Major events – Summer
July
Puy de Lumières - Le Puy-en-Velay
This event throws a magical light on Le Puy-en-Velay’s main monuments, to be discovered on a sound and light trail leading you through the city’s streets and squares. The event extends into neighbouring Brives-Charensac by the Loire. As to L’Hôtel des Lumières in central Le Puy-en-Velay, since 2020, it’s been treating visitors to light shows projected inside the exhibition rooms of the historic Hôtel-Dieu, or hospital. These shows have made Le Puy-en-Velay into the leading destination for light shows in France.
www.puydelumieres.fr
Le Tour de France
The most famous cycle race in the world draws many to our region each year. Although the route changes every time, the format stays the same, with at least several races in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
www.letour.fr
Jazz à Vienne
For over 30 years now, this jazz festival in Vienne by the Rhône has become a major draw in the jazz world, the sounds of musicians marking the evenings, with over 250 concerts on the programme. Attracting some 200,000 festival goers, this is now the leading cultural event in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
www.jazzavienne.com
L’Ardéchoise - Ardèche
The Ardéchoise is the largest cycling race in the world. There are different options according to cyclists’ different levels, whether sporting types, cycling tourists, general cyclists, young cyclists or handicapped cyclists, with options lasting from one to four days.
www.ardechoise.com
Fêtes nocturnes at the Château de Grignan
The county of Drôme produces a theatrical show across two months, with the magnificent façade of the Château de Grignan as backdrop. A very large number of visitors packs the tiers of seats to watch the year’s new theatrical creation each summer.
www.chateaux-ladrome.fr
Horizons « Arts Nature » in the Sancy - Auvergne
This contemporary art event on a grand scale sees temporary pieces of sculpture placed around the landscapes of the Massif du Sancy in summer. Every year, these pieces of contemporary art bring surprising new life to the Auvergne’s volcanoes around here and prove a delight for visitors to the area.
www.horizons-sancy.com
Europavox Festival - Clermont-Ferrand
Europavox has been putting the spotlight on contemporary European music for over ten years, with 40 bands playing, representing rock, pop, traditional song-writing, hiphop and electronic music. Major names are increasingly coming to the event, sharing the stage with bands that may
have rarely had the chance to play outside their country of origin.
www.europavoxfestivals.com
Cosmo Jazz Festival - Chamonix
The festival Cosmojazz was created in summer 2010, with the aim of sharing with aficionados of all types an extraordinary musical adventure, taking listeners on vertiginous journeys accompanied by cosmic sounds, all in a convivial atmosphere.
cosmojazzfestival.com
August
Fête du Lac d’Annecy
The first Saturday in August, Annecy’s bay transforms into the enchanting setting for Europe’s largest fireworks show. The town and lakeside are lit up magnificently in this Fête du Lac. The show lasts 1hr 10mins without a break, allowing you to appreciate the magic of the place, with
music perfectly accompanying the fireworks, plus there are further events involving the public’s participation.
www.lac-annecy.com
Festival de Musique de La Chaise-Dieu
Late summer every year, this classical music festival draws thousands of music fans up to the high plateaux of the county of Haute-Loire, come to hear internationally recognized artists playing here. The setting is a restored abbey that has retained its exceptional spiritual feel and splendid acoustics that contribute to the high-quality programme and warm atmosphere.
www.chaise-dieu.com
Festival Au Bonheur Des Mômes - Le Grand-Bornand
The sweetest festival of the summer! This European rendez-vous of shows for kids involves all the different facets of live entertainment – theatre, circuses, dance, music, puppetry… These are six magical days to enjoy with all the family.
www.aubonheurdesmomes.com
Festival International du Théâtre de rue d’Aurillac - Auvergne
This, the most famous of Auvergne’s festivals, makes it a matter of personal pride to celebrate street theatre in a worthy style. Aurillac and the local villages soak up the rhythms of the live shows. Classical and contemporary works are staged, as well as puppetry, performance, circus, dance and poetry. The range is as broad as the Festival de Rue d’Aurillac is eclectic and open.
www.aurillac.net