SUMMER

The French holiday season begins in mid-July, with the return to work and school (la rentrée) in early September. Beaches, marinas and camp sities are all full to bursting. Every village has its fête and countless festivals and sporting events abound.

JUNE

- French Tennis Open (last week May-first week Jun), Stade Roland Garros, Paris.

- Strasbourg International Music Festival (until Jul).

- Puy-du-Fou Pageant (Jun-Sep),18th century village brought to life in the park at Les Epesses, Vendée.

- Le Mans 24 Hour Automobile Race (third weekend).

- Rose Show (21 Jun), music, bonfires and fireworks all over France.

- Tarasque Festival (last week), Tarascon.

JULY

- Aix Festival (all month), Aix-en-Provence.

- Avignon Theatre Festival (all month).

- Eté Girondin (until Aug).

- Jazz concerts throughout Aquitaine.

- Tombées de la Nuit (first week), Rennes. Arts festival.

- Troménie (11 Jul), Locronan. Procession of penitents.

- Comminges Festival (mid-Jul-end Aug).

- Foix Medieval Festival (mid-Jul-mid Aug).

- JVC Grand Parade du Jazz (mid-Jul), Nice Mont-de-Marsan Feria (third week). Bullfights and music.

- International Jazz Festival (second half), Antibes and Juan-Les-Pins Jazz Vienne (first two weeks), Vienne.

- Sète Festival (second and third weeks).

- Tour de France cycle race (third week).

- The grand finale takes place on the Champs-Elysées, Paris.

AUGUST

- Peak holiday season (1-15 Aug).

- Lourdes Pilgrimage (Palm Sun to 15 Aug).

- International Organ Festival (Jul-Sep), organ recitals in Chartres cathedral.

- Pablo Casals Festival (end Jul-mid-Aug), Prades.

- Fête de la Véraison (first or second weekend), medieval celebration of fruits harvest, Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

- Parade of Lavender Floats (first or second weekend), Digne.

- Interceltic Festival (second week), traditional Celtic arts, crafts and music, Lorient.

- "Feria"-Bullfight (mid-Aug), Dax.

- St-Jean-Pied-de-Port-Basque Fête (mid-Aug).

- Son et Lumière (sound and light) displays in historic buildings everywhere and 15 August fireworks.

- International Sardana Festival (third weekend), Céret.

France through the year