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In case you’re involved in French tradition, we extremely advocate partaking in one in every of France’s many distinctive holidays. A phrase to the smart, although: don’t sleep on French festivals! 

French festivals supply an thrilling window into French tradition and historical past. Watch the fireworks on Bastille Day to learn the way France gained its independence, or catch a present at Chorégies d’Orange in among the best preserved Roman monuments in France. 

Whereas they might draw bigger than typical crowds, every French competition is really distinctive, and in contrast to holidays, typically tied to a specific metropolis. Department out past Paris and uncover what makes the whole nation so unbelievable! 

Planning a visit? Try our fundamental French phrases information with all the pieces you could join with new folks, navigate public transportation, and extra. And if you wish to really feel much more assured talking French, Rosetta Stone’s immersive, bite-sized classes are the proper solution to put together. 

Learn on to find Menton’s towering lemon sculptures and Lyon’s parades of sunshine! 

1. Menton Lemon Pageant

When: February 17 – March 3, 2024

The place: Menton (25 minutes east of Monaco) 

What to anticipate: 

La Fête du Citron is a 20-day French competition in Menton that celebrates the area’s specialty crop. It began in 1875 as a parade to brighten up the winter months. As we speak it contains all kinds of reveals, arts and crafts workshops for all ages, cooking lessons, backyard excursions, and extra. 

Nonetheless, the primary attracts are the ornate citrus-covered floats that parade by the streets. Your complete floor space of each float is roofed with lemons, oranges, and accompanying citrus fruits. Every float design corresponds to the competition’s theme for the 12 months. Previous themes have ranged from Disney to Jules Verne. 

And get this: the biggest floats use as much as 15 tons of fruit and take 1000’s of hours to finish! The outcomes are a sunshine-hued spectacle to behold. Between parades, you’ll be able to see much more citrus-covered sculptures within the Biovès gardens. Sculptures from previous years embrace Menton’s prepare station, a dragon, a Paris Metro entrance, the Sphinx, and extra.

Enjoyable truth: It’s no lemon competition with out a mascot, and the Menton Lemon Pageant’s most iconic citrus is known as John Lemon. 

2. Good Carnival 

When: February 17 – March 3 2024

The place: Good, Côte d’Azur

What to anticipate: 

Whereas towering lemon sculptures are taking up Menton, Good is busy internet hosting a celebration of its personal. Le Carnival de Good is the biggest winter occasion in its area and is one in every of many Carnival celebrations all over the world, from Brazil’s Carnival in Rio de Janeiro to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. 

As a result of Good’s Carnival celebration is tied to the start of Lent, the dates fluctuate from 12 months to 12 months, although it’s typically in February or March. Although the earliest information of the Good Carnival’s existence date again to 1294, an official committee for the festivities wasn’t established till 1873, which made their latest a hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration fairly particular. 

Like all Carnival celebrations, the parades full of colourful, elaborate floats are the primary attraction. Every is said to the 12 months’s theme and accompanied by energetic music and dance performances. You possibly can’t miss the flower battle, a procession of colourful, elaborate floats and automobiles fully lined in recent flowers. 100,000 blooms are utilized in each “battle”! 

To mark the tip of the carnival, contributors set the Carnival King puppet—the float that leads the very first parade on the carnival’s opening day—on hearth. Word that the Carnival is a ticketed occasion, however costumed attendees are free! Make sure that to go all out to ensure your free admission. 

Enjoyable truth: On any given 12 months, the Good Carnival makes use of 20 tons of confetti. 

3. Worldwide Backyard Pageant

When: April to October

The place: Chaumont-sur-Loire

What to anticipate: 

Since 1992, gardeners from all over the world have competed for one in every of 30 spots within the annual Worldwide Backyard Pageant. The shows within the Chateau de Chaumont gardens are open to the general public from April to October, and the gardens are designed to correspond to a specific theme annually. The shows are often extra modern than different aggressive backyard festivals. In case you occur to go to in the course of the summer time, catch a special perspective of the gardens with a candlelit night tour. 

Enjoyable truth: The chateau’s backyard was designed by Prince de Broglie and was impressed by English design. 

