Festivals, fun things to see and do in France in the sunny month of August. Get your picnic baskets out, your sunglasses to the ready and enjoy!
National Holidays in France
15 August: Assomption – Assumption of Mary
Events in France in August
Midi-Pyrenées, Marciac. One of the greatest summer jazz festivals in Europe, Jazz in Marciac is unique. It takes place in a small village in the heart of the Gers, and yet every first fortnight of August, 200,000 people come from all over the world to experience it. 20 July – 6 August, 2023. www.jazzinmarciac.com Read our review
Brittany, Crozon. A three day music and feast festival held on the Peninsula of Crozon, the Festival of the End of the World celebrates French and world music. 4-6 August, 2023. www.festivalduboutdumonde.com
Brittany, Lorient: Festival Interceltique de Lorient. Every summer, around 700,000 people from all over the world invade the Celtic land of Lorient for the Festival Interceltique. From Galicia to Scotland, the cream of Celtic music can be found here, to be enjoyed in a really convivial atmosphere. 4-15 August, 2023. festival-interceltique.bzh
Alsace, Colmar: Colmar Wine Fair. More than 350 growers, producers and professionals showcase the wines of Alsace at this popular event where you can sample 1,500 wines and enjoy music, concerts and festivities at this annual event. 28 July – 6 August, 2023. www.foire-colmar.com
Alsace, Mulhouse: Jazz Festival Mulhouse. Annual jazz festival in this lovely town. Full details of dates and tickets. 23-27 August. www.festival-meteo.fr
Corsica, Calvi: Balagne. The Feast of the Assumption followed by three days of festivities. 15 August 2023. www.visit-corsica.com
Brittany, Saint Malo. Ever since August 1993 and a concert by a group of illustrious unknown musicians from Oxford (now known as Radiohead), the Route du Rock Festival of Saint Malo has gone from strength to strength and become something of a benchmark in terms of British and American pop and rock. 16-19 August, 2023. www.laroutedurock.com
Aquitaine, Bayonne. In Saint Palais, the Force Basque Festival brings together traditional and very ancient games steeped in the strong Basque history and heritage. 150 participants take part attracting 3,000 to 4,000 spectators, holidaymakers and local fans. Date TBC. www.guide-du-paysbasque.com/en
Languedoc-Roussilon Cap D’Agde. “Brescoudos” is a legendary and unique motorbike show for Harley-Davidson owners and enthusiasts. 27 August – 3 September, 2023. www.brescoudos.com
Rhône-Alpes, Côte St André. Isere Berlioz Festival is a musical festival which pays homage to the town’s most famous son Hector Berlioz. 20 August – 3 September, 2023. www.festivalberlioz.com
Events in Paris in August
Paris. Every year from July to August, two miles of the Seine (near the Pont Neuf) is made over and becomes Paris Plage, a beach complete with white sand and sunbeds. The aim is that Parisians stuck in the city can enjoy a beach stroll or a lazy day by the water. Play petanque and volleyball for free and enjoy the free entertainment. A second “beach” by the Canal de l’Ourcq also offers the chance for relaxation and more concerts and outdoor games.
Paris. Every summer, Parisians make their way to the ultramodern Parc de la Villette in northern Paris with blankets and folding chairs to take advantage of the open-air cinema under the stars, or “cinéma en plein air“. This year the organisers are aiming to improve facilities, catering and adding a second projector to screen more films. With a program chock full of both classics and recent hits. Many of the films are shown in English, too. 19 July – 20 August, 2023. Details from lavillette.com
Paris Rock en Seine. Rock and Roll concerts held in the lovely and historic gardens at Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. 23-27 August, 2023. www.rockenseine.com/en/
Paris’ Classique au Vert takes place in the leafy Parc Floral every weekend in August and September. World-class classical musicians gather while Paris is at its quietest to serenade around tourists and Parisians in the beautiful Parc Floral de Paris. 29 June – 7 September 2023. www.parisinfo.com
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.
