10 FRANCE FESTIVAL

If you are looking for excitement and festive spirit, then France is the place to do so. With
many events for celebration adding color, France has become a tourist place of choice.
Each festival here has something to offer to tourists, but there are some that are more
popular. We give below the top 5 events celebrated in this alluring country:
1.Cannes Film Festival:
Held in May every year, this festival has many movie legends descending
on Cannes, a town in southern France for le Festival de Cannes or Cannes Film Festival
as it is popularly called. Movies are shown and talked about during this occasion and the
best stars compete for the much valued Palm dOr. All the parties are strictly on an
invitation only basis and the attendance list has models, the wealthy and the renowned.

Visitors are drawn in large numbers with the hope that they can have a glimpse of their
favorite actors and actresses. Naturally this leads to a huge demand for lodging during the

festival season. Accommodations ranging from deluxe apartments, bungalows to hotel

rooms are grabbed by the stars and the fans alike. Since the festive season is always
crowded, getting a place to stay is really tough. You would be well advised to make your
booking well ahead of time to avoid problems.
2.Festival dAvignon:
This festival is a celebration of art in all forms. Held every year in July, this
festival ranks among the oldest and most awaited. The event occurs in Avignon, an
artistic city and includes all forms of art. It includes Music, Cinema, Dance and Theatre.
There are more than 20 venues spread all over the city where people can perform. People
flock to the town to watch and take part in the performances and to indulge in the free
atmosphere that is part of the celebrations.

3.Bastille Day:
Celebrated on 14th July every year, this event marks the invasion and entry
into Bastille. Fireworks are lit at the Eiffel tower which illuminates the night and this
makes it a major attraction to outside visitors. This is accompanied by dance with
accordion music and brass bands in the Place de la Bastille. People flock the streets to
watch the military parade on Champs-Elyses, which is supposed to be one of the largest
in the world. Smaller towns across France mirror the celebrations that occur in Paris, at a

smaller level. Holidays are planned around these events by many visitors so that they get
a chance to participate.

4.Fete De La Musique:
Literally meaning the festival of music this event invites expert and
budding musical skills from across the globe. Numerous renditions ranging from jazz,
techno to orchestras and choirs can be listened to and savored at many places. A huge
musical event that has some of the famous entities from the Music world is the highlight
of this festival.

5.Nice Carnival:
This event occurs in February and lasts for a fortnight. It features processions,
musical concerts, dance, fireworks and other festivities for a glorious time. Featuring
lavish displays this event offers delights to all the senses like huge puppets, floral
displays and gourmet foods. The city of Nice is full of visitors from across the globe
during this event. It would be prudent to book a place to stay well in advance to ensure a
comfortable stay. As in Cannes during the film festival, accommodation is in short supply
during this festive season in Nice.

6.Garorock:
This festival kicks off Frances Festival season early, taking place in the first half
of April. Located in Marmande in South-West France, the festival provides electro and
techno as well as rock and metal music and draws around 50,000 people per year. Acts
that have played over the years from the festivals start in 1997 includeBabyshambles,
Gojira, Seeed, Deftones, De La Soul, Magnetic Man and The Streets.

7.Main
Festival:

Square

Bring
ing big names from
across the world
this festival takes
place in the first
week
of
July.
Double the size of
Garorock this is for anyone who wants to see all their favourite bands but abroad, rather
than the more unique experience that the smaller French festivals offer. But with a line-up

including Coldplay, The Chemical Brothers, Linkin Park, Arcade Fire, Moby, Kaiser
Chiefs, Kasabian and loads more who could turn down such an occasion, held in a town
square in Arras in the north of France.

8.Eurockeennes:
Althoug
h you may be
already
planning
your trip to Main
Square
Festival,
there is a problem.
Eurockeennes was
held on the same
weekend as Main Square this year, causing a difficult choice for festival goers on which
of Frances largest two festivals to attend. While some bands such as Arcade Fire, Beady
Eye and Queens of the Stone Age played at both festivals, the offer of The Ting Tings,
Tryo, Motorhead, The Arctic Monkeys and others may have drawn festival goers to
Malsaucy near the Swiss border for the event. With a history stretching as far back as
1989 the festival has seen performances from iconic acts such as Morissey and the Pixies,
this festival gives Main Square a run for its money.

9.La Route
Rock:

du

Back
to
the
smaller
festivals, this midsized festival takes
place
in
the
fortified city of St.
Malo in Brittany,
with music taking place in the fort and an auditorium on the beach, as well as free gigs on
other parts of the beach. Taking place in mid-August this festival has seen appearances
from Fleet Foxes, Mogwai, Simian Mobile Disco, The xx, The Flaming Lips and The
National and is now in its 21st year.

10.Rock en Seine:
Out of our top five this festival is the closest to Paris. The festival falls on the
August bank holiday weekend, and as well as being at the same time as Reading and
Leeds Festivals, the festival has the potential to attract the same fans who want a change
of scene. The festival usually features some of the same bands, such as My Chemical
Romance and Deftones this year, but also features others, such as Foo Fighters andThe
Arctic Monkeys. While it is less than half the size of Reading or Leeds it is around half
the price! This is the festival that Oasis announced their break-up at, moments before they
were due to play, cementing the event in music history.