Don't miss the 10 must-see cultural festivals in France in 2024 for a vibrant selection of art and culture! Indeed, the year promises exceptional cultural effervescence across France! Great festivals and unique exhibitions will reveal artistic treasures that everyone is looking forward to. Lovers of music, theater and cinema, get ready for a year rich in discovery and emotion!
1. Cannes Festival in the top 10 cultural festivals
The prestigious film festival returns for its 77th edition from May 14 to 25, 2024! TheCannes Film Festival 2024 promises to be spectacular, with over 35,000 film professionals and enthusiasts in attendance. They'll all be climbing the 24 steps of the Palais des Festivals. With world-famous stars, renowned directors and eagerly-awaited premieres, the suspense is palpable. George Lucas will receive the Palme d'honneur, Kevin Costner will present Horizon, An American Saga. And Quentin Dupieux 's new comedy will open the festival and the competition for the Palme d'Or in the heart of the Côte d'Azur.
How to get there? Easy access by train or plane to Nice, then transfer to Cannes.
2. Avignon Festival
The Festival d'Avignon 2024, a theater and performing arts festival, will exceptionally start in June to avoid the Paris Olympic Games. As a result, it transforms the City of the Popes into a vast stage for eclectic shows. Visit IN will run from June 29 to July 21, and the OFF from July 3 to 21. Over 1,500 performances in various theaters and venues around the city await you! Take the opportunity to discover Provence! Find out more about the Festival d'Avignon and book your activities here!
How to get there Arrival by TGV direct to Avignon.
3. Hellfest among the best cultural festivals
Hellfest 2024 : June 21-23, 2024 in Clisson! France's biggest metal festival in the Loire-Atlantique region brings together fans from all over the world. Enjoy a rich program and electrifying atmosphere for a memorable experience! This incredible and eagerly-awaited event promises to be spectacular. Dave Grohland the Foo Fighters will be on hand for a memorable finale. Over 160 bands have been announced, including Metallica and The Prodigy. They are spread over 6 stages in Clisson. Legends such as Queens of the Stone Age, The Offspring and Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, as well as bands like Megadeth and Avenged Sevenfold, guarantee a crazy atmosphere. Book your tickets your tickets for the Hellfest Warm-Up Tour!
How do I get there? To attend Hellfest 2024 in Clisson, you can take the train to Clisson station from Nantes. There are direct connections to all major French cities. Once in Clisson, the festival is easily accessible on foot or by special shuttle bus.
4. Vidéo Mapping Festival 2024 among cultural festivals
The Video Mapping Festival returns for its 7th edition in 2024, lighting up the Hauts-de-France region from April to October 2024. Beauvais Photo Mapping transforms Beauvais's Saint-Pierre cathedral into a spectacular canvas. Monumental projections on the walls of this Gothic jewel will highlight Picardy's heritage in an impressive sound and light show. With events in Lille, Amiens and some 30 other cities, the festival celebrates video mapping in all its forms.
How do I get there? To attend the Vidéo Mapping Festival 2024, which will be held in several towns in the Hauts-de-France region, here are a few tips:
- The main festival cities, such as Lille, Amiens and Beauvais, are easily accessible by TGV or regional trains;
- If you choose to come by car , freeways and trunk roads offer direct access to most of the festival towns. Parking can be more difficult in the city center, so check out the options for park-and-ride or peripheral parking lots;
- Once on site, use local public transport.
5. Lorient Interceltic Festival 2024
The 53rd edition of the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, from August 12 to 18, 2024, will showcase Celtic youth. Attracting over 4,500 artists from various Celtic countries, the festival celebrates Brittany and its culture with events such as the Grand Parade of Celtic Nations on August 15, music and dance performances, and traditional sports competitions. A rich program promises artistic discoveries and memorable performances for over 800,000 visitors.
How do I get there? To get to the Lorient Interceltic Festival, you can take a direct train to Lorient station from several major French cities, including Paris. Once in Lorient, the festival is easily accessible on foot, by local bus, or by cab from the station.
6. Rencontres d'Arles 2024: International Photography Festival
From July 1 to September 29, 2024, Les Rencontres d'Arles lights up the city with this major event that attracts over 100,000 visitors to discover the works of some 40photography exhibitions by the world's most renowned artists following the example of Nicolas Gravier. The 2024 edition promises fresh perspectives through captivating visual narratives, open every day, including public holidays.
