Best time to visit
69 things to do in Provence & French Riviera
Nice Jazz Festival
Save the date for the annual Nice Jazz Festival to be spoilt with the best of national and international timeless music
Sunflower Fields
Bright-yellow sunflower fields provide a beautiful contrast to the lush purple rows of lavender
Les Hivernales
A joyful and spectacular event, which those in love with dance shouldn't miss
White Water Rafting
The mix of adrenaline pumping in your blood and the terrific scenery is unforgettable
Fête du Citron (Menton Lemon Festival)
The bright, colourful, and fragrant Lemon Festival is among the most important events of the Riviera
Olive Picking
In Provence you can still experience traditional farming and take part in olive harvesting
Aïoli
You might think it's only mayonnaise but you'll discover that it's the centre piece of delicious provençal cuisine
Fête de la Saint-Jean or St. John Feast
These beautiful bonfire nights are held in every town and village of Provence
Lavender Fields in Bloom
One of the first things that come to mind when you think of Provence is a magnificent lavender field
Ratatouille
Not the Disney movie, but the mouthwatering stewed vegetable dish from Nice
Black Truffle
You'll be able to not just taste some black truffles, but also hunt them, visit the truffle fair, or try out other interesting activities offered by local farmers
Strawberry Harvest and Fête de la Fraise
Sweet festivals in beautiful old villages are a sign of spring
Alpine Via Ferrata
A system of cables and ladders that Italian soldiers used for crossing the Dolomites is now a fun playground
Foire Internationale Art et Antiquités
A great opportunity for antiquity lovers to find something special
Cycling around Mont Ventoux
Explore villages, olive groves, vineyards, and other wonders in the Mont Ventoux region
Sailing
Glamorous resorts, small old port towns, magnificent landscapes and, of course, the azure water. The French Riviera is truly a sailor's paradise!
Ironman 70.3
The home of a famous triathlon, Aix-en-Provence, annualy gathers triathletes from all over the world for a big race
Festival De Cannes
One of the world's biggest and most important events, the Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera, speaks for itself
Millévin
A joyous and epicurean celebration of the arrival of the new Côtes du Rhône vintage
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
The sea and the wind of Provence make it one of the world's best spots for kitesurfing
Fête De La Véraison
A traditional celebration of the medieval past and the wine grape harvest in Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the first weekend of August
Saffron Farms
A precious spice is made out of the beautiful and tender flowers of saffron in Provence
Mountain Biking
Provence is blessed with hundreds of kilometres of world-class mountain bike trails
Les Bravades de Fréjus
A traditional feast day in the lovely little town of Fréjus
Fromage de Chèvre or Goat Cheese
Wine and cheese are a classic, but in Provence, these words have a whole new meaning
Pétanque World Championship (Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque)
A sport in which the French are the ultimate champions
Le Défi de Monte-Cristo or the Monte Cristo Challenge
You can either repeat Edmond Dantès' feat or watch the 2-kilometer swimming race and enjoy yourself on the shore
The Long Night of Museums
A perfect opportunity to visit the great museums of Provence for free
Exploring the Calanques
This natural treasure of Provence and cousin to the Scandinavian fjords is an essential highlight of any trip to the region
Cheval Passion
This equestrian event in Avignon is an elegant and original spectacle
Floating Market
In l'Isle sur la Sorgue, you'll find a very unusual way to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, or seafood from the local farmers
Wine Grape Harvest
September is a very special time of the year which every farmer with a vineyard looks forward to
Saint Tulle's May Day in Cucuron
A creative tradition to celebrate the patron of the village of Cucuron
Fête du Costume in Arles
What could be better than lovely Arlesian women dressed in gorgeous costumes walking the streets of beautiful Arles?
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
The sun, the breeze, the Bay of Saint-Tropez and, of course, the beautiful yachts. All this creates an unforgettable spectacle
Bouillabaisse
Not only the flavour of this fish soup is special, but the method of serving it as well
L'entre-Deux Biennales Circus Festival
This contemporary circus brings true aesthetic pleasure
The Rencontres d'Arles
During this festival, you'll be able not only to admire photography but also the architecture of the festival's venues
Beach Season
Provence is famous not only for wine and lavender but also for the beautiful beaches and the bright-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea
Mimosa Route
Travel from town to town, visiting the festivities dedicated to the beautiful mimosa blossom
Pain, Amour et Chocolat
If you have a great love affair with chocolate, you have to visit Bread, Love, and Chocolate Fair in Antibes for the Valentine's Day weekend
The Gitan Pilgrimage
Watch a small sleepy seaside town of Saintes Maries de la Mer turns into a noisy and wild carnival with Gypsy dancing and music
Traditional Fishing with Nego-Chin Boats
The people in Provence are very protective of their traditions and this annual event is a good example
The Thirteen Christmas Desserts
The sweetest Provençal tradition—lei tretze dessèrts
Hiking in Gorges du Verdon
The so-called "Grand Canyon of France" is a beautiful river valley with breathtaking views
Le 14 Juillet or Bastille Day
This National Holiday is the largest and most important annual celebration in France
Monaco Grand Prix
Formula One race time is nothing but speed, glamour, passion, noise, and a hint of danger because the cars are never too far away from the barriers
Birdwatching in Camargue Natural Park
Admire thousands of pink flamingos and other migrating birds on the waters of Camargue
Chestnut Season and Fête de la Châtaigne
A little province in the South of France is the chestnut capital of the world
Fiesta des Suds
This international music festival is an essential part of Marseille's cultural identity
Centifolia Rose and Jasmine Harvest
Take a tour into the gardens of Grasse to find out just what it takes to make some of the important ingredients for your favourite fragrances in the capital of the perfume industry
Diving
Plunge into clear turquoise water and explore the unique marine life of the Blue Coast
Feria du Melon and Melon Season
Visit Cavaillon's most fragrant and sweet festival and taste some Charentais melons—a local speciality
Tour de France
The world's biggest, most challenging, and beautiful cycling event
Col d'Izoard
An iconic high mountain pass featured in the iconic Tour de France race
New Year's Eve in France
Welcome the new beginning shouting out "Bonne année!" at midnight
The Cave of Saint-Marcel d’Ardèche
One of the largest caves in France offers an exceptional show
Festival Jazz à Juan
Europe's oldest jazz festival at an iconic Mediterranean seaside location
Charlie Jazz Festival
Save the date for one one-of-a-kind jazz festival with a French charm