Stand-up is all the rage in France, and every year, numerous festivals are held across the country. They bring together the best comedians and new talents. Are you a fan of stand-up comedy? Or would you like to discover this fast-growing form of humor? These festivals are not to be missed. With their shared laughter, artistic discoveries and friendly atmosphere, these shows offer unforgettable evenings. Here's a selection of the 12 must-see stand-up festivals in France.
1. Dinard Comedy Festival
The Dinard Comedy Festival is a must for all fans of stand-up comedy. The festival showcases new talent on the comedy scene through competitions and galas. Set in the beautiful seaside resort of Dinard, Brittany, it offers a very convivial atmosphere, so why miss this festival? It's a chance to discover future comedy greats in a warm, intimate atmosphere - and it's in April!
The article to read: Take advantage of your stay in Dinard to discover the town's 13 must-sees.
2. Marseille Stand-Up Festival
The Marseille Stand-Up Festival is a wonderful celebration of stand-up comedy, showcasing a wide variety of comedians. The event takes place in some of Marseille's most emblematic venues, in an exceptional setting. The program, still to be announced, will attract both renowned comedians and promising young talents. Marseille's Mediterranean charm and vibrant energy add a prestigious dimension to this festival. What's more, it brings together humor and cultural discoveries, while allowing you to enjoy 15 of Marseille's must-sees. It's the perfect way to have a laugh while strolling through this dynamic city.
The activity to book A must-do activity if you're visiting Marseille: a visit to the calanques. Book your guided hike with picnic right here.
3. Stand-Up Festivals: La Route des Vannes
La Route des Vannes is a unique traveling festival . It combines humor and wine tasting in the heart of the vineyards of the South of France, in Occitanie. This event will take you on a journey between Montpellier and several Languedoc wineries, with open-air shows. The program features talented comedians such as Mahaut Drama, Tania Dutel, Charles Nouveau, Alexis le Rossignol and Alex Fredo. The exceptional vineyard setting and friendly atmosphere add a special touch to every performance. That's why this festival is a not-to-be-missed experience for fans of good humor and local discoveries. An incomparable opportunity to savor both the humor and the wine heritage of the Languedoc.
4. Festival Les Plages du Rire
The Festival Les Plages du Rire is a summer must in Nice, taking place outdoors at the Théâtre de Verdure. This flagship comedy event hosts comedy shows in an unrivalled summer atmosphere. Previous editions have featured big names such as Elie Semoun, Camille Lellouche and Anthony Joubert, and this new edition promises an equally prestigious line-up. With the Mediterranean as a backdrop, this festival offers incredible evenings, combining laughter and the gentle pace of life on the Côte d'Azur. It's impossible to resist this event, where the quality of the shows blends with the relaxed, festive atmosphere of summer in Nice. Afterwards, you can visit Cannes' 15 must-sees.
Activities to book: don't miss a visit to Nice's old town and castle hill. To do so, book book this guided tour here.
5. Colmar Humor Festival
This festival showcases the biggest names in French-language humor, with a great program. It takes place at the Parc Expo in Colmar, Alsace. Join the fabulous Caroline Vigneaux, Nawell Madani, Laura Laune, Aymeric Lompret and Doully. This festival offers a mix of shows by famous comedians and new talents, in a very convivial atmosphere. It's a whole week dedicated to laughter, with unmissable artists in a warm Alsatian setting.
Read the article Read our latest article on Colmar: an itinerary of visits for 2- or 3-day stays.
6. Stand-Up Festivals: Lillarious
Lillarious is a not-to-be-missed stand-up festival in Lille. The event stands out for its ability to blend laughter and innovation, with a program that includes galas and humorous debates. Set in the heart of the Hauts-de-France region, it brings together both new talent and established comedians, creating an atmosphere that's both innovative and convivial. Highlights include the WOKE ME UP gala and performances at the Théâtre Sébastopol promise to be powerful moments. So why miss out? Lillarious attracts stand-up enthusiasts while delivering a warm atmosphere. It's just the thing for discovering new talent and taking advantage of Lille's unique energy and 15 not-to-be-missed events!