How do I get there? To attend Rencontres d'Arles 2024, you can take a direct train to Arles station from major cities like Paris, Marseille, or Montpellier. Once in Arles, the festival is easily accessible on foot from the station, or by local buses serving various points in the city.
7. Lyon Street Food Festival among the 10 cultural festivals not to be missed
From June 13 to 16, 2024, the Lyon Street Food Festival is France's biggest culinary festival. What's more, it's moving to a spectacular new site: Les Grandes Locos in La Mulatière, Lyon. In other words, for its 8th edition, the festival promises an enriched experience with over 100 chefs presenting 200 live recipes, accompanied by concerts, DJ sets and cultural activities. The festival celebrates culinary diversity and the transmission of gastronomic know-how in a historic setting.
How do I get there? To get to the Lyon Street Food Festival at Les Grandes Locos, La Mulatière, you can take a train or bus to Lyon. From there, local public transport, such as the streetcar or bus, will take you directly to La Mulatière. Special shuttle buses provide easy access from downtown Lyon.
8. Cultural festivals: Feÿ Arts 2024
Feÿ Arts takes place from May 3 to 5 in Villecien. This festival deploys a multidisciplinary artistic experience in the setting of the Château du Feÿ. This event, born in 2018, is not limited to music, but integrates cinema, contemporary art, architecture and gastronomy to create an artistic laboratory. The 2024 program features talents such as Fischbach, Tracy de Sà, and filmmakers Alexis Langlois as well as the duo Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel.
How do I get there? To get to Feÿ Arts, you can take the train to the nearest station, Joigny or Auxerre, then continue by cab or car to Château du Feÿ. Then, if you're traveling by car, Villecien is accessible via the A6 freeway, followed by a short local road leading directly to the festival.
9. Angoulême International Comics Festival
The Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Angoulême is one of the biggest events dedicated to comics in the world. It takes place every year in Angoulême, attracting some 6,000 industry professionals. The festival takes place at over 20 different sites in the city. It features a wide range of activities, including some twenty exhibitions in museums and other cultural spaces. Eight thematic zones feature areas for young people, publishers and manga, as well as master classes and two shows focusing on comics. It also features a Christian comics program, with events in St Peter's Cathedral and St Martial's Church. Alongside the main activities, an "Off" festival offers other events and meetings.
How do I get there? To get to the Angoulême Comics Festival, take the train direct from Paris or Bordeaux. Local buses and shuttles are available on site.
10. Django Reinhardt Festival
The 44th Django Reinhardt Festival will be held from June 27 to 30, 2024 in the park of the Château de Fontainebleau, bringing together jazz fans and great musical figures on two stages. As a result, over 15 bands, including Black Pumas, Les Égarés, Jalen Ngonda, Endea Owens, Angelo Debarre, and Sting, promise four vibrant days of exceptional performances. Book your tickets your tickets for the Django Reinhardt Festival!
How do I get there? To get to the Django Reinhardt Festival in Fontainebleau, you can take the train from Paris to the Fontainebleau-Avon station, then continue by bus or cab to the Château de Fontainebleau park. If you prefer to drive, Fontainebleau is about an hour's drive from Paris via the A6 freeway.
How to plan your cultural festivals in France?
For the best experience, book your tickets and accommodation well in advance. Consider public transport options to access the sites, and plan your itinerary to include other local attractions. Finally, to make sure you don't forget anything at your next festival, check out our essential festival checklist!
What is a cultural festival?
Cultural festivals are events that celebrate various forms of art and culture. Indeed, they are centered around specific themes such as music, dance, food or film. These festivals can focus on a specific art form, such as opera, or offer a wide range of shows, exhibitions and workshops. For this reason, they are an undeniable enrichment for any art lover! They often include educational and participatory programs for all ages, including festivals dedicated to children.
What's the biggest cultural festival in France?
According to a recent study, the biggest French festival is the Festival interceltique de Lorient, with 900,000 visitors in 2022. However, it is closely followed by Hellfest with 420,000 festival-goers!
What are the best music festivals in France?
Among the must-see music festivals of 2024 in France, the most popular remain Solidays, Tomorrowland, and the Festival des vieilles Charrues.
These 10 must-see cultural festivals in France in 2024 are unforgettable experiences! They give you the chance to experience exceptional moments of joy and cultural discovery. And to find out even more about other major cultural and musical events, log on to the Petit Futé festival news section!
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