Berck-sur-Mer Kite Festival
At the International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer, there is a possibility that enormous pigs may take to the skies. Over the course of more than two decades, more than half a million people have visited the beach community of Berck-sur-Mer to see the amazing display of kites flying over the village (Harris, 2014). At the event, which takes place once a year in either March or April, enormous versions of dragons, whales, octopuses, and other figures from cartoons fly through the air over the sandy beach. In addition, every other year during the event, the International Kite Finals of the World are held there. At this time, sailors from all around the globe compete against the wind and against one another, as well as against themselves.
Menton Lemon Festival
In the city of Menton, the celebration known as the Fête du Citron (also known as the Lemon Festival) takes place over the course of two weeks in the month of February. More than 200,000 people attend the festival each year to see the vibrant floats and sculptures that are made from citrus fruits like lemons and oranges (Harris, 2014). Throughout the day, people are entertained by acrobats, drummers, wind players, and other performers as they watch parades of fruit-covered floats make their way through the streets. When night falls, the picture-perfect Biovès Gardens are filled with quirky figures and models constructed from citrus fruit that stand 10 meters tall.
Festival Medieval de Sedan
Attending the Sedan Medieval Festival in the month of May will provide you with an experience that will live long in the memory. The event recreates the atmosphere of the middle Ages by taking place in the Chateau de Sedan, which is the biggest medieval castle in all of Europe (Harris, 2014). The grounds of the castle play host to a variety of exciting events, including jousting competitions, feasts, and parades that are steeped in atmosphere. The castle is visited by around 15,000 people every day. There is surely a lot to stimulate one’s imagination over the seven storeys and 35 square meters that make up this space. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of steps to climb!
Bastille Day
Bastille Day is the greatest and most significant celebration in the French calendar, and it is celebrated all throughout the country on July 14th. This event celebrates the day when Parisian plebeians and peasants seized the Bastille fortress and jail, which is now known as Bastille Day (Harris, 2014). This set in motion the circumstances that would lead to the downfall of the monarchy and the beginning of an era characterized by liberty, brotherhood, and equality. The whole country of France is turning out for the festivities, which include both large-scale public events and private gatherings.
La Fête de la Musique
On June 21, the day of the summer solstice, celebrations may be found all around France with live music. This is the time when “La Fête de la Musique,” also known as “Music Day,” takes place, honoring the variety and breadth of musical practices across all of their respective subgenres (Harris, 2014). The very first musical celebration that lasted throughout the whole day took place in Paris in 1982 (Harris, 2014). Since then, however, it has spread to 120 nations all over the globe. During the course of the festival, hundreds of artists congregate in the city’s streets, taverns, and cafes to provide free performances to the general audience. They perform a wide variety of music, ranging from jazz and rock to hip hop and electronic music.
Chorégies d’Orange
The Chorégies d’Orange is the longest running festival in France, having begun in 1869. If you are a fan of opera or classical music, this is the event for you to attend. The event is held at Orange’s Roman Theatre, which has been meticulously maintained throughout the years (Harris, 2014). The wonderful, time-honored ambiance of the antique theater draws in almost 9,000 visitors every day. They are also able to take use of the theater’s historic stone stage wall, which is responsible for producing superb natural acoustics in the space.
