. It is a bit like Christmas before its time, as he goes round the schools to congratulate the good children by offering them gingerbread and chocolates, and the town is in celebration for ten days. Street shows, animations, workshops, concerts, theatre, Christmas markets, tastings of local products, artists' exhibitions... And the highlight: a magnificent parade of floats, created by Nancy and its agglomeration.

A veritable rendezvous for those who love good local and organic produce, Convergences Bio is a huge open-air market that takes place on the quays of the Loire once a year. Market gardeners, cheesemakers, fishermen, livestock farmers, cereal growers, beekeepers and so many others who make up the region's peasant wealth come together for this ephemeral village. There's plenty to meet, taste and nibble at, and a few militant stalls where you can get to know the world again. In September, the organizers also propose the Banquet Festif et Solidaire de l'île Simon.

Since 1938, at the initiative of the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin, a village of Burgundy vineyards has been receiving, every year, the rotating festival of Saint Vincent and hosting the gathering of all the brotherhoods or fraternal societies of the region. On January 26 and 27, 2019, Vézelay will organize the rotating Saint Vincent. The 80 statues of the societies of Saint Vincent will cross the climates and the streets during the parades. Small reminder: On January 22, the day of Saint Vincent generally corresponds to a period of transition between the state of hibernation of the vine and the return of the vegetation. In the past, they said: «At Saint Vincent, winter is going or resumes». Is this why the winemakers made Vincent their patron saint? Is it because in Vincent there is "vin"? It is a mystery…

At this celebration, the village of Vézelay located in Yonne honours its recognition in AOC 'Vézelay Village' which replaces the name Burgundy. The red and white wines of Vézelien will be tasted in a dozen cellars.

Every year the Flower Festival takes place in Bagnères-de-Luchon at the end of August. During several days, many activities are programmed such as running, election of Miss Flower, laser and pyrotechnic show, concerts, shows, bandas and batucada training... The highlight of the show is, of course, the parade of floats in flower in the town centre of Luchon on the last day. For its 2020 edition - the 121st! - the theme puts the French regions in the spotlight. A spectacular and particularly lively traditional festival, not to be missed!

Since 1971, every year in July at the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Domaine Paul Ricard in Méjanes (near Arles), the Horse Festival is taking place. This Feria of the horse brings together the greatest equestrian artists (Lucien Gruss, for example) and the horse becomes king on flamenco air. The programme is wide (show sound and light, bullfighting… on horseback, contests, demonstrations of equestrian art and Du, all on music background (wineries, peñas, bandas…). It is the annual rendez-vous of all chevaux and camarguaise culture: this clearly means thousands of people!

each month in February.

The Fête festival is part of the great rendez-vous of the hunting and fishing fans of this department. For two days, in mid-September, the castle's park sounds like horns: Sully is located at the edge of the state forest of Orléans, which is one of the entrance gates of the Massif massif. A hundred exhibitors participate each year at this very busy event in the hunting ground.

Founded in 1979, the Commune Libre du Vieux-Mans Plantagenêt association has for many years brought together members committed to preserving, safeguarding and promoting the architectural and cultural heritage of the old town and its districts. Among the events on offer is "Le Vieux-Mans au bout du pinceau" (Old Mans at the end of a paintbrush), a summer event that reflects this desire to put heritage into perspective. The aim is to create a graphic or pictorial work within the perimeter of the old town. For the first time in 2017, a garage sale was held at the same time as this event. In winter, "Noël aux genêts" takes place in December. Lighting up the Plantagenet town, street entertainment, painting exhibitions... It's all there for you to enjoy the enchantment of Christmas!

Winter sports in Lille take place at the Gare Saint-Sauveur. Games and activities await you. You'll have a great time with family and friends. The famous 700^m2 skating rink is the main attraction (the only paying activity), but you'll love the other attractions too: toboggan runs, a ski and snowboard simulator... and other activities for all ages. Many shows and events are free of charge. During the day and at night, you won't be able to get away from this atmosphere worthy of a real ski resort.

A real popular festival at Cayeux-sur-Mer in the bay of the Somme. Adorned with a multitude of gladioli (nearly 9,000!) and multicoloured dahlias, the town becomes an even more lively place for a day. On the programme: parade of floats decorated with flowers by the associations, competition for the most beautiful float, musical entertainment in the afternoon at the city's kiosk and open-air disco in the evening on Boulevard du Général Sizaire, with a splendid fireworks display as a final bouquet. Every year, the public is present in large numbers in the streets of the city.

Carnaval Biarnés is the biggest carnival in Béarn and one of the biggest in France! This popular event showcases the region's folklore. Pyrenean carnival figures such as bears, wild men and white ladies appear on street corners. There's also the fantastic story of His Majesty Sent Pançard (the embodiment of bad feelings) and his court, who come to witness his trial and cremation, the climax of the event. There's no shortage of fireworks: school carnivals, school bear hunts, street passes, strolls, games, a grand ball, fireworks... the whole town is mobilized for a week of total celebration!

