From time to time, we share here the most beautiful cultural, culinary, and local festivities in Provence and on the Côte d’Azur. Discover markets in picturesque villages, open-air summer concerts, medieval village festivals, and special regional events. Take a look at our calendar and get inspired for your next stay in Southern France with VillaSud.
For more Events, check out the Tips on our website.
Barjols – Fête de la St. Marcel (mid-January).
Monaco and the hinterland – Monte Carlo Rally (end of the month).
Valbonne – Fête de Saint Blaise, grape and regional produce festival (last weekend).
Bormes-les-Mimosas – The Grand Mimosa Corso, a beautiful traditional flower parade (two weeks around Carnival).
Carpentras – Truffle and wine festival (first Sunday), celebrating the “black gold”.
Nice – Carnaval - Carnival: carnival and flower parades (two weeks around Carnival).
Villefranche-sur-Mer – Naval battle with flowers: sailing boat parade and flower corsos (Monday before Carnival).
Aix-en-Provence – Les Rencontres du 9e Art: comic strip festival.
Avignon - Motor Festival
Villeneuve Lez Avignon – Fête de la Saint-Marc (last weekend): wine-themed festival.
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – Antiques market (the largest in Provence, alongside the one in August).
La Nuit des musées – Evening opening of French museums (from sunset until 1:00 a.m.).
Bouc-Bel-Air – Rare and Mediterranean plants at the Jardins d’Albertas (last weekend).
Tarascon – Fêtes de la Tarasque (last weekend): major folk festival centred on the legendary monster.
Aix-en-Provence – International opera festival.
Arles – Pegoulado (Friday before the first Sunday of the month): evening parade in traditional costume.
Avignon – Theatre and dance festival
Beaucaire – Fêtes de la Madeleine (last ten days): historical evocation of medieval fairs.
Cavaillon – ‘Melons en fêtes’ (mid-July), celebrating the melon.
Graveson – Fête de la Saint-Éloi (last weekend): parades with decorated floats honouring the patron saint of farriers.
Marseille – festival de Marseille, contemporary dance and music.
Monaco – International fireworks festival.
Nice - Summer Evenings. Free world music concerts (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Saint-Maxime-la-Sainte-Baume – Fête de Sainte-Marie-Madelaine (end of July), in the basilica.
Briançon – Contemporary dance festival.
Brignoles – Jazzfestival (early August).
Châteauneuf-du-Pape –Winegrowers’ festival in a medieval setting (first weekend).
Fréjus – Grape festival (early August).
Gordes – Festival Soirées d’ Été (first half of August).
Hyères – French song festival.
L’ Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – Very large antiques market (second weekend).
Menton – Chamber music festival.
Monaco – International fireworks festival.
Nice – Summer evenings. Free world music concerts (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Orange – Chorégies: operas and symphonic concerts in the ancient theatre.
Ramatuelle – Theatre festival (first half of August).
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin – Passion procession (early August).
Salon-de-Provence - Festival de l’Empéri (first half of August).
Sault – Lavender festival (15 August).
Tarascon – Medieval festival (third weekend of August).
Vaison-la-Romaine – International Choralies (first half of August, every three years: 2010/2013/2016, etc.).
Vallauris – Pottery festival (second Sunday).
Valréas - Lavender parade (first Saturday and Monday of August).
Varages - Ceramics festival (second Sunday).
Bormes les Mimosas – Various events throughout the town.
Cannes – Regatta (last week).
Fayence – Feast of Saint Mary.
Marseille - Internationale trade fair themed around sustainable development.
Vence – Crafts festival (end of September).
Fayence - String quartet music festival (end of October).
Fréjus – Roc d’Azur (mountain bike races) (early October).
Marseille – Harbour music festival (very popular).
Roquebrune-sur-Argens - Honey festival (first weekend).
St. Tropez – Les Voiles, sailing races (27 September to 5 October).
Cannes – International Dance Festival (early October, odd-numbered years).
Marseille – Foire aux santons.
Monaco - National Holiday (19 November).
Tarascon, Gardenne – Santons market (last weekend).
Aix – The week of the thirteen desserts (the week before Christmas).
Bandol – Wine festival (first Sunday).