In partnership with Atout France and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region
1. Fééries du Pont du Gard
Head towards the city of Nîmes and you reach one of France’s most spectacular monuments. The monumental Pont du Gard is a glorious feat of Roman engineering – an ingenious aqueduct created on three levels of elegant stone arches. On 1st June and also 7-9 June, this Unesco World Heritage Site becomes the enchanting setting for the Fééries du Pont du Gard, a four-night sound-and-light extravaganza. Jaw-dropping pyrotechnic displays set to music light up the sky, with this year’s theme revealing the mysteries of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages.
2. Chorégies d’Orange
On balmy summer nights, it’s hard to think of a more romantic place to watch opera than in the magnificent Roman amphitheatre in Orange. Since 1869, this beautifully preserved piece of Roman history has been home to the Chorégies d’Orange – the oldest active festival in France. From 20 June to 4 August, this venerable theatre hosts a superb programme of opera and classic concerts, including Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. As the sun goes down on the 1st century AD amphitheatre, revel in exquisite music as it wafts across the ancient Roman stones. You can also catch concerts in the magical medieval interior of Orange’s Notre Dame de Nazareth cathedral.
3. Formula 1 French Grand Prix
On 24 June, the motor-racing world’s kings of speed will descend on a usually quiet corner of Provence and shake it up for the French Grand Prix. The pretty hilltop village of Le Castellet is known for its picturesque lanes, 15th-century castle and sweeping views of the Sainte-Baume massif – and it’s all less than a 20-minute drive from the beaches of Sanary or La Ciotat. Just outside the village is the Circuit Paul Ricard, which hosted the French Grand Prix from 1970 until the early 1990s. After a major redesign of the circuit, it’s now ready to welcome Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and other Formula 1 stars as they career around the track.
4. Marsatac
Fans of electronic music have been joining the Marsatac party ever since the festival first came along to Marseille in 1999. Make your way to the vast complex at Parc Chanot in the east of the city to hear fresh, new voices in hip-hop, electro and rap from around the world. Running from 15-16 June, the festival features an eclectic range of performers, from the UK’s Ross from Friends and American hip-hop artists JID & Earthgang to the chilled-out synth pop of France’s Aloha Orchestra and the rousing sounds of Kokoko! from Congo. Catch the electronic vibe of Germany’s Paul Kalkbrenner and the innovative avant-garde sounds from Russia’s Nina Kraviz.
5. Les Bravades de Saint-Tropez
Discover the other side of Saint Tropez – the world that’s far away from the designer boutiques and sleek yachts in the harbour. From 16-18 May, this chic resort pays homage to its patron saint – Saint Tropez – in a colourful series of parades, processions and picnics. Les Bravades de Saint-Tropez have been going on for more than 450 years – since the days when pirates swarmed the Mediterranean coast and the villagers took up arms against the intruders. The pirates may have disappeared, but the proud tradition of defending the town lingers with the people of Saint Tropez – although nowadays it’s more a case of feasting rather than fighting.
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*DISCLAIMER: Published 18 June, 2018. Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
