Events

Tickets for Olympic athlete parade in Paris sold out in under two hours

Athletes expected to take part include judo gold medallist Teddy Riner, record-breaking swimmer Léon Marchand and rugby star Antoine Dupont

Concerns raised over a ‘prepare for aliens' event in Limoges

Up to 3,000 people are expected but a local official fears it could be a ‘breeding ground for extremism’

Costume, music, floats: where to see France’s vibrant carnival parades

Celebrate the end of winter with feasting and fun at a carnival near you

news

First stereotype busting event for older people being held in Paris

The aim of the event to give a voice to retirees

Interesting facts on this week’s Tour de France destinations

What do we know about the French places that the cycling extravaganza is passing through?

Firefighters, fêtes and forms: Key dates to know this July in France

From culture to community events, here is our wrap of what is happening next month

Did you know a US musician inspired France’s Fête de la Musique?

The French government launched the musical festival in 1982 but the idea for such an event was conceived several years earlier

What is France’s Fête de la musique and what is going on near me?

From traditional sounds in Brittany to a beach party in Marseille, the music extravaganza is a key date in France’s cultural calendar

From bagpipes to bicycles: up and coming arts and culture in France

We look at some of the events and happenings coming up this summer

Rouen Armada: Sailing ship festival set to buoy northern French city

The 10-day extravaganza will include more than 40 ships taking part in a special maritime parade

US veteran and social media star, 100, in France for D-Day anniversary

Jake Larson has found fame on TikTok recounting his experiences as a soldier in the first wave of US troops to land on Omaha Beach in 1944

Celebrate haggis, whisky, and the Auld Alliance in France

Discover the ancient friendship between Scotland and France lives on through a host of festivals in the Hexagon, with traditional music, games, and men in kilts

French church insists death threats will not cancel pole dancing show

‘You can't just give in to threats,’ said the church’s pastor

More than 800 cousins from same French family gather for a party

A French couple’s dying wishes began the tradition in 1898

Union threat to turn out lights at Cannes, Monaco F1 and French Open

It is part of ongoing protests against France’s controversial pension reforms

What big events in France require a ‘health pass’ from today?

Large football and other sports events, music festivals, and conferences are affected but not theme parks or zoos

Covid France: Summer 2021 festivals limited to 5,000 people

The culture minister confirmed the limit, and announced a new €30 million relief fund for festivals

Southern French village cancels all future bullfight events

The decision in the village of Vergèze in the Gard comes after a bull escaped during the annual festival last year

Best festivals and events in France October 2020

What's on this month in France? A fashion exhibition, a festival about architecture, a day celebrating nature and more...

Covid-19 in France: ‘Much bigger impact’ than thought

The coronavirus Covid-19 is expected to have a “much bigger impact” on France than thought, including on the economy, schools, high-profile events, tourist destinations, and cultural spaces.

Events in France this month: art, nature and music festivals

Discover the events not to miss in France this September.

Vintage vehicles take to streets of Paris

Hundreds of cars, vans, buses, motorbikes and tractors are expected to take part in the 13th annual Traversée de Paris

France to allow gatherings of more than 5,000 from August 15

Gatherings of more than 5,000 people are to be permitted once again in France - with some conditions - from August 15; including concerts, shows, festivals, and salons.

French town to hold Europe's first garage sale for naturists

A seaside town in the Vendée is to hold a vide-grenier (garage sale) for naturists to celebrate world naturism day.

Our pick of top 3 Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts 2020

Despite Open Gardens being halted, Jane Hanks still discovers the passion and skill behind three great jardins.

What's on(line): films, music, gallery tours & more

A round up of the arts and culture stories creating a buzz in France.

Enjoy Languedoc Trilogy author talk

Popular novelist, Kate Mosse is the guest in this Friday’s online series of talks with authors organised for the confinement period by the Franco-British literary festival, Festilitt.

Franco-British literary festival’s lockdown events

A weekly literary treat open to all during the confinement period has been set up by the organisers of an acclaimed annual Franco-British literary festival.

