It is that time of the year again and we love it! There is a festive, innocent and holiday energy vibe gaining the entire country as the summer comes and it will feel at its best during the music festivals !
Whether you are a jazz, hip hop, classical or electronic music aficionado doesn’t matter: France really does have a very high quality selection, if not the best in Europe, of music festival scene !
So pick your sunglasses, come with us, we’ll guide around our 7 favorite festivals so that you can find the perfect stage for you !
Outdoor classical opera in an Antique theatre: Orange
© Philippe Gromelle
Experience the power and the perfection of antic theatre acoustic ! Hosted in one of the best preserved outdoor antic theatre of South of France, in July, this beautiful festival will let your imagination wander, gazing at the starry night while listening to the best opera singers. Plan this as part of your Provence holidays: performance get postponed to the next day in case of bad weather.
Calvi On the Rocks: confidential and good electro vibes
©Calvi on the Rocks
Forget about Ibiza and its gross, bling-bling house music. Calvi on the Rocks is the little gem to watch out for if you appreciate electronic music. Europe’s best trending DJs and composers gather at the Corsican historical fortress for a few days to give you a top electro experience.
Even better? The off-festival is hosted during day-time on Calvi paradise beaches, and guess what? It is truly safe and well-spirited.
Montreux Jazz Festival
There is almost no need to introduce this heavyweight of the musical scene. While actually in Switzerland, Montreux is one of the world’s best stage for international jazz masters. Every year shows an amazing lineup of the most talentuous solo or band players. The perfect holiday idea to enjoy a relaxing and glamorous experience by the Lac Leman !
Jazz in Marciac
© Francis Vernhet
For those of you looking for something more intimate, a great jazz atmosphere to combine with the SouthWest of France’s lifestyle “bon vivant”, head to Marcia instead. From end of July and during the entire August, the best jazz players gather in this small venue: enjoy the beauty of the countryside, go for Armagnac tastings at day, and attend performances of Ibrahim Maalouf, Melody Gardot, or Lisa Simone at night!
Main Square Festival
© MaxPPP
Unknown name? But unbelievable lineup !! Over the years, Main Square in Arras, a small city in the North of France has proven to be one of the most remarkable pop music scene of the summer. Have you ever dreamt of seeing Muse, Pharrell Williams, Radiohead all in the same place? Go rush to Main Square early July!
Hellfest
Hellfest is a planet of its own ! Nested in a small village of the Loire Valley, at the end of June, Europe’s biggest gathering of metal music fan lovers, it’s actually a show even if you do not like metal music. Come watch some of the best costumes and weird (but nice) people at this joyful and no-so-scary festival !
Eurockeennes
One of the oldest and biggest pop-rock festival in Europe, Eurockeennes de Belfort is for those looking for large, crowded, several days typical festival experience. Find a hotel or an apartment near-by and buckle-up for a music marathon with several stages to choose from. Famous artists, new trends, serious rock’n’roll or rap and r’n’b, Eurockeennes has it all ! Make sure you plan some rest afterwards 🙂
Practical tips:
Most festivals sell tickets from 40 to 250 Euros a day. And if you can’t get a ticket for the official concert or representation, keep in mind that there is always an “off” scene, with usually plenty of fun and great musicians too ! And yes, the festivals are yearly, you will get a chance to come back in case you’ve missed it.
