Reason 1: Large-scale events
The French Riviera is known internationally for large-scale events, and in particular February, May and July are ‘festival’ months here.
Some of the major large-scale events with international television and print media coverage include:
Cannes Film Festival https://accessriviera.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/sightseeing-cannes-film-festival-on-a-budget-14-25-may-2014/
Monaco Grand Prix https://accessriviera.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/activities-monaco-monaco-grand-prix-22may-25may-2014/
Jazz à Juan (Juan les Pins Jazz Festival) https://accessriviera.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/mojitos-music-at-the-juan-les-pins-jazz-festival/
Other main events on the French Riviera include:
- Nice Carnival
- Nice Jazz Festival
- Mimosa Festival (Fête du Mimosa)
- Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron)
- Monte-Carlo Circus Festival
- Antibes/Cannes/Monaco Yacht shows
- Pantiero festival
- Events at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes such as MIPEM, ILTM, Cannes Lions.
Reason 2: Small local events and festivals
Whether you are interested in art, history, music or sports there are plenty of free local events and festivals throughout the year.
One of our favourites is Biot and the Templars (Biot et Les Templiers), a medieval weekend with jousting displays and traditional workshops. https://accessriviera.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/sightseeing-biot-biot-les-templiers/
There are also many fireworks displays, also known as Festival Pyromélodique, on the French Riviera in summer months, including https://accessriviera.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/fireworks-in-juan-les-pins-and-antibes-2014/
The French Riviera has many cultural festivals celebrating their traditions including:
- Bataille des Fleurs parades (Battle of the Flowers)
- Fête Napoleon (re-enactment of Napoleon’s landing at Golfe Juan)
- Fête de la Saint-Pierre (a festival to honour the patron saint of fishermen and the sea)
- Fête de la Châtaigne (a festival celebrating chestnuts including tastings of delicious roasted chestnuts)
- Journées du Patrimoine (held in September 2014, free entrance to museums and other cultural/historical sites. For the French Riviera region, click on this link to see where to go) http://www.journees-du-patrimoine-2014.com/DEPARTEMENT/journees-patrimoine-06-alpes-maritimes.htm
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