What’s on in France – March 2020

Please note that due to Covid-19 virus, many events are being cancelled or postponed. Make sure you check events are still being held by organisers before you go. Music hits centre stage as France swings into Spring

French ‘human plane’ flies at 1,800m for first time

A Frenchman dubbed “the human plane” has flown at an altitude of 1,800 metres for the first time ever, using a carbon fibre “wing” propelled by four mini motors.

Paris Scots Kirk honours Tartan Pimpernel

The life of a Church of Scotland minister, who rescued 2,000 soldiers and airmen during World War Two, is to be the subject of a play on Saturday, at the Scots Kirk in Paris.

Popular French car show takes visitors back to Sixties

Organisers call for Britons who have a car they would like to show to get in touch

Lyon's Fête des Lumières lightshows revealed

Some of the stunning displays that will grace the annual event taking place across the city in early December unveiled

New Paris 2024 Olympic Games logo revealed

The new logo for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been revealed, with a design that features the symbol of France the Marianne, the Olympic flame, and a gold medal.

Standard bearers sought for commemoration event in Èze

The Royal British Legion is seeking three standard-bearers for the commemoration of the escape of a group of RAF airmen from the Fort de la Revère in Èze, near Nice, this Saturday.

A week... to explore different food tastes

Today is the first day of La Semaine du Goût , a week-long culinary celebration of taste involving thousands of events across France.

7 things to see during the European heritage days

European heritage days or les journées du patrimoine, which take place this weekend in France, are the perfect occasion to visit most museums and monuments for free.

Wacky race of bosses and workers on mopeds at Le Mans

This Saturday hundreds of business managers and teams made up of their employees dressed in blue capes will race vintage mopeds against each other around Le Mans race track to have some fun outside of the office.

French ‘world’s best’ theme park opens site in Spain

The French Puy-du-Fou historical theme park in the Vendée (Pays-de-la-Loire) - previously voted the “world’s best” theme park - has opened a new sister site in Spain, near the city of Toledo.

French hilltop village scales literary heights

Cross-country motor rally revs up to boost Red Cross

Rally round to see an incredible variety of motor vehicles revving up to raise funds for charity

Hollywood glamour on show at Paris exhibition

Never-before-seen photographs of Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, and Cher are on show at a gallery in Paris.

Macron marks France's 'second D-Day' in Provence

Southern invasion of France started in the evening of August 14, 1944, two months after the Normandy landings

France’s ‘flying man’ succeeds in Channel crossing

French ‘flying man’ Franky Zapata has successfully crossed the Channel today on his jet-powered ‘flyboard’, on his second attempt at the feat.

Best sites in France to watch the stars this weekend

Astronomy experts have recommended seven sites across France from which skygazers should watch the annual “Night of Stars” event, which is set for this weekend (Friday August 2 to Sunday August 4).

Tour de France could return to England in 2022

Reports in France suggest that Yorkshire is in the running to host the Grand Départ for a second time

French street art pioneer opens new career exhibition

Work by one of the pioneers of French street art over the past 57 years is now on show in a new exhibition in Avignon.

France marks 75 years since Oradour-sur-Glane tragedy

Today (Monday June 10) marks the 75th anniversary of the massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane (Haute-Vienne), in which 642 civilians were slaughtered by the Nazis in 1944.

New stamp of Château de Chambord to be sold in France

A new stamp to celebrate 500 years since construction began on the famous Loire monument, le Château de Chambord, is to be released in select post offices by La Poste this June 3.

Parachute drop is highlight of series of events

This year’s commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy are expected to be the last ‘big anniversary’ for many of the old soldiers who were there in 1944.

The Eiffel Tower celebrates its 130th anniversary

The Eiffel Tower celebrates the 130th anniversary of its opening tomorrow.

French Ligue 1 match has female referee for first time

A woman is set to referee a match for the French Ligue 1 this weekend, making her the first female referee ever to do so, the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) has confirmed.

