JANUARY 1 January, Paris
La Grande Parade de Montmartre
held around Shrove Tuesday 31 January-17
February (2002)21 Feb to
4 March 2003, Nice
Carnaval de Nice. The official website is
http://www.nicecarnaval.com. This was originally
a pagan festival, but first rose to prominence
in 1294 when the Duke of Anjou visited to
celebrate the carnival. Ever since then
the carnival of Nice has enjoyed royal patronage
and as the city grew it became one of the
biggest events in the world, particulaly
in its heyday during the Belle Epoque. During
the carnival Nice is decorated with flower
bouquets and illuminated displays while
various feasts, parades, concerts and parties
are held.
World Pastry Cup
FEBRUARY Feb 2 - March 5, Nice (Riviera)
Carnival (Mardi Gras, parades, flowerprocessions,
fireworks)
Feb 2 - March 9 Menton (Riviera)
Lemon Festival (parades, music, fireworks,
art exhibit)
held around Shrove Tuesday 31 January-17
February (2002)21 Feb to 4 March 2003, Nice
Carnaval de Nice. The official website is
http://www.nicecarnaval.com. This was originally
a pagan festival, but first rose to prominence
in 1294 when the Duke of Anjou visited to
celebrate the carnival. Ever since then
the carnival of Nice has enjoyed royal patronage
and as the city grew it became one of the
biggest events in the world, particulaly
in its heyday during the Belle Epoque. During
the carnival Nice is decorated with flower
bouquets and illuminated displays while
various feasts, parades, concerts and parties
are held.
23-25 February (2001), Nimes
Feria de Nîmes - Primavera
Through May 4, Le Mans (near Loire
Valley)
Europa Jazz Festival
8, all France
World War II Victory Day (ceremonies, closures)
14 - 25, Cannes (Riviera)
Cannes Film Festival, http://www.festival-cannes.fr
29, all France
Ascension (religious festival, 40th day
after Easter, closures)
May 28 - June 1, Monaco (Riviera)
Monaco Grand Prix (auto race)
JUNE TBC June-July (2002)
Cergy-Pontoise Furia Sound Festival
23 June (2002), Nimes
Feria de Nîmes (Pentecote)
20 June, Nice
The Saint Jean Feast
25 June (2002), Paris
Course des Garçons de Café
28-29 June, Nice
The Saint Pierre Feast
21 June (2002), France (in mid -
size to large cities)
Fête de la Musique (free concerts
to celebrate summer solstice)
June 3 - July 1, Saint - Denis (Parisian
suburb)
Festival of St. Denis (classical music,
world music, dance, theater, http://www.festival-saint-denis.fr/)
5 - 6, Normandy
Anniversary of the D - Day Landing (parades,
ceremonies)
8 - 9, France
Whit Sunday, Whit Monday (religious festival,
7th Sun after Easter, closures)
14 - 15, Le Mans (near Loire Valley)
Le Mans Auto Race (24-hour race)
14 - 15, Reims (near Paris)
Joan of Arc Festival (historical pageant
and market, music and light show)
Mid June, Strasbourg (Alsace)
International Music Festival
June 17-Aug 7, Lyon
Nights of Fourvière (theater &
music in a Roman ampitheater, http://www.nuits-de-fourviere.org/)
JULY 13-14, All
over France
Bastille Day Celebrations - France's national
day commemorates the storming of the Bastille
in 1789 that started the French Revolution.
This celebration is nation wide, in Paris
there are fireworks and large crowds.
Early July to early August 5-27
July (2002), Avignon
Festival d'Avignon with 300 daily music,
dance and drama events, http://www.festival-saint-denis.fr/gb/
Mid, La Rochelle
Francofolies, a six day dance and music
festival
13-15 July (2002), Strasbourg
Babel Festival
TBC June-July (2002)
Cergy-Pontoise Furia Sound Festival
Through July 1, Saint - Denis (Parisian
suburb)
Festival of St. Denis (classical music,
world music, dance, theater, http://www.festival-saint-denis.fr/)
1 - 31, Aix-en-Provence (Provence)
International Music and Opera Festival
July 12-Aug 5, Orange (Provence)
Chorégies d'Orange Music and Opera
Festival (performed in Roman theater, http://www.choregies.asso.fr/)
Through Aug 7, Lyon
Nights of Fourvière (theater &
music in a Roman ampitheater, http://www.nuits-de-fourviere.org/)
2-14, Colmar (Alsace)
International Classical Music Festival (Festival
International de Colmar, http://www.festival-colmar.com/)
July 5 - Aug 4, Beaune (Burgundy)
International Festival of Baroque Music
5 - 27, France
Tour de France (bike race, ends in Paris),
http://www.letour.fr
7, Cannes (Riviera)
Classical Music Festival (begins 1st Mon)
14, France
Bastille Day (Independence Day, parades,
fireworks, closures)
16 - 23, Antibes/Juan - les - Pins (Riviera)
International Jazz Festival
July 14 - Aug 17, Paris
Paris Neighborhoods Festival (theater, dance,
concerts, http://www.quartierdete.com/)
22-29, Nice (Riviera)
Jazz Festival, http://www.nicejazzfest.com/
Les Eurockéennes de Belfort - http://www.eurockeenes.com
AUGUST Early, Lorient
Festival Interceltique, 10 day celtic festival
Mid June-early August 7, Lyon
Nights of Fourvière (theater &
music in a Roman ampitheater)
July 14 - Aug 17, Paris
Paris Neighborhoods Festival (theater, dance,
concerts, http://www.quartierdete.com/)
July 12-Aug 5, Orange (Provence)
Chorégies d'Orange Music and Opera
Festival (performed in Roman theater, http://www.choregies.asso.fr/)
7, 15 & 24, Cannes (Riviera)
International Fireworks Festival
9 - 18, Colmar (Alsace)
Alsatian Wine Festival, http://www.festival-colmar.com/
15, all France
Assumption (religious festival, closures)
DECEMBER 8 December,
Lyon (near French Alps) Festival of Lights (celebration
of Virgin Mary, candlelit windows)
25 December, Christmas Day
All France
31 December,
New years Eve, all France
National holidays
include New Year's Day, Easter Sunday and
Monday, 1 May (May Day), 8 May (1945 Victory
Day), Ascension thursday, Pentecost Sunday
and Whit Monday, 14 July (Bastille Day),
15 August (Assumption Day), 1 November (All
Saints' Day), 11 November (1918 Armistice
Day) and Christmas Day.
Most museums and shops close on public holidays.
If the holiday is a Tuesday or Thursday
some shops make it a long weekend taking
the Monday or Friday off as well. Most banks
display a list of long holiday weekends.
