As summer approaches, festivals are making a comeback! Listening to live music, in the fresh air and in good company, is the ideal recipe for a successful summer weekend. Every year, a host of festivals take place in France: rock, pop or indie, there's something for everyone! The stages are scattered all over the country, hosting both emerging and established artists. Le Petit Futé has compiled a non-exhaustive list of the 17 best festivals in France!
1 - Francofolies de La Rochelle
If you love the French language, La Rochelle is the place for you! Every year, the Francofolies promote French-language music with a rich program. At the same time, the festival supports young artists and promotes the teaching of French chanson in schools. This year, the Francofolies will take place from July 12 to 16, 2023, and we're expecting DJ Snake, Soprano and Michel Polnareff, among others.
2 - Arras Main Square Festival
In the enchanting setting of the citadel of Arras, the Main Square Festival has seen many international artists perform, including Placebo, Black Eyed Peas and Muse. Inaugurated in 2004, the festival's aim was to revitalize the region, and today it's one of the most important summer events in the Hauts-de-France region. This year, the Main Square Festival will take place from June 30 to July 2, 2023, and David Guetta and the Maroon 5 will be on hand!
3 - Lyon's Nuits sonores
This annual festival focuses on the very best in independent and digital electronic music. For the past 15 years, Les Nuits sonores has made it a point of honor to offer a cutting-edge program, in emblematic Lyon venues reinvested for the occasion. This year's line-up includes Jennifer Cardini and her brilliant techno mixes, jazzman Kamasi Wahington and American rapper Action Bronson. Les Nuits sonores will take place from May 17 to 21, 2023, so make the most of public holidays!
4 - The Beauregard Festival in Hérouville-Saint-Clair
Every summer in Normandy, not far from Caen, the festivalwelcomes a host of artists to the château de Beauregard. For its 10th edition, an exceptional program has been announced! The eagerly-awaited opening performance by Orelsan, one of our very own, is a must. On Saturday, international group The Offspring will set the stage alight, followed by Macklemore on Sunday... Nothing less! The Beauregard festival takes place from July 5 to 9, 2023.
5 - Calvi on the rocks
Six days of fun in the sun and on the water? Head for Calvi in June! Since 2003, Calvi on the Rocks has welcomed the crème de la crème of international electronic artists, while opening up its program to other styles (we remember the presence of Christophe in 2014 or the rock group Phoenix in 2009). In an exceptional setting, in the shadow of the citadel, the festival's atmosphere is just like Calvi: cool and hip. Calvi on the rocks takes place from June 30 to July 3, 2023.
6 - Hellfest in Clisson
Voted best major festival by the Festival Awards France, Hellfest has captured the hearts of the French over the past 13 years. It's the summer's rendezvous for punk, metal and hardcore music! This year, over 160 bands will perform in Clisson, a small town in the Loire-Atlantique region that has become a temple to extreme music. Headliners include Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Limp Bizkit and Marilyn Manson! Hellfest will take place from June 15 to 18, 2023.
7 - Les Eurockéennes de Belfort
Since 1989, every first weekend in July, Belfort has been the place to be! Les Eurockéennes welcomes some 130,000 festival-goers over 4 days on the Malsaucy peninsula, a protected natural setting just a few kilometers from Belfort. Since 1989, the festival has welcomed such big names as Amy Winehouse, Daft Punk and Lou Reed. This year, Texas, Beth Ditto and Orelsan will be performing on the peninsula! The Eurockéennes take place from June 29 to July 2, 2023.
8 - Nîmes Festival
For an entire month in summer, the Gallo-Roman arenas of Nîmes play host to prestigious artists. From David Bowie and Julien Doré to Manu Chao and Placebo, the Nîmes Festival has always delighted audiences of all ages. This year, Ennio Morricone will present his farewell show in a concert that promises to be unforgettable! Shaka Ponk and Vitalic will also be on hand to get the crowd moving, as will Sting and Lenny Kravitz. From Roman games to concerts under the stars, the Nîmes arena never ceases to amaze! The Nîmes Festival takes place from June 23 to July 22, 2023.
9 - Les Vieilles Charrues de Carhaix
It all started as a joke! The Vieilles Charrues festival was in fact a thumbing of the nose at the Fête des Vieux Gréements in Brest. Since 1992, however, it has become a benchmark in France. Every year, the town of Carhaix in central Finistère welcomes more than 280,000 festival-goers to warm up to the sounds of today's top hits. This year's line-up includes Orelsan, Liam Gallagher and IAM! The Vieilles Charrues festival will take place from July 13 to 17, 2023.
10 - Solidays in Paris
Organized in aid of the Solidarité-Sida association, the Solidays festival attracts over 150 artists and up to 200,000 festival-goers to the Longchamp racecourse every year. For the past 20 years, profits from this event have been used to set up prevention and support initiatives for sufferers in some twenty countries. So, once again this year, come and see David Guetta, Bagarre or IAM in a festive and supportive atmosphere! The Solidays festival takes place from June 23 to 25, 2023.
11 - Le Printemps de Bourges
Le Printemps de Bourges is a music festival focused on artistic discovery and contemporary music. It showcases emerging talent and takes place at various downtown venues. The festival is made up of several venues (generally around ten) configured according to the musical color of the artists. Printemps de Bourges takes place from April 18 to 23, 2023.
12 - Rock en Seine
Close to Paris, Rock en Seine is one of France's most eagerly awaited rock festivals. It welcomes both national and international artists. Set in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, the festival has been running since 2003. This year's program includes artists such as Billie Eilish and Florence + The Machine. Rock en Seine takes place from August 23 to 27, 2023.
13 - The Marsatac Festival
Taking place in Marseille since 1999, the Marsatac festival, originally dedicated to the local hip-hop scene, has expanded its line-ups to include international hip-hop, electro and rock artists. This year, it will welcome artists such as Aya Nakamura and Le Rat Lucciano. Marsatac takes place from June 16 to 18, 2023.
14 - The Lorient Interceltic Festival
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient (FIL) in Brittany is a celebration of Celtic culture. To do so, it showcases traditional music by bringing together artists and groups from countries and regions of Celtic origin, over a ten-day period. The Lorient Interceltic Festival takes place from August 4 to 13, 2023.
15 - Les Déferlantes du Sud de France
Formerly located in Argelès-sur-Mer and Céret, the Déferlantes du Sud de France is now taking place in Le Barcarès this year. Featuring internationally renowned artists, the festival is divided into several stages, each with its own program. Déferlantes du Sud de France takes place from July 6 to 9, 2023.
16 - Musilac Festival
First held in 2000 under the name Musikolac, the Musilac festival is located in the Parc Floral des Thermes in Aix-les-Bains and is now the region's biggest pop-rock event. Boat trips are also provided by the Compagnie des bateaux du lac du Bourget, to follow the festival from the lake. The Musilac festival takes place from July 5 to 8, 2023.
17 - The Garoroc festival
The Garoroc festival is a rap, pop, rock, techno and electro music event held in Marmande. It's a major event, this year welcoming world-famous international artists such as Macklemore and Central Cee, as well as French artists such as David Guetta. The Garoroc festival takes place from June 29 to July 2, 2023.
