Best Summer Festivals in France
Leave the mud and the rain of Glastonbury and go to one of France’s great summer festivals.| Best Summer Festivals in France | ||||
| Location | Festival | Details |
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| Vaucluse | Festival of Avignon, 4 - 26 July 2008 | This Festival created in 1947 by Jean Vilar has become one of the most important events dedicated to theatre. For three weeks, the whole city of Avignon is taken over by play performances. The Festival’s main programme revisits the great classical texts and presents the latest contemporary creations while the ‘fringe’ Festival showcases hundreds of original creations. French actress Valérie Dréville and Italian writer and director Romeo Castellucci are the "associated artists" for this year's edition. | ||
| Contact details 04.93.58.40.17 |
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| Gers | Jazz in Marciac, 1 - 17 August 2008 | In the beautiful Gascony region, the village of Marciac is an important rendevous for Jazz lovers in Europe. McCoy Tyner, Bobby McFerrin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall, John Zorn, Caetano Veloso are included in a packed line-up. If you are in the area between 24 to 27 July, you should also check out the very lively Latino Tempo Salsa Festival at Vic-Fezensac. | ||
| Contact details 04.93.58.40.17 |
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| Grimaud, Cote d'Azur | Les Grimaldines, 12 July - 19 August | Every Tuesday from 19 to 22, three main sites in the city open up to animations and shows on the "Musics of the world" theme. 18€ per concert. | ||
| Contact details www.ifestival.fr |
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| Six-Fours, Var | Les Voix du Gaou, 15 June - 6 July 2008 | On the small island or the Gaou, this music Festival has a surprising number of famous international and national artists playing, such as: Ben Harper, ZZ Top, Morcheeba, Justice, Cali and Catherine Ringer. Artists: Aaron, The Do, BB Brunes, Micky Green and Asa. | ||
| Contact details www.voixdugaou.com |
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| Serres, Hautes Alpes | Festival de Jazz de Serres, 17 July 2008 - 26 July 2008 | The 6th edition of this Jazz Festival is taking place in the amazing scenery of the Serres town in the south of the Hautes Alpes. The artists present here wil be: Jazz et Polar, Expo Jazz et BD, Jean Schüler trio, Grenoble Gospel Singers, Jean Schüler trio, L'Incroyable Fanfare des Pile or Versa, Daniel Givone Quartet, Fabien Mary Quartet and Jazzpel. | ||
| Contact details www.festivaldeJazzdeserres.com |
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| Nice, Cote d'Azur, Arènes et jardins de Cimiez | Nice Jazz Festival, 19 July 2008 - 26 July 2008 | Since 1974, this Jazz Festival has been bringing together some 55 000 Jazz fans. This year should be just as good as any other as there will be numerous excellent artistes such as George BENSON, Diana KRALL, Alain Bashung, Léonard Cohen, Joan Baez, Hocus Pocus, Hubert Félix Thiefaine, Paul Personne, Ibrahim Maalouf, Macéo Parker, Pink Martini, Sanseverino, Stacey Kent, Yael NAIM... | ||
| Contact details www.niceJazzfestival.fr |
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| Paris | Paris quartier d'été, different places in Paris, Summer Festival from 14th of July - 15th of August | This Festival takes place in Paris and its Suburb during summer. This summer blends music, ballets , theater, in more than 150 different places. This year a special honour will be given to Maurice Béjart by the ballet national du Rhin. | ||
| Contact details www.quartierdete.com |
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| Centre Culturel Joël Le Theule, Sablé-sur-Sarthe, Pays-de-la-Loire | Festival de Sablé, 19th - 23rd August 2008, Ancient music and dances | The Festival of Sablé celebrates its 30th year in 2008. Baroque music and dance, awareness of the new trends in interpretation, collaboration with the musicians and also 30 years of the International Academy of Ancient Dance and Music. Thousands of performers at hundreds of concerts, students from every continent. Artists: La Simphonie du Marais, Doulce Mémoire, Les Folies Françoises, Les Fêtes Galantes music groups and many others. | ||
| Contact details tel.: +33 (0)2 43 62 22 22, www.sable-culture.fr, culture@sable-sur-sarthe.fr
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| Colmar, Haut-Rhin | Foire aux Vins, 8 - 17 August | Music and culinary Festival around wine with all kinds of music styles. Artists include: Alanis Morissette, Neil Young, Psy 4 de la Rime, I Am, Da Silva, Stacey Kent, Yael Naïm, Thomas Dutronc, Cali, Nicolas Canteloup, Nightwish, Stéphane Eicher and Bernard Lavilliers. | ||
| Contact details www.foire-colmar.com |
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| Saintes, Poitou-Charentes | Festival de Saintes, 10th - 20th July 2008, Music Festival | Music played in historic venues like churches. Young professional musicians will perform uncommon chamber music concerts. Artists: Philippe Herreweghe, l'Orchestre des Champs-Elysées, le Collegium Vocal de Gand, l'Ensemble Huelgas... | ||
| Contact details www.abbayeauxdames.org
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| Arles, Bouches du Rhone, Théâtre Antique | Escales du Cargo, 22 July 2008 - 25 July 2008 | This music Festival is widely known for the quality of the performing artists. This year, the main artists playing at the Festival are Rokia Traoré, Massive Attack, Yael Naïm, Camille, Fink, Damienand The DØ. | ||
| Contact details www.ifestival.fr |
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| Bayonne, Aquitaine | Fête de Bayonne 30 July - 3 August | A raucous celebration of Basque music, food and culture when the whole town is taken over by party goers in the bars, restaurants, and on the streets of the town. Concerts, dances, and acts of all kinds, with acclaimed alternative reggae artist Manu Chao this year heading up the list of artists. Bull fighting, running of young bulls through the streets, and a spectacular fireworks display on the opening night. Not for the faint-hearted. | ||
| Contact details: www.fetes.bayonne.fr |
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