Traditional festivals folklore and fairs France

Would you like to spend a weekend in the Middle Ages? The town of Laon invites you to take a delightful trip back in time to the heart of the medieval city. The setting of the upper town is obviously ideal for this journey back in time. The numerous free events are sure to keep the public on their toes. Children love to try their hand at archery, watch the knights or play traditional Picardy games. The street shows and medieval market are a big hit with everyone. A recommended family outing.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Every summer, in August, the charming village of Fleury d'Aude organizes its festejades, three days of popular festivities punctuated by numerous animations. Free of charge, the event is organized around several concerts. In recent years, the streets of the town have resounded to the rhythm of the songs of the Négresses vertes, Alpha Blondy, Sergent Garcia, Amir or Lio. An impressive program that attracts every year a large number of holidaymakers and locals. Atmosphere guaranteed!

Every Pentecost weekend, the cavalcade gallops through the streets of Parthenay's old town. Each year, a theme is defined, from which floats are built and, of course, paraded on Whit Sunday. The floats are joined by musicians, dancers and a whole lot of onlookers, who parade twice: once at night on Sunday evening, and again on Monday lunchtime. A music festival, a funfair and an exhibition fair round off this festive and artistic weekend!

Knights, troubadours, jugglers and minstrels invade the streets of the medieval city of Rodemack for a weekend. Saturday evening is reserved for music and the old instruments come to life to make the ladies and gentlemen dance. On Sundays, the market invades the square and one discovers a crowd of small trades and activities from the past. All this under the delicious smell of the temporary stalls that are set up for the occasion.

The Kann Al Loar festival is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to discover the vitality of Breton culture in Landerneau. Since 1987, artists from all horizons have been performing to bring Brittany to life through music, song, theater and dance. Far from clichés, the festival promotes both traditional and modern forms of artistic expression. Kann Al Loar, with its street arts, shows and varied musical program, offers a formidable cultural mix for a weekend rich in discoveries.

A true tradition musical and of the carnival is held the weekend of Pentecost in Saint-Quentin! Every Saturday evening, the tattoo, a show of international repute which gathers 250 to 300 musicians for a giant parade. Sunday, the carnival ravels during the afternoon in the downtown, and in Brass band takes the evening the direction of the beach Is delirious it since which the fireworks are drawn. The three giants (Herbert, Eléonore and Maurice) accompany you during these two days by jubilation.

at the end of October. Mountain biking with several loops, cross 8,5 km and 15 km. Opportunity to walk. Several loops for choice, race for children. A real popular feast with chestnut tastings. Organized by the School of Sports and Recreation/Sou. Contact 06 15 07 80 82.

every year in August.

It takes place on the last weekend of October, since 1861. Initially, it was to pay tribute to Benoît Raclet, who saved the vine from the borer, a worm that décimait the vines and falls close to those of Beaujolais in the th century. Since then, the memory of this man has been kept alive, and the festival also allows to sample the first samples of the new vintage and to speculate on his future.

The first weekend of February.

Wine growers present early Touraine in the dungeon cellars and in the area of tourangelles flavours. Animations in the city and the dungeon cellars, with more than 40 exhibitors, including wine growers, local produce producers and exhibitions. Saturday takes place a Bullfighting, followed by a dancing dinner and Sunday begins with a hike followed by a procession and procession of brotherhoods.

It was at the foot of the town Angonia that, according to legend, a battle was fought where Christian and Saracens fought. Vidian, the leader of Christian troops lost his life as well as several of his companions. Every year since the middle of the th century, this episode is commemorated in a solemn ceremony where the Martrais dressed in colourful costumes make thanks to their Patron Saint and reconstruct the battle.

Every year since 1992, the first weekend in August, from Thursday to Sunday, has been a joyous and convivial occasion to celebrate rural traditions, farm life and ancestral know-how, attracting several thousand people each year. A parade through the streets, a traditional dance, a craft market and a gourmet market. Everything is done to amaze the palates of even the most discerning gourmets. More than 700 volunteers take part with a large parade, tractors, cows and sheep, bringing to life the Couserans of yesteryear.

Since 1845, Tournon-d'Agenais this year still ses its rosières. Visit Sunday at noon. But in addition to this event, many animations add to the festival: contests, bowls, retraite, torchlight, carriages, balls and fireworks. To know the full program, don't hesitate to take a look at the city site: www.tournon-reporter.com.

The children's festival in Villeneuve-sur-Lot is a much-anticipated event for the town's youngest residents. It takes place every year in the Parc Saint-Cyr, right in the center of town. During this day, children can enjoy games, sunshine and good spirits. It's a chance for them to have fun and enjoy themselves with family and friends. The Children's Festival is a not-to-be-missed summer event in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.

Throughout this weekend, Caudecoste celebrates the festival of La Madeleine. Tradition wants this event to be crowned with various animations, fireworks, a ball and a grenier. Of course, you can count on the numerous rides that make this feast a real moment of joy and sharing for both large and small. Will you let yourself try?

In the former municipal school of Astaffort, the town of Associations has been rehabilitated by amateurs from all walks of life since 2005. The music sounds for three days in a beautiful spirit of interaction and conviviality. The appointment is not only about musicians, the public can attend a concert of the trainees and share their passion for the evening. This year, the demonstration will celebrate its ten years.

St. Pierre's Day is celebrated in Gruissan at the height of the summer solstice. This religious festival is a tribute by fishermen to Saint Pierre. This return to our roots is formalized by a procession of fishermen carrying the statue of their patron saint through the streets, followed by judges in black togas, the Prud'homie in a gold hat, assessors in silver hats and the small Gruissan orchestra. After the mass, the event took on a more festive aspect, with offerings, songs, wreaths thrown into the sea... ending with a ball and orchestra.

For two days, animations of daily life, artisans, shops, taverns, medieval games, camping, musicians, parades in costume villagers, acrobats, street theatre, falconers, fire-eaters, etc. Opening of the taverns on saturday at 12:00 and beginning of the festivities with 15:00, feasts, etc. every Saturday evening Night, medieval concert every Sunday evening. You can rent costumes for adults and children on site.

Since 1979, the Centre Culturel Occitan d'Albi has been organizing La Janada, the traditional St. John's Day festival celebrating the end of the harvest. The festive gathering takes place on Place Sainte-Cécile, and includes a farandole in the streets, a children's ball, a market, a concert... Then finally arrives the procession of Occitan schoolchildren with their torches to light the fire, around which the crowd dances to end the evening!

This traditional festival celebrates cows returning to their beautiful plateau. Over the years, this custom has become a real festival, to which the general public is invited to attend the parade of cows decorated by their breeders. The spectacle of the passing herds is accompanied by a host of events, including a local market, folk dances and gigantic meals featuring Aubrac specialities such as aligot, beef and Laguiole cheese... Pure passion and tradition!

Every year in July, the village of Castex celebrates! In the heart of the Ariège region, join the locals for two days of festivities that will fill the streets with color. The Comité des Fêtes organizes a wide range of events, including an open stage on Friday, where you can present your own show of music, dance, clowning... Saturday features board games and friendly pétanque, a musical aperitif and a convivial meal (reservation required - with croustade for dessert!), ending with a concert by a local band and a DJ set that goes on all night!

In the Gers region, Cologne holds its annual festival in August. The main festivities are spread over 4 days, with a gourmet market on Friday, serenades, pétanque competitions and a traditional meal on Saturday, and a large gathering of motorcycles and tractors on Sunday. In the evening, there's a hearty meal under the Halle, accompanied by a traditional hot-air balloon release and a dance with live music. On Monday, you can round off your festive weekend with a pétanque competition!