6 Authentic French Festivals: A Journey Through Local Traditions

• Looking for authentic French festivals? We round up the best celebrations loved by locals across France.
• Iconic events like the Nice Carnival and the Cannes Film Festival, plus hidden gems like the Menton Lemon Festival and Bayonne’s Basque celebrations.
• Get a feel for each festival’s atmosphere, food, music and local traditions.
• Find practical tips on how to get there, the easiest TGV routes, nearby airports and the best hotels to stay in.
• Learn the best time of year to visit France if you want music-filled summers, winter carnivals or autumn wine harvests.

From the polished glamour of world-famous events like the Cannes Film Festival to exuberant local traditions rooted in centuries of regional pride, France is a country that delights in celebration. And there's no better place to immerse yourself in local culture and flavour than at a French festival. Journey with us as we reveal our pick of France's most distinctive festivals – authentic experiences loved by locals, shaped by history and infused with unique food, music and spirit.

Each February, the French Riviera transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour as Nice hosts one of the world's oldest and most flamboyant carnivals. For two weeks, enormous papier-mâché floats parade along the Promenade des Anglais, while hundreds of performers and acrobats in fantastical costumes dance through streets showered with confetti and flower petals. Local boulangeries sell socca (chickpea flour pancakes) and pan bagnat (Niçois-style tuna sandwiches) to fuel the festival, and bars overflow with revellers sipping rosé and pastis.

• Take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon (6 hours) or fly into Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
• Stay right in the mix at Mercure Nice Promenade des Anglais Hotel or a short stroll away in the Old Town at Mercure Nice Marché aux Fleurs Hotel.

In August, the Basque Country town of Bayonne erupts into an explosion of music and revelry that draws over a million visitors for the five-day festival. It all starts on a Wednesday evening, when the mayor throws the city keys to the crowds. Fireworks explode, bandas (brass bands) begin playing traditional Basque music and the party doesn't stop until the following Monday morning. In between fandango dancing, head to a pintxos bar for small plates like jambon de Bayonne (the town's famous ham), pimientos and local sheep's cheese.

• Take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse (4 hours) or fly into Biarritz Airport.
• The elegant yet family-friendly Hôtel Mercure Bayonne Centre Le Grand Hotel is your perfect base for this centuries-old French festival. 

In the microclimate-blessed town of Menton, where lemons have grown for centuries, February brings an entirely different celebration. The three-week Lemon Festival transforms the town into a citrus wonderland, with astounding sculptures constructed from lemons and oranges – think intricate monuments, mythological scenes and architectural marvels, some reaching 10 metres high! Stroll through the Jardins Biovès to admire these sculptures and breathe in the intoxicating, citrussy scent. Local chefs embrace the festival with lemon-infused menus, and the festival culminates with fireworks over the sea, reflecting off the Belle Époque architecture that lines the waterfront.

• Take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice (6 hours), then a connecting train (35 min).
• Make Nice your base by staying at Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame Hotel, with a rooftop with panoramic views of the sea, city and mountains, and just 6 minutes' walk to the train station.

World-class orchestras performing beside teenage garage bands. Jazz legends sharing squares with accordion players. Every 21 June, France celebrates the summer solstice with a musical phenomenon that transforms every city, town and village into an open-air venue. It was first held in 1982, and today, millions perform nationwide in every conceivable genre: classical quartets in medieval courtyards, rock bands on café terraces, DJs in public squares, opera singers in metro stations. The beauty of the event? Its democracy – anyone can perform. Paris alone hosts over a thousand official and countless informal performances, and in cities and villages, revellers picnic, dance and enjoy the music late into the warm summer night.

• Whether you're in Paris or elsewhere in France, just step outside – the music will find you.

Europe’s largest Celtic festival takes place every August, as the Brittany port city of Lorient welcomes musicians, dancers and storytellers from all over the world – Ireland, Scotland and as far as the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. For 10 days, bagpipes echo through streets, traditional dancers perform in medieval squares and vendors sell everything from Irish whiskey to Breton cider. Beyond parades, you’ll find concerts in the Stade du Moustoir, maritime celebrations down at the harbour, and workshops teaching Celtic languages, dances and instruments. The vibe is warm and inviting – an authentic reminder of how culture links people across oceans.

• Take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse (3 hours), or fly into Lorient Bretagne Sud Airport (domestic) or Nantes Atlantique.
• Hôtel Mercure Lorient Centre is an ideal base for enjoying the festival as well as exploring the town.

We round off our list back on the French Riviera, where the Cannes Film Festival needs little introduction. For twelve days in May, the Croisette transforms into cinema's most spectacular stage as everyone who’s anyone in the industry comes to celebrate cinema as an art form. Red-carpet premieres, yacht parties and palm-fringed boulevards create scenes of unparalleled French elegance. No accreditation for the official festival? Head down to the beach for Cinéma de la Plage, where you’ll find free open-air screenings showing classics and recent Palme d'Or winners, then venture beyond the spectacle to discover authentic Cannes.

• Take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Cannes (5 hours 15 min) or fly into Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
• The four-star Mercure Cannes Mandelieu Hotel has a pool and bar for unwinding after the excitement of the film festival. Also consider staying in Nice or Antibes, where there'll be less demand for accommodation.

France's festivals offer a window into its soul in a way that feels both timeless and deeply authentic. So whether you're planning a trip around a single standout event or weaving several into a longer journey, take this opportunity to experience the country just as the locals do.

Every region in France has its own traditions. Brittany celebrates Celtic identity with events like the Interceltic Festival, while the Basque Country hosts vibrant celebrations such as the Bayonne Festival. Provence and the Côte d’Azur shine with colourful winter events like the Nice Carnival and Menton Lemon Festival. In northern France, the Dunkerque Carnival reflects seafaring heritage, while events like Montmartre’s harvest festival blend urban culture and history in the heart of the capital.

That depends on whether you prefer big, lively events or more intimate local festivities. Summer (June-August) offers the widest range, including outdoor concerts, cultural celebrations and major national events. Winter (December-March) is ideal for Christmas markets and carnivals, while spring brings food and regional traditions. Autumn (September-October) is perfect for wine harvest festivals. 

Yes. French festivals generally welcome families enthusiastically, with many designed for multi-generational participation. Kids love the colourful parades at events like the Nice Carnival, while Fête de la Musique offers all-ages concerts. With proper planning, most daytime festival activities are appropriate for families.