Ah, Summer in France! While this season inevitably conjures images of sunny beaches and outdoor picnics, it also means music festivals. Picture yourself for a moment, swept up by the enthusiastic crowd, the air pulsing to the rhythm of guitars, drums, and captivating vocals. This is the experience hundreds of thousands of festival-goers aspire to each year, coming to savor an ever-richer and more eclectic lineup.
A Symphony of Genres for Every Taste
In France, the musical spectrum of festivals is as broad as the country itself. Whether you’re a rock aficionado, a devotee of classical music, or an explorer of new electro trends, the French summer scene welcomes you with open arms. From timeless melodies to avant-garde creations, there’s something to satisfy all generations and musical appetites.
Breathtaking Natural and Urban Settings
But that’s not all! Music festivals in France are set against backdrops so beautiful they’ll take your breath away. Whether in picturesque villages, historical cities, or expansive natural settings, these venues add a visual and emotional dimension to the musical experience.
More Than Just a Concert, A Memorable Adventure
Far from being mere outdoor concerts, summer festivals are microcosms of energy, joy, and sharing. They embody the best of what summer has to offer: an enchanted break where music becomes the universal language of friendliness and discovery..
Must-See Events of the Season
In the following lines, we offer you an overview of the music festivals you absolutely should not miss this summer. Get ready, the musical adventure of your life awaits you!
Eurockéennes de Belfort
The Eurockéennes de Belfort is a rock, pop, and electro music festival held annually in Belfort, in the Franche-Comté region. The festival was founded in 1993 and attracts around 120,000 festival-goers each year. The Eurockéennes is one of the largest music festivals in France and has hosted renowned artists such as Radiohead, Coldplay, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and more.
For all details on the lineup, tickets, and unique experiences offered, we recommend visiting the official website of the Eurockéennes de Belfort.
Les Vieilles Charrues
The Vieilles Charrues is a rock, pop, and electro music festival held annually in Carhaix-Plouguer, in the Finistère region. Founded in 1989, the festival welcomes around 200,000 festival-goers each year. The Vieilles Charrues is one of the largest music festivals in France and has hosted renowned artists such as The Cure, Daft Punk, Stromae, and more. For more information on the artists, schedules, and everything about the festival, head over to the official website of Les Vieilles Charrues.
Hellfest
The Hellfest is a metal music festival that takes place annually in Clisson, in the Loire-Atlantique region. Established in 2006, it attracts around 180,000 fans each year. Hellfest is one of the world’s largest metal music festivals, featuring big names like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, and more. For the most current information and full immersion, a visit to the official Hellfest website is highly recommended.
Rock en Seine
Rock en Seine is a rock, pop, and electro music festival that occurs yearly in Saint-Cloud, Île-de-France. Founded in 2003, the festival receives approximately 150,000 attendees each year. It’s one of France’s major music festivals and has seen performances by artists such as The Killers, Coldplay, and Rihanna. For comprehensive information on the lineup, ticket purchasing, and more, check out the official website of Rock en Seine.
Les Francofolies de La Rochelle
Les Francofolies de La Rochelle is a francophone music festival held annually in La Rochelle, in the Charente-Maritime department. Founded in 1985, the festival hosts about 200,000 festival-goers each year. The Francofolies is one of the world’s largest Francophone music festivals and has featured renowned artists like Johnny Hallyday, Michel Sardou, and Stromae. Detailed information about the artists, tickets, and the overall festival experience can be found on the official website of Les Francofolies de La Rochelle.
Lollapalooza Paris
Lollapalooza Paris is a rock, pop, electro, and hip-hop festival held annually at the Hippodrome de Longchamp, in Paris. Created in 2017, the festival welcomes around 100,000 people each year. Lollapalooza Paris has hosted big-name artists such as Metallica, The Weeknd, and Imagine Dragons. All information regarding the lineup, tickets, and side events can be found on the official Lollapalooza Paris website.