Nice pictures of kite festival in Berck-sur-Mer

International kite festival les Rencontres Internationales de Cerfs-Volants has ended with a night of fireworks and a light show at the beach of Berck-sur-Mer.

Macron: Notre-Dame will be rebuilt as fund nears €1bn

President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that the Notre-Dame cathedral will be rebuilt within the next five years, as thousands have gathered to pay their respects, and the rebuilding fund nears €1 billion.

Town honours historical gridlock with big traffic jam

Medieval commune on Nationale 6 route recalls traffic levels of past with classic car rally

Trump to visit France for D-Day 75th anniversary

US President Donald Trump is to visit Normandy in June this year for the 75th anniversary commemorations of D-Day, he has said.

130,000 tickets already sold for Tutankhamun in Paris

'Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh' exhibition starts in Paris tomorrow and is expected to be a success.

What's On in France - April 2019

What to do, where to go and what to see in France

Green ray of light will appear on Christ statue

The phenomenon is unique in France

Dunkirk carnival ‘seagull cry’ contest has new winner

This year’s Dunkirk carnival has crowned a new winner of its annual “seagull’s cry” contest (“ cri de la mouette ”), as the unusual festivities continue throughout the month.

What's on in France - March 2019

What to do, where to go and what to see in France

100 years of Citroën marked at classic car show

Models charting the history of the car maker will be on show at the fourth annual Perigueux Classic Auto event in February

French women make world’s biggest Christmas jumper

A group of women from Albi (Tarn, Occitanie) are challenging themselves to knit the world’s biggest Christmas jumper after successfully competing in the Ugly Jumper World Championship in 2017.

46-tonne Minotaur roams streets of Toulouse

Four days of parades attended an estimated 600,000 visitors

French festival friends brew cassoulet-flavoured beer

Two friends in Toulouse (Occitanie) - who are founders of a local beer festival - have combined the region’s local dish with their favourite drink, and created a cassoulet beer.

French woman first to win World’s Best Pastry Chef

Frenchwoman and pastry chef Christelle Brua has become the first woman ever to be named the World’s Best Restaurant Pastry Chef.

High-tech innovations abound at Paris Motor Show 2018

New cars and innovations are being exhibited at this year’s Paris Motor Show, including self-driving vehicles, voice controls, and the first exhibition in France for French Renault offshoot brand, Alpine.

Pink October reminds women of breast cancer check ups

Women aged 50 and over in France are being reminded that they are entitled to regular breast check-ups to avoid cancer, in this month’s 25th annual “Pink October” awareness campaign.

Public invited to dine half price at French museums

High-end restaurants in museums and galleries across France are to offer half-price dining this October, in the biggest “Tous au Restaurant” event ever, including several Michelin-starred menus.

France prepares for annual bird migration events

Almost 150 public events are to be organised in France early next month as part of this year’s EuroBirdwatch, the annual international celebration of European bird migration on October 6 and 7.

French athlete Kévin Mayer sets decathlon world record

French athlete Kévin Mayer has become the first ever Frenchman to hold a world record for the decathlon, beating the previous record-holder, American athlete Ashton Eaton, this weekend.

7,700m skydives to take place for first time in France

Members of the public will be able to parachute from an altitude of 7,700 metres for the first time ever in France, this September - nearly double the usual height, and including a free fall of two minutes.

French riding schools open doors to public from today

Riding schools, pony clubs and equestrian centres across France are opening their doors to the public for free in September, in a bid to encourage more people to take up riding.

Craft fair is still open to welcome newcomers

Many members of EuroMayenne Association are putting finishing touches to work for the annual craft fair on October 28 but there is still time for others to sign up and exhibit.

Ravel’s ‘crazy’ Boléro is 90 this year

This autumn sees the 90th anniversary of French composer Maurice Ravel’s Boléro , one of the most popular pieces of classical music in the world despite – or perhaps because of – it being so unconventional.