With the start of the summer season, that means that festival season in France is underway. With hundreds of festivals to choose from all over France, we’ve compiled the must-see festivals of the summer.
This four-day event which hosted over 250,000 festival-goers in 2015 is shaking up to deliver another breathtaking event in 2016. This year’s edition will feature artists like Pharrell Williams, Lana Del Rey, Major Lazer, Pixies, Michel Polnareff and many more headlining the event, Les Vieilles Charrues is another festival you shouldn’t miss out on. Tickets are being sold at €45 a day but quantities are now limited! But luckily for you, we’ve also partnered with OUIBUS to give away two pairs of tickets (4 in total) to the Les Vieilles Charrues festival. Simply enter your email below for a chance to win. View our terms and conditions.
You can also increase your odds of winning by participating in OUIBUS’ interactive contest.
How to get to Carhaix, France by bus
Our partner OUIBUS offers bus rides from Paris to Carhaix and stops directly in front of the festival’s site. The French operator has added plenty of new destinations for the summer, which includes destinations like Saint-Malo, Deauville, La Baule, Guérande, Royan, Biarritz, Perpignan, Avignon, Parc Astérix and more. Read all about their summer destinations and promotions.
One of the bigger rock festivals in France is located in Belfort, a small town in northeastern France. The three-day event takes place on July 1st, 2nd and 3rd. This year’s lineup includes artists like ZZ Top, Disclosure, Tame Impala, M83, Mr.Oizo, Nekfeu, The Kills, Mac Demarco, Caribou and many more. One day tickets go for €43,50.
More details on their website.
How to get to Belfort, France by bus
There are multiple bus operators that offer rides to Belfort during the summer. If you’re in the Alsace region, a bus ticket from Strasbourg to Belfort will roughly cost €5. A bus ticket from Lyon to Belfort costs around €15 and if you’re willing to tough out a 14 hour bus ride, FlixBus offers bus rides from Paris to Belfort during the festival’s weekend.
If you prefer some more laid-back jamaican vibes, head out to Bordeaux to check out the Reggae Sun Ska Festival, the country’s premier Reggae festival. This year will mark the 19th edition of the festival which’ll be held from August 5th to the 7th. A single day ticket costs €35 and the festival will feature artists such as Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Dub Inc and many more Reggae and Ska acts.
How to get to Bordeaux, France by bus
Since the site is conveniently located at Bordeaux Metropole’s University Campus, getting to the site is a breeze. Every major bus operator delivers trips from Paris to Bordeaux on a daily basis. The price for a bus ticket varies a lot, some operators offer tickets for as low as €5 while other tickets can go as high as €52.
This three day rock festival held in the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, which is in a western suburb of Paris is one of the last summer festivals. Held from August 26-28, this year’s edition will feature the likes of Iggy Pop, Foals, Massive Attack, Sigur Ros, Birdy Nam Nam, Anderson. Paak, Logic, Breakbot and many more. Single day tickets cost €49 while a three day pass will cost €119.
Getting to Paris, France by bus
Being the capital of France, you can catch a bus to Paris from pretty much anywhere in France. From Dijon to Paris, Marseille to Paris, Lyon to Paris and anywhere in between.
Fête de l’Humanité in Paris, held from September 9th to the 11th.
Les Francofolies in La Rochelle, held from July 13th to the 17th
Festival d’Avignon in Avignon, held from July 6th to the 24th.
*Cover photo by Richard Clyborne of Music Strive
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I look forward to having the opportunity to participate in this music festival.
On a hot and humid September afternoon in the Bois de Boulogne, the 20th edition of Les Vieilles Charrues has arrived. The music festival that is taking place in Paris every four years since 1986 is finally returning this coming September as part of the Paris Festival of Live Music, with artists like Pharrell Williams and Lana Del Rey headlining this year. This year’s edition will be held at the Chateau de Boulogne, which was used for the last three editions of Les Vieilles Charrues.