Festivals, Olympics, meteor showers: Key August dates in France
The summer month will see many workers go on holiday as the Olympics come to an end and the Paralympics begin
August 11: End of Olympic Games
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games officially come to a close with the closing ceremony. It takes place at the Stade de France, a few hours after the final event - the women’s marathon.
August 12 - 18: Lacanau Pro
The oldest surfing competition in France will take place for the 43rd time. Running since 1979, surfing, skating and music are all on the schedule over the course of the week which takes place in Lacanau in the south-west of France.
It is a part of the Qualifying Series of the World Surf League, which grants entry to the prestigious Championship Tour.
August 15: Assomption
Assomption (Assumption of Mary) is a bank holiday in France, celebrating the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life.
The date is commemorated because that was the day that the first church in Jerusalem was consecrated to the Virgin Mother.
There are often fireworks to celebrate.
August 21 - 25: Rock en Seine
One of the biggest festivals in France takes place August 21 to 25 in Paris.
Saint-Cloud will see the arrival of tens of thousands of rock fans. Acts this year include Lana Del Rey (her only French date), the Pixies, Fred Again and Kasabian. It was first organised over 20 years ago in 2003, when Massive Attack performed.
Read more: Dates of France’s top must-see music festivals in 2024
August 22 - 25: Fête de la Mirabelle
Over 60,000 spectators are expected to attend the Fête de la Mirabelle this year in Metz (Moselle), celebrating the mirabelle, a fruit typical of the Lorainne region in the northwest of France, as well as other local products.
There will be a market welcoming various producers, distillers, jam-makers and confectioners of the emblematic fruit. There will also be concerts, street performances, a parade of floral floats and the election of la Reine de la Mirabelle.
August 28 - September 8: Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games will host up to 4,400 athletes from all over the world. They will take part in 549 medal events in 22 sports across a week and a half.
A “record number” of countries have agreed broadcast deals according to organisers, with “over 160” televising events compared to 115 for the Paralympic Games in London in 2012.
Read more: A guide for those in Paris during the Olympic and Paralympic games
August 31: Les fêtes d'Agen
Previously known as the Grand Pruneau Show, Les fêtes d'Agen is a festival organised by the town of Agen in the south west of France.
It takes place the last weekend of August and will showcase famous French artists such as Pascal Obispo and Olivia Ruiz. It will also include a breakdancing show, a waiter race and a graffiti workshop among other things.
Holidays
France has a reputation for grinding to a halt in August, when many people go on holiday. Those who do are called aoûtiens, a term that entered the Larousse dictionary in 1973.
August is usually - in a non-Olympics year - a good time to visit Paris as the capital is quieter. On the other hand, you may find administrative work more difficult during this time as many mairie and government employees are on holiday.
Read more: Who are France’s juilletistes and aoûtiens?
Astronomy
The Perseid meteor shower will be at its peak of visibility in the night between August 12 and August 13, and visible between August 17 and 24. They are called the Perseids because they generally appear from the direction of the Perseus constellation.
Saturn will be occulted by the Moon in the morning of August 21, which is a great way to see the Universe in motion.
On the morning of August 28, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn will be aligned, four of which are expected to be visible with the naked eye.