7. Absolutely Hilarious
Absolutely Hilarious is a comedy festival held in Deauville, Normandy. Over 48 hours, it brings together popular comedians such as Olivier de Benoist, Sandrine Alexi and Laurent Baffie, for hilarious performances. This condensed format offers dense programming, concentrated on one show after another in a relaxed atmosphere. It's a unique rendez-vous for comedy aficionados who want to enjoy an intense weekend of laughter, in the chic and charming setting of Deauville.
Read the article: while you're in Deauville, take the opportunity to visit the town and discover its must-sees.
8. Festival Estuaire d'En Rire among the best stand-up festivals
Here's a comedy festival that takes place in the enchanting setting of Honfleur's Greniers à Sel, with a selection of talented comedians. It takes place in September in Honfleur, Normandy. This year, Jeanfi Janssens, Laura Calu, Doully and Yann Marguet made their mark. The exceptional location of the Greniers à Sel makes this festival particularly charming, as does the unique atmosphere of Honfleur and the quality of the program.
9. Les Fous Rires de Bordeaux Festival
This is one of the biggest comedy festivals in France, with over 45 artists and 32 shows spread over a week. It takes place in Bordeaux, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. Join Pierre-Emmanuel Barré, Bérengère Krief and Swann Perissé. The festival takes place at several venues in Bordeaux, and features a variety of comedy shows to suit all tastes. Don't miss it, as it's the perfect opportunity to discover comedians of all styles in one of France's most dynamic cities.
The activity to book: this guided walking tour is the perfect way to discover the city over a short weekend. You can book it right here.
10. Stand-Up Festivals: Le Printemps du Rire
This festival celebrates humor in all its forms, with dozens of shows staged in and around Toulouse. 70 shows will punctuate the month, covering stand-up, one-man shows and comedy. Save the date for a whole month dedicated to humor, with an eclectic program! And did you know? It's one of the oldest and most popular festivals in France. Then, not far away and in summer, enjoy the incredible Festival d'Avignon !
11. Holtzi Humor Festival
Discover the comedy festival in Geispolsheim, near Strasbourg, featuring national and international artists. The program has retained laughter stars such as Isabelle Vitari, Booder, La Bajon and Kody. The festival is a family affair, with styles ranging from stand-up to visual sketches. The diversity of performances and friendly atmosphere make it a must-see.
12. Festival d'Humour de Paris (FUP)
This is the biggest event dedicated to humor in France! It attracts over 100,000 spectators every May in Paris. Many well-known artists such as Gad Elmaleh are present, as well as a France-Algeria evening and new stand-up talents. The FUP offers a wide range of programming, from established comedians to new stand-up revelations. It's France's must-attend comedy event, attracting the very best artists.
Read the article Discover our itinerary tips for organizing your stay in Paris.
FAQ on stand-up and comedy festivals
What's the best stand-up comedy festival in France?
The Festival d'Humour de Paris (FUP) stands out as one of the most popular and prestigious events for French-language stand-up. Every year, it brings together the biggest names in comedy and new revelations. It makes Paris the capital of laughter.
Where to see stand-up in Paris?
Paris has many venues and stages dedicated to stand-up. Among the must-sees are L'Apollo Théâtre, La Nouvelle Seine and Le Paname Art Café. These venues offer shows by young talent as well as established comedians throughout the year.
Which is the best comedy festival in France?
Choosing the best comedy festival depends on individual preferences, but the Festival Les Fous Rires in Bordeaux and the FUP in Paris are among the most renowned for their scope, the diversity of their programming, and their ability to attract headliners.
These 12 not-to-be-missed stand-up festivals provide unique moments of laughter in incredible settings all over France. Don't wait any longer to book your tickets and experience unforgettable evenings! To find out more about the next not-to-be-missed festivals, check out our article on Cultural Festivals: the 10 must-sees in France and stay up to date with all the Festival News on Petit Futé.
