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Whats On
Throughout the year, there are music and dance festivals, firework displays, fayres, fetes, wine fairs, markets and brocantes to keep you amused, listed below are a selection of large annual events which should not be missed!
To see the entire programme for the year - have a look at the Local Area page on this website, and click on the links to the tourist offices to see everything this beautiful region has to offer
2023
Bande dessinee d'Angouleme: 30 January- 2 February Talks, shows, films & exhibitons relating to comic striip art. www.bdangouleme.com
La Fete du Mimosa: St Trojan les Bains. il d'Oleronne: 14 - 16 February. A weekend celebrating the arrival of spring and the Mimosa. Parade,with music,decorated floats and tourist train. www.lafetedumimosa.com
National Open Garden Days: June. Regional garden festival with many public and private gardens open for visitors
National day dedicated to live music: 21st June. All performances are free and typically take place in the open air - streets, squares, parks and national monuments
Bordeaux Fete du Vin 22 - 25 June Set beside the quayside a 4 day extravaganza of wine workshops, wine tastings, music and firework displays, organised every 2 years, you will need to wait until 2016 for the next extravaganza www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com
Blues Passions: 4 - 9 July. International music festival which takes over the town of Cognac for a week. There are numerous music venues with ticketed performances by big names, but in addition most of the squares, restaurants and bars turn themselves over to free live music performances. Over the years we have enjoyed performances from Status Quo, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Sting, Imelda May, Lily Allen, Robert Plant, Lenny Kravitz Marianne Faithful, The Cranberries, Michell Polnaroff, Iggy Pop, James Blunt and Roger Hodgeson from Supertramp and Toto.
In 2023 the headline act will be Chris Isaak. Click on the link for details of the full programme and view individual music videaos forthe artists who will be performing
Festival des Saintes July Classical concerts performed in and around the atmospheric Abbaye aux Dames, peformed by soloists and ensembles from around Europe
La Roch a Foucauld July This costumed fete includes axe throwing, craft workshops, medievel field forge and hog roast. Five troupes of performers present a medieval procession in the town centre www.larochefoucauld.fr
Bastille Day: 14 July. The french National Holiday - most towns organise celebrations. The best in the area is the firework display alongside the river Charente in Jarnac, following which, there is dancing in the town centre
Bourg Charente 14 - 16 July Over 100 local volunteers take art in this 2hr long "son et lumiere" that takes place just after sunset and charts the history of Cognac through it's history to the present day
Violons sur le Sable: 22, 25 & 28 July. Hugely popular classical concerts set on the beach at Royan. Borrow our seats/rugs and a picnic and enjoy fantastic performances, the evening ends with a firework finale choreographed to the music. www.violonsurlesable.com
La Croix Montamette Fun Fair 24 -27 July culminates in fantastic firework display on the last evening
Fete du Cognac: 27- 29 July: 4 nights of live music held on the quayside in Cognac. You can dine under the stars on locally produced food and drink whilst listening to big stage concers. www.lafeteducognac.fr
Coupe d'Europe de Montgolfieres 4-7 August Aerial demonstrations, spectacles, 60 hot air balloons will participate in the European Competition at Mainfonds. In addition on Sunday 7 August an air show inlcuding the Patrouille will take place www.mainfonds.com
Festival International d'art pyrotechnique July. St Palais sur Mer is the place to be to watch the annual international festival of pyrotechnics, with competitors from all over the world. This event attracts crowds of up to 40,000.
Abbaye Fontdouce: 10-11 August Classical recitals, Jazz and swing performances set in the cloisters and gardens of this beautiful old abbey. You can buy a picnic on site. www.fontdouce.com
Confolens Dance Festival: 9 - 15 August . A street fesitival bringing together dancers and musicians from around the globe offering a scheduled series of shows and parades. www.festivaldeconfolens.com
Art & Passion du Bois : August: Held every 2 years, this festival promotes and supports the creativity and skills of specialised woodworkers and woodturners, Watch artistans work with wood and browse the many stalls and exhibitions. www.art-bois-breville.com
Pyrosymphonique: August. Fireworks set to music, as a local fairytale is recounted. Fireworks are launched from the beach and barges moored at sea to make this a spectacular event www.royan-tourisme.com
Festi classique 27 August - 22 September Each year international artists present a series of classical concerts held in the great Cognac Houses of the area. Click on the link and switch your speakers on to hear what is on offer www.festi-classique.com
Coupe de Chauffe: 1st weekend September A street arts festival that takes over the streets and main park in Cognac, the first weekend in September. Everything from puppets, stilt walkers, comedians, magicians, dance and circus performers.
Le Grand Pavois 27 September - 2 October : La Rochelle Boat Show: Porte Plaissance de Minimes, The 5th largest boat show on water, in the world, brings together manufacturers and salesmen from around the world. Demonstrations, events and fireworks add to the atmosphere throughout the week. www.grand-pavois.com
Piano en Valois October www.piano-en-valois.fr
Cognac Marathon: November. Increasing in popularity every year, our local marathon offers competitive, fun and family runs over a variety of distances. The event also offers a food village, muscia and a country walk on the Sunday. www.marathonducognac.net
Les Gastronomades, Angouleme: November . Everything for the foodie. Set in various locations across the town, there are exhibitions, demonstrations, the sale of local produce, cooking contests and courses. www.gastronomades.fr
Bordeaux Christmas Market: December. Starting the last Saturday in November, every week until Christmas. Visit the log cabin stalls, selling crafts, specialist food & wine and other goodies. Admire the fantastic christmas lights, and explore the beautiful shops www.bordeaux-tourisme.com