We’ve put together details of some of the best known, best-loved or just plain fun music events in France for 2012.
If you know of any music events that you think we should include so that other people can enjoy them too, please let us know via our Contact Form.
France Music in May 2012
Belfort International University Music Festival
26, 27 and 28 May, Franche Comté – approximately 2700 musicians, amateur choral singers, performers, orchestras and bands from around the world gather for a three day festival. The Festival is open to any French or foreign music group predominantly consisting of students or pupils of music academies and music schools, as well as to musical groups practising music as amateurs.
The Festival welcomes all musical genres: classical music, new music, jazz, rock music, music of the world, brass bands, opera etc and for more details see the official website: http://www.fimu.com
France Music in June 2012
Strasbourg Music Festival
8 – 22 June in Alsace – set in the beautiful city of Strasbourg. A three weeks long festival with performances from high calibre musicians and orchestras from all over the world playing in selected venues across the town. http://festival-strasbourg.com/
22 June – 8 July – in parks and public spaces in Paris – “Play Me I’m Your’s” 40 pianos for the public to play as artwork of Luke Jerram arrives in Paris.
Paris Jazz Festival
11 June – 31 July in Paris. Annual jazz festival presents a summer programme of free concerts in the Parc Floral, check the website for what’s on and when http://www.parisjazzfestival.fr/
Fête de la Musique
21 June, Paris and across France. For the last thirty years, on the same day each year, Paris has opened its streets, stages, hospitals and prisons to any and all musicians in a huge all-day free music fête. All concerts and events are free, and include performances by the largest and most famous institutions as well as amateurs. Held on the day of the summer solstice details can be found on the following website: www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr
Main Square Festival
29 June to July 1, Arras - the Main Square Festival takes place on Friday 29 June, Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1. This event is fairly new to the music festival scene but its popular is increasing rapidly due to the big name acts and great local talent that is booked, plus easy access to the venue, welcoming locals and a great atmosphere.
France Music in July 2012
Aix Festival
5-27 July, Aix-en-Provence. For fans of opera and classical music and beautiful venues, there is much here to thrill. This year’s performances include a new opera “Written on skin” by George Benjamin and Martin Crimp – the world premier to be at the Aix Festival. The London Symphony Orchestra will play the mosic of Stravinsky and Tchaichovsky, and there are many more performances held in stunning locations – theatres, cathedrals chateau etc. You can see all the details and book details on the festival website: www.festival-aix.com
Festival Beauregard
6-8 July, Hérouville Saint-Clair, Normandy – big name performances including the Kaiser Chiefs, Garbage, Franz Gerdinand and many more for three days of great music in (camping available on site). www.festivalbeauregard.com
Orange Festival
7-30 July Orange, France – The oldest Festival in France, it dates back to 1860. The programme for 2012 is a delight, Puccini’s Turandot and La Bohme, Mozart’s Requiem, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle and Lyric Concert performed by the National Orchestra of France. As if this was not enough, it all takes place in the Roman Theatre in Orange, the only building of its kind which still has its acoustic stage wall. For details of the performances and performer and to book tickets see the Orange Festival website: www.choregies.asso.fr
International Festival of Baroque Opera
6 – 27 July, Beaune. There are many musical events in Beaune but this is one of the most prestigious festivals of baroque music in Europe . It perpetuates the musical tradition of the Court of the Dukes of Burgundy which was considered one of the brightest and most sumptuous of the fifteenth century. http://www.ot-beaune.fr
La Fracofolies
11-15 July, La Rochelle - annual music festival attended by 150,000 people and with over 2,300 musicians and groups. http://www.ville-larochelle.fr/culture-sports-et-loisirs/evenements-culturels.html
Jazz Festival of Nice
8 – 12 July, Nice – offering a wide-ranging mix of jazz, from gospel and blues to urban funk, and from African roots to experimental sounds. Performances are staged in the arena of the gardens of Albert 1st, and the gardens next to Place Masséna ; the events which take place over the course of a week attract tens of thousands of fans. For dates and tickets see http://www.nicejazzfestival.fr/
France Music in August 2012
La Musique Cordiale
8 – 18 August, Seillans, Provence – Two weeks of great music performed by students, professionals, established names and good amateurs. There will be evening & lunch-time concerts, chamber music, orchestral performances and jazz in the first week, with the Ensemble Cordial Choir joining the orchestra in week two for the Mozart Mass in C minor and the Poulenc Gloria. performed outdoors in Seillans’s town square and various nearby venues. Some of the concerts are free and to book tickets for those which are not see the website: www.musique-cordiale.com
France Music in September 2012
Montlouis Jazz Festival
13-23 September Montlouis, Burgundy – Annual event at which around 250 jazz and blues musicians join together for a packed musical programme. http://www.jazzentouraine.com/
Les Nuits de Nacre Accordion Music festival
Tulle, Limousin – “Mother of Pearl Nights” – Accordion music festival with lots of sing-along action and jollity. http://www.accordeon.org
