Best festivals and traditional fairs in the South this Spring!

Spring has sprung! The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region invites you to revel in the razzle and dazzle of the Cannes Film Festival, together with a host of other exciting festivals and fairs giving centre stage to fashion, photography and flowers (lots of flowers!) – not forgetting a dose of trad in Saint-Tropez and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence!

Cinema & fashion

In Cannes and Hyères

One of the world’s most famed movie meetings, the Cannes International Film Festival will be treating us to another whirlwind of glitter and glamour on May 12^th to 23rd. Against a magical backdrop of golden beaches, azure water and palaces, the crème de la crème of the international film world will be jostling to discover this year’s jury selection. Meanwhile, just prior to Cannes, fashionistas and photography fans will be queueing up for the 35th International Festival of Fashion, Photography & Fashion Accessories held at the Villa Noailles in Hyères from April 23rd to May 24th, hosted by some of the world’s top names and rewarding young fashion designers, photographers and accessory designers.

Cannes International Film Festival – May 12th to 23rd

34th International Festival of Fashion, Photography & Fashion Accessories – Villa Noailles – Hyères – April 23rd to May 24th

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Flower Power

In Grasse and Sanary-sur-Mer

The world’s perfume capital and a hub of renowned perfume creators, Grasse is celebrating roses this year from May 8^th to 10^th with the “ExpoRose” that celebrates 50 years of history by revisiting the great classics of cinema and perfumes. The town will be magicked into a giant garden adorned with 6,000 bouquets of roses and 25,000 cut roses. Various entertainment, farm produce tasting sessions, dances and streets redolent with the scent of flowers complete the sweet-smelling picture.

ExpoRose – Grasse – May 8th to 10th

Les Chorégies d’Orange

Opera and modern creations in a Roman town

It’s time for a change of scene! From June 19th to August 1st, the Roman town of Orange will once again be hosting the Chorégies d’Orange, France’s oldest opera festival founded in 1869. Held in the mythical setting of Orange’s perfectly-preserved Roman Theatre built in 1 BC, this year’s treats include « Samson et Dalila », « Ballet for life » (Queen et Béjart) ou « La Forza del Destino » (Verdi).

Chorégies d’Orange – Orange – June 19th to August 1st –

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Traditional fairs

Patron saints & sheep in Saint-Tropez and Saint-Rémy

Plunge into the fascinating history of Saint-Tropez! From May 16th to 18th, the world-famed resort will be celebrating the 461^st edition of the Bravades : 3 days of religious worship paying tribute to the town’s patron saint and glorious military past with a series of ceremonies and processions… A custom first introduced in the 16th century! Also the fruit of a time-honoured tradition, the Fête de la Transhumance in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, on Whit Monday, celebrates the traditional seasonal translocation of flocks with a procession of hundreds of ewes through the village streets, guided by their shepherds.

Bravades de Saint-Tropez – May 16th to 18th

Fête de la Transhumance – Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – June 10th