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8 not-to-be-missed summer cultural events

in the French Southern Alps

From medieval rendezvous to jazz, blues and rock concerts, from painting to literature, the Southern Alps bring together local traditions and talents from the four corners of the globe to bring you a summer full of discoveries. Mark your calendars for eight not-to-be-missed events!

The Fête Médievale in Colmars-les-Alpes

Every summer the Medieval Festival in Colmars-les-Alpes celebrates local history and culture. In the heart of its squares and cobbled streets, street shows, costumed processions, concerts and even crafts workshops bear witness to the town’s past. There’s a big market with craftsmen exhibiting leather, wood, jewellery, enticing scents and flavours in the fortified town. Come and sample some traditional dishes in medieval style, and discover games and activities to have fun with your family. A real trip back to the past which will take you back to the time of knights and troubadours.

 

The Festival de Chaillol in the Hautes-Alpes

The Festival de Chaillol in the Hautes-Alpes is a summer event which originated in the project of the Espace Culturel de Chaillol, a publicly subsidized theatre. This musical event puts internationally famous classical artists and budding talents in the limelight. Every evening, the festival takes place in a different commune with an exceptional concert – chamber music, opera,  musicor symphonic. Enjoy these moving melodies in historical and cultural venues. And you can also make the most of meeting the artists, the masterclasses and workshops for your children.

 

The Festival de Musique dans la Vallée in Seyne

From music from all over the world to a homage to the most beautiful voices, come and share a warm, musical moment of emblematic songs with the artists of the Festival dans la Vallée. From jazz to classical music, from famous film scores, tango and even the French singers of the 50s and 60s, the event offers a programme in different styles each year. It’s hard not to be bowled over by these conserts!

The multidisciplinary “Terre Sauvage Festival” in the Vallée de la Clarée

The Terre Sauvage Festival is a sensitive, intelligent, warm and festive base camp which gets your body and soul moving. A place for getting together and dicussions on the subject of nature offers open-air photo exhibitions, naturalist outings and workshops to disccover photography, drawing, yoga and also an introduction to climbing in the trees. You can set off on a guided hike with Les Sentiers Sauvages, or feed your culture at the Librairie de la nature et du sauvage. Don’t miss the Tente à Palabre for conferences or the Tipi Zeppelin to discover the profession of photo-journalist. New for 2023: get an eyeful in the big Film tipi!

Summer concerts in Barcelonnette

Head for the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence for three exceptional evenings during the summer concerts in Barcelonnette. In the Parc de la Sapinière, on Place Manuel or Place Saint-Pierre, listen to music in the open air in magnificent natural settings which echo to rock, folk and electro music. Great names of the international music scene will have music-minded souls rocking in the sunset, with the backdrop of one of the most famous Mexican villas in Barcelonnette… a sensual voyage!

The Festival Game of Trees in Les Orres

The Game of Trees Festival in the Hautes-Alpes is like a lab where local actors and festival-goers get together and which aims at rising jointly and positively to the multiple challenges of global warming. Get ready for life-size 100% green experiences. Through music, art, sport, outdoor activities, and theatre, take part in an inspiring and vivifying human adventure along with committed artists from the La Brume art collective, craftsmen and local producers.

The Festival l’Écho des Mots in the Vallée du Champsaur

A blend of contemporary literature and budding authors, the Festival l’Écho des Mots offers readings, meetings and debates in a quality and varied programme for young audiences. In the Hautes-Alpes, stories of all kinds from puppets to the circus, songs and even theatre echo around. In all, around twenty troops offer open-air shows and take kids on story walks on the paths of the villages in the valley. Come and discover fun workshops right in the middle of wide-open spaces and let your creativity run wild!

La Fête de la Transhumance in the Mercantour National Park

The pastoral tradition is showcased during the Fête de la Transhumance in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée. Watch the herds of sheep led from the winter pastures in the valley to the summer pastures in the mountains. This procession is accompanied by folk dances, concerts and good local products to eat. A lovely day dedicated to mountain traditions and the ways of the past, it’s a promise of some lovely memories and an unforgettable remake of times gone by.

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