September in France is teeming with events, festivals and concerts as La Rentrée, the return to work, school and normality after the summer holidays. It’s a time of renewed energy and enthusiasm in France and you’ll find plenty going on to keep you entertained. We take a look at the major events in France September 2014…
No national holidays in September 2104 in France
Nationwide events in France September 2014:
France Gourmet Week known as “Tous Au Restaurant”22-28 September 2014. All over France for a whole week restaurants will put offer a buy one meal, get one free menu. Search on the website for participating restaurants: www.tousaurestaurant.com
Fete de la Gastronomie 26-28 September, every corner of France will come alive with events to celebrate its UNESCO-listed ‘world intangible heritage’ status. From grand-scale concerts to local sing-a-longs, Michelin-star set menus to small village banquets, the country will be in lively spirits to celebrate one of its most popular claims to fame. www.economie.gouv.fr/fete-gastronomie
Journées Européennes du Patrimoine – European Heritage Days: 20 and 21 September across the whole country, hundreds of historical buildings, famous monuments, Government sites and places of interest – some of which are normally closed to the public, open their doors and welcome in visitors. It is an amazing opportunity to explore and find out more about some truly fantastic buildings in France. Discover the heritage of France, more about Journées Européennes du Patrimoine. www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr/
Major Regional events in France 2014
Cognac, Coup de Chauffe, 4-7 September 2014. Street artists and performers entertain the crowds for three days in this festival: www.coupdechauffe.com
Normandy, Deauville 5 – 14 September 2014. Festival of American Cinema – all the best American films of the year are shown, actors and directs attend – rumour has it Will Ferrell will be in town. There’s a chance to see some independent cinema offerings in this lovely Normandy town. www.deauville.org
Nord Pas-de-Calais Lille, 6-7 September 2014. Braderie de Lille – the biggest and the best flea market in Europe. The Braderie de Lille, attracts around two million visitors to the city streets to enjoy music and the many events organized for the weekend. It’s a non-stop 33 hour marathon flea market session involving 10,000 sellers. The other big tradition of this awesome weekend is to eat a dish of “moules – frites” (mussels and chips) as restaurants compete to build the highest pile of empty shells! www.lilletourism.com
Jeux de la Francophonie (Nice): 7-15 September, the 7th edition of this cultural and athletic youth event will take place with sporting, traditional and creative competitions between participants representing French-speaking nations from around the globe. www.nicetourisme.com
Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi: 10-14 September, enjoy the traditional Corsican chants sung by locals which immerse visitors in the history and culture of the island. The concerts will be organised around the town of Calvi’s most beautiful edifices. www.balagne-corsica.com
Franche-Comté Besançon, 12-21 September 2014. International Music Festival – Classical music concerts take place across the whole region but the main focus is the town of Besançon. There’s a competition to find the best conductor at this hugely prestigious event:
Ambronay Festival: 13 September – 6 October, this little town will host a Baroque music festival with the theme ‘The Dream Machine’. Many ensembles of varying genres, including professional groups and youth orchestras, will interpret their dreams.
Aquitaine, Arcahon, 17-23 September 2014. Cadence d’Arcachon is held at the end of the summer, the whole town reverberates celebrates with dance shows, parades and exhibitions filling the streets.
Auvergne, Le-Puy-En-Velay, 17 – 21 September 2014: Roi de l’Oiseau Festival: Step back into the French Renaissance in the town of Puy-en-Velay, whose origins date back to the 16th century. The festival will host a variety of entertainment including craft stalls, music, taverns set up in the street, concerts, shows and – of course – the archery competition from where it got its name:
RhôneAlpes Saint-Hilaire- Du Touquet, 18-21 September 2014. Festival of Free Flight – paragliders, parachutists, kite-flyers, hang-gliders, balloonists and flight nuts get together and there are films and a fancy dress competition:
Loire Valley 18-22 September. Orleans will be teeming with the biggest European meeting of traditional river boats around 600 barges from the Loire and other rivers will fill the historical harbour of Orléans. 400 artists, 150 free events, gastronomic gatherings, shows and fireworks. It all ends with a mega boat parade on Sunday.
Poitou-Charentes Angoulême. 3rd Weekend of September. Circuit des Remparts d’Angoulême held every 3rd weekend of September since 1939. An International event with one of the largest gatherings of historic racing cars, this is primarily a meeting of enthusiasts who compete for heated races at the wheel of their Bugatti cars on the circuit route through the streets of Old Angouleme:
Please note: We check every website for dates and details personally but changes do happen from time to time – please check website for confirmation.
Read more about all the national holidays and days that are celebrated in France here.
