Events in France

For over 60 years the resort city of Cannes holds one of the most significant and glamourous film festivals in the world. Hundreds of films are shown, in every genre. Movie stars from all over the world show up to this prestigious event and the budding stars bloom after their debut at the festival.

The 2009 Tour de France will cover 3,500 kilometers and hit 21 stopovers, including 10 new stopover towns. This race first started in 1903 and is the world’s largest cycle race. The race is broken into stages from one town to another, each of which is an individual race. The time taken to complete each stage is added to a cumulative total for each rider, to decide the outright winner at the end of the Tour. There’s never been a better year to see history in the making.

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France it is called “"Fête Nationale" ("National Holiday"). This day commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. Many festivities are held all over France. The largest of which takes place on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic. This event is an amazing sight to see if you get the chance.

The annual Techno Parade turns up the volume and quickens the pace on Paris' streets. Around 20 floats carrying 150 musicians, DJs and performers from all over France turn out to dance their way along the three-mile route.

This huge event forms part of the Rendez-vous électroniques (Electronic Festival) and attracts 400,000 hardcore partygoers. Top DJs entertain the crowds with their mixing skills and decibel-defying sound systems. This is Paris's version of the famous Love Parade. If you enjoy electronic music this parade is perfect for you.

The Prix de l'Arc de Triumphe is a Group 1 flat race for three year old and above thoroughbred horses. The distance of the run is 2,400 meters (a little over 1 mile) raced on turf at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. The race was inaugurated in 1920 when it was run in celebration of the Allies' victory in World War 1. However the first race was on Sunday, April 27, 1857 in front of a massive crowd. The Emperor Napoleon III and his wife were present. This year the winner will be awarded with a purse price of €4,000,000.

Each year the people of Avignon celebrate the beginning of winter with the traditional St. Andre Fair in the streets of the town. There are many tasty local foods to sample, like Papalines liqueur chocolates or fragrant goat’s cheese. If you have some extra cash with you pick up some fresh truffles, but they might set you back a bit. You can also find all sorts of arts and crafts too, including local pottery and every kind of Provencal print imaginable.

Each year Paris is transformed into a temporary forest of Christmas trees which are displayed along its boulevards, throughout its quarters and dotted amongst its official buildings. This is organized by the Ministry of Parks; it is their job to put the French capital in a festive mood. They setup over 1000 fir trees in the capital. Some are covered in artificial snow; others are decorated with Christmas baubles and lights. It’s a truly magical effect.