Solidays
Solidays is a rock, pop, electro, and hip-hop music festival held annually at the Hippodrome de Longchamp, in Paris. Created in 1999, the festival is organized by the Solidarité Sida association. Solidays is a charitable festival, with part of its profits going towards AIDS research and advocacy. For all information regarding the lineup, tickets, and charitable actions related to the event, check out the official Solidays website.
Les Déferlantes
Les Déferlantes is a rock, pop, and electro music festival held annually in Argelès-sur-Mer, in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Established in 2006, the festival welcomes about 150,000 attendees each year. Les Déferlantes is among France’s largest music festivals. For detailed information on the lineup, ticket options, and other festival aspects, you can visit the official Les Déferlantes website.
Le Printemps de Bourges
Le Printemps de Bourges is a contemporary music festival that takes place annually in Bourges, in the Cher department. Created in 1977, the festival receives around 150,000 festival-goers each year. It’s one of France’s oldest contemporary music festivals and has hosted renowned artists like Björk, Radiohead, and Daft Punk. Complete lineup details, ticket purchasing options, and more information are available on the official website of Le Printemps de Bourges.
Le VYV Festival
The VYV Festival is an electronic music festival that occurs yearly in Dijon, in the Côte-d’Or department. Founded in 2019, the festival welcomes about 50,000 attendees each year. Although a recent addition to the festival scene, the VYV Festival has quickly gained significant popularity. For details on the lineup, ticket options, and more, visit the official VYV Festival website.
Main Square Festival
The Main Square Festival is a rock, pop, and electro music festival held annually in Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais. Established in 2004, the festival receives approximately 120,000 festival-goers each year. The festival takes place in an exceptional setting, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Citadel of Arras. For all information on the artists, ticket purchasing, and on-site activities, head over to the official Main Square Festival website.
Festival de Nîmes
The Festival de Nîmes is a classical, pop, and rock music festival that takes place annually in Nîmes, in the Gard department. Established in 1989, the festival welcomes around 100,000 attendees each year. The Festival de Nîmes is a prestigious event held in a unique setting, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Arena of Nîmes. For complete information on the lineup, tickets, and unique experiences offered by the festival, you can visit the official Festival de Nîmes website.
Other Festivals
here are many other must-see music festivals in France, such as:
- The Nuits de Fourvière in Lyon
- The Flâneries Musicales de Reims
- The Avignon Festival
- The Vieilles Charrues in Carhaix-Plouguer
- The Interceltic Festival of Lorient
- The Jazz Festival of Antibes Juan-les-Pins
- The Aix-en-Provence Festival
- The Chorégies d’Orange
Practical Tips
Best methods to buy tickets in advance:Conseils pratiques
- Buy Directly from the Official Website: This is the safest way to avoid counterfeits.
- Subscribe to Newsletters: Some festivals offer discounts to subscribers or allow priority access to ticket sales.
- Use Pre-sales: Some festivals offer a pre-sale period, often reserved for members or those who have attended previous editions.
- Be Part of a Group: Group rates are often offered, so take advantage if you are many.
- Go Through Authorized Resellers: If the official site is out of stock, resellers like Ticketmaster or See Tickets are reliable options.
Tips for a Successful Festival: Accommodation, Equipment, and Transport
Accommodation
- On-site Camping: Most festivals offer a camping area, often the most economical option.
- Nearby Hotels: Book well in advance to get the best deals.
- Collaborative Lodging: Platforms like Airbnb can be a good alternative.
Equipment
- Camping Essentials: If you’re camping, think about the tent, sleeping bag, and stove.
- Appropriate Clothing: Check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
- External Battery: Keep your devices charged to capture all the great moments.
Transport
- Public Transport: Many festivals are well-served by public transport.
- Carpooling: Economical and eco-friendly, this is often a good option.
- Bicycle: Some festivals offer bike parking areas, a healthy and eco-friendly option.
