Auvergne Festivals – 12 Wonderful Festivals In Auvergne
Auvergne is famous for its Romanesque churches and architecture as well as its delectable cuisines, cheeses, fine tasting and sparkling wines. Apart from its interesting historical remains, Auvergne is also popular for its winter sports resorts and mountain spas that have attracted a great volume of tourists from all over the globe.
There are lots of magnificent festivals that suit every fine taste held across the region of Auvergne which are surged by lots of tourists. From short film festivals to art, history and music festivals, Auvergne has definitely lots to offer all year round. Make your holiday in France a worthwhile and remarkable experience by bringing your presence to the colourful and stunning festivals in Auvergne.
1. Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 1st to 9th February 2013
This festival is highly regarded in the world of short films., and 2013 is the 35th year it is running. It incorporates a marketplace where collectors can pick up rarities and find short films that straddle all the genre types.
This famous festival attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. It is a perfect venue to watch short films but also enjoy delving into the shorts of previous years, on one of the thirty five video terminals.
It is a big networking scene for those involved in the industry, and it is packed full of stalls, events and a large exhibition.
2. Limoges Carnival, Esplanade Champ-du-Juillet, 3rd March 2013
Carnivals are wonderful and this one in particular has quite a reputation and attracts International performers, so you may see Brazilian dancers and musicians and other fun and talented International acts. The Limoges Carnival has been running since 1989 on the first Sunday of March.
It is organised along a route of 3 kilometres, and the procession is expected to attract around 75,000 people. It culminates in the drowning of the Carnival King.
Around 1200 people are involved in providing the entertainment, with on average 10 top bands who are invited from other areas of France as well as other parts of Europe.
3. Videoformes, Clermont-Ferrand, 20th to 23rd March 2013
Celebrate video, International art video and many cultural and digital feasts at the Videoformes Festival in Clermont Ferrand. This has been running in springtime every year