The Cognac Festival is a great event both gastronomic, with the possibility to taste the delicious products of the region (cognac, pineau des Charentes, local wines, cagouilles, meat, melon, nuts and cheeses), and musical. Flavour discovery and musical discovery, this is the recipe for this unmissable festive event which takes place around the magnificent port of Cognac for three days, during which you will be able to discover cognac in its festive forms thanks to large bars set up by cognac houses, with a dinner on the spot on the banks of the river Charente to fully appreciate the local culinary products. Cherry in the cognac : every evening there are 2 concerts ranging from jazz to electro and soul music, etc.

The roscovite city celebrates its famous pink onions during a weekend in August. This vegetable with its particular flavour which can be eaten raw, cooked in pies, soups, omelette, candied... is on the festive program. From organic and conventional farming, farmers sell in braid or in bulk. Among the many tastings: music, entertainment and dancing are offered.

The association for the preservation of heritage and knowledge of the Seillonnaise tradition organizes a day around the harvest, with the hype of wheat to the roll of stone, cooking in a traditional oven and making unleavened bread.

It is the event that attracts far beyond the region. Indeed, in the evening before May 1, approximately 25,000 spectators attend the concert, which brings together national poster heads. Since 2014, a partnership with NRJ radio has been instrumental in bringing the artists whose teens enjoy (with recent years: Amir, Louane, Kendji Girac and M Pokora…). The next day, the atmosphere is much more family, we come to the parade animated by dancers and artists of all kinds. The Queen of Muguet (which is the equivalent of Miss Compiègne) rides on a beautiful flowered cap and welcomes thousands of spectators. For the small story, a Muguet Queen has already become famous since Elodie Gossuin was then elected Miss France in 2000, before winning the Miss Europe contest. Today, radio announcer, she still lives in Compiegnois.

Every year as Christmas approaches, merchants settle in their wooden chalet on Masséna Square and around the Coulée Verte on more than 3,000 m ². To come to the Christmas market is to plunge into a fairy tale: animation, craftsmen and creators, outages, bands, puppets, puppets, regional products, confectionery… Every winter, a theme is honored. The Christmas village is a nice way to immerse itself in the atmosphere of the holiday season.

Organised in honour of the sea and sailors, the Fête de la Mer at Le Crotoy is an event not to be missed. Magnificent in traditional costumes, the sailors parade with the musicians of the local harmony and the giants of Berck, Flip and Zabeth. Follow them, hoping that there are enough free places on the boats to participate in the blessing of the sea. The Marseillaise resounds during the stopover near the monument dedicated to the sailors who disappeared in the changing waters of the English Channel. A market of regional products and various festivities also take place during this weekend, such as jousting in the hunting basin and outings at sea.

Organised by the Office du Chablis in partnership with the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) every year at the end of October, for a weekend since 1949, the Fête des vins de Chablis (Chablis Wine Festival) is an opportunity to discover and taste the four levels of the Chablis appellation (Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru) and to meet over 50 Chablis wine growers. The village comes alive thanks to the many activities around wine. A very festive weekend to be enjoyed in moderation!

He was believed to have made a cross on the Basket Day after his disappearance in 2014. So the surprise was put in 2015 when he returned. Finally, because it has not been fully understood whether it has kept its name so dear to the Balearic Islands, or whether it is now called the'Summer Day '. In the past, 20 editions were born with a general mobilization of the inhabitants and thousands of people coming to attend. In the streets and squares of the Moulin, du Refuge, Pistoles, the inhabitants sell drinks and specialities from their culture (samossas, Provencal pie, cakes.) and drinks of all kinds. Together with the associations they create an extraordinary event that attracts an incredible crowd to dance to detonating rhythms, play in family the afternoon thanks to various animations: games, initiation dance and others (hip hop, zumba, boxing, juggling, creative workshops…), street shows, show, ball, creations of craftsmen's workshops through the streets and squares of the shopping cart. An absolute need!

As the festive season approaches, Obernai goes into Christmas time with authenticity and friendliness. During its traditional Christmas market, under the sign of gastronomy and craftsmanship, the town lives to the rhythm of Advent in the magic that emerges from this period so special in Alsace. Some forty wooden chalets invade the town centre to create an enchanting setting between the scents of gingerbread and mulled wine. Bredalas, Christmas beer, snails, jams, chocolates, brandy, foie gras, etc... On December 6, don't miss the visit of Saint Nicholas and his black-clad sidekick, Father Fouettard!

Organized by the Association Béthune Carnaval founded in 1988, on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the belfry, this event respects the purest carnival tradition and offers many celebrations in the presence of Gambrinus, the famous Béthunois beer giant! Other giants, made by the inhabitants, will dominate the procession of the Béthunois (25 groups are represented). Two new products in 2019: the chocolate throwing and the arrival of the procession on the Grand' place.