4. Sedan Medieval Pageant 

When: Could 11 – 12 2024

The place: Château Fort de Sedan 

What to anticipate: 

Who wouldn’t love a medieval competition at a literal citadel? This two-day spring occasion is a must-see for any historical past buff. The center ages come to life with reveals, leisure, and demonstrations by expert craftsmen. The fencing tournaments are an particularly thrilling sight. For these involved in merch, all kinds of wares and meals impressed by the period can be found for buy on the medieval market. Pony rides, craft workshops for youngsters, and different family-friendly actions make sure that attendees of all ages get pleasure from this blast from the (very distant) previous. Pageant attendees may also get a reduction on tickets to see the château.

Enjoyable truth: The château’s courtyard hosts medieval weddings in the course of the two-day competition, although {couples} can guide weddings in a extra non-public setting year-round. 

5. Cannes Movie Pageant 

When: 14 – 25 Could 2024

The place: Cannes, Côte d’Azur

What to anticipate:

The Pageant de Cannes is likely one of the most prestigious occasions within the movie trade. Based in 1946, this competition got down to rival the Venice competition (which had clear Fascist leanings on the time). It continues to be a vacation spot for early viewings of latest movies from all around the world! 

Word that this competition is invitation solely. In case you’re fortunate sufficient to make it there, you’ll see cream-of-the-crop movies months earlier than the remainder of the world! Plus, you’ll get a entrance row seat on an age-old custom: audiences give a standing ovation for every movie, the size of which is seen by some critics as a measure of the movie’s high quality. 

On the finish of the competition, awards are given to movies in varied classes. Essentially the most prestigious award is the Palme d’Or (the Golden Palm). Attendees may also watch the glamorous purple carpet, make offers on the movie market, attend masterclasses, view exhibitions with varied cinema-related themes, and community with different movie professionals. 

Enjoyable truth: Since 2001, the Palm Canine has been awarded to one of the best efficiency by a canine, stay motion or animated. Notable winners embrace Bruno from The Triplets of Belleville, Mops from Marie Antoinette, and Uggie from The Artist. 

6. Féria de Pentecôte 

When: Pentecost (usually Could or early June) 

The place: Nîmes

What to anticipate: 

Féria de Pentecôte is a six-day Pentecost celebration within the previously Roman metropolis of Nîmes. The occasions and actions are influenced by the Spanish metropolis of Sevilla. From bull fights to Sevillian dancing and a parade, generally known as a Pégoulade, the sights and sounds of Spain come alive in France. The precise dates change, nevertheless it at all times takes place seven weeks after Easter. 

Enjoyable truth: A shorter, related competition known as Féria des Vendanges takes place over three days in September. 

7. Fête de la Musique (World Music Day)

When: June 21

The place: Worldwide, originated in France

What to anticipate: 

Fête de la Musique, also called World Music Day or Make Music Day in English, was based in 1982 by French Minister of Tradition Jack Lang and composer Maurice Fleuret. The idea is to advertise stay music with free outside live shows. As we speak it’s celebrated in 120 nations, together with 117 US cities.

Enjoyable Reality: “Fête de la Musique” is pronounced the identical because the competition’s slogan, “Faites de la musique” (Make Music), making the title of the competition a play on phrases. 

8. Paris L’été (Paris Summer time Pageant)

When: July 10 – 30

The place: Paris

What to anticipate: 

Pageant Paris L’été is a 20-day artwork and tradition extravaganza that takes place by most of July. Each a part of town, from museums to varsities, is reworked into areas for performances and shows. There are over 20 creative occasions throughout town in complete. Whether or not you’re a fan of theater, visible artwork, music, or something in between, there’s something for you. 

Enjoyable truth: Till 8 years in the past, the competition was known as the Quartier d’Été competition. 

9. La Fête Nationale (Bastille Day)

When: July 14

The place: Throughout France, however particularly Paris

What to anticipate: 

France’s fête nationale commemorates the storming of La Bastille on 14 July 1789, which is seen by most as the start of the French Revolution. Nonetheless, solely English audio system name it Bastille Day. In France, it’s extra generally generally known as Quatorze Juillet (referring to the date) or La Fête Nationale. 

The vacation is well known throughout the nation, however probably the most iconic scenes happen in Paris. The banner occasion is a army parade down the Champs Elysées with a bleu, blanc, et rouge flyover overhead. Hearth stations within the metropolis host dances, known as Bals de Pompier (fireman’s balls) which are open to the general public. Some are free to attend, others recommend a donation. There are additionally fireworks, music in parks, and free entry to museums. Different cities and cities host related festivities on smaller scales. 

Enjoyable truth: Paris’ Fête Nationale parade is the oldest and largest army parade in Europe.

10. Pageant d’Avignon 

When: July

The place: Avignon

What to anticipate: 

Since 1947, the Pageant d’Avignon has been one of many largest arts festivals in Europe. The inaugural competition befell when theater director Jean Vilar, artwork critic Christian Zervos, and poet René Char all hosted reveals on the Palace of the Popes in Avignon throughout the identical week. As we speak, the competition attracts artists and followers of theater, dance, visible arts, and music from all over the world. Occasions have expanded to 30 venues, making the whole metropolis a cornucopia of creativity. The programming spans from traditional works to creations by new up-and-coming artists. 

Enjoyable truth: The Palais des Papes, the flagship venue for the Pageant d’Avignon, is a UNESCO world heritage web site. 

11. Chorégies d’Orange

When: August

The place: Orange, Côte d’Azur

What to anticipate: 

Chorégies d’Orange is an annual opera competition that takes place within the historic Roman theater within the metropolis of Orange. The competition dates again to 1860 and is the oldest music competition in Europe. The venue the place it takes place can be one of many best-preserved Roman monuments in France. Over 10,000 attendees come from all over the world to see the most important names in opera on this historic, acoustically-breathtaking area. 

Enjoyable truth: “Chorégies” comes from the Greek phrase for choir chief. 

12. Fête de la Gastronomie (French Delicacies Pageant) 

When: Late September

The place: All through France

What to anticipate: 

The Fête de la Gastronomie is a reasonably new competition, nevertheless it’s a should for any foodie. The competition was based in 2011 after UNESCO added French Gastronomy to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity listing. On the final weekend of September, the whole nation comes collectively to rejoice their delicacies. Along with all the nice consuming, you’ll be able to take part in cooking workshops, go on vineyard excursions, watch demonstrations from cooks, and extra. 

Enjoyable truth:  The celebration of gastronomy isn’t restricted to the hexagone (a well-liked nickname for France). French eating places overseas additionally be part of the enjoyable to show locals the enjoyment of French delicacies. 

13. Salon du Chocolat (The Chocolate Truthful) 

When: October 28 – November 1

The place: Paris

What to anticipate: 

Chocoholics rejoice! In late October, the Paris Expo Middle hosts the world’s largest exhibition devoted to your favourite candy. Over 700 chocolatiers, pastry cooks and confectioners from all around the world collect to share their abilities. In fact, you’ll discover loads of delicious chocolate to eat, demonstrations from the world’s finest chocolate execs, cooking lessons, and extra. The competition ends by crowning one of the best chocolatiers on the earth with the Chocolate Award. 

Enjoyable truth: The competition features a chocolate style present the place fashions show costumes made out of chocolate. 

14. Fête des Lumières (Pageant of Lights)

When: Round December 8

The place: Lyon

What to anticipate: 

Held yearly in Lyon round December 8, Fête des Lumières is likely one of the hottest festivals in France. The origin story of the competition dates again to 1852, when town put in a statue of the Virgin Mary. The inauguration of the statue was postponed twice on account of climate. The second supposed date was December eighth, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. After the second cancellation, locals lit candles on their window sills and balconies. The custom of displaying candles on that night time has continued ever since. Within the Nineteen Sixties, the competition took on an entire new mild (pun supposed) with store window illumination competitions and lighting shows on native monuments. As we speak, the whole metropolis is alight with mesmerizing colours. 

Enjoyable truth: Lyon’s traditions of honoring the Virgin Mary dates again even additional than the statue inauguration. In 1643, town’s leaders prayed to Mary to guard town from the plague. The Lyonnais have thanked her ever since. 

>> Want another excuse to rejoice? See the total listing of French holidays right here! 

Get to know France even higher with Rosetta Stone

France’s vast number of festivals are a testomony to how a lot the tradition has to supply. Experiencing occasions like these can open up the world for longtime francophiles and novices alike. However attending these occasions isn’t the one solution to get higher acquainted with the nation.  

A deeper data of French requires immersion in addition to cultural and historic context. That’s why Rosetta Stone goes above and past with real-world, culturally related workouts. Our Dynamic Immersion methodology helps college students of all ages be taught effectively, letting them discover extra in much less time. Plus, our TruAccent speech recognition helps you sound convincing based mostly on knowledge from 1000’s of native audio system. Begin your first lesson in the present day! 

Written by Luca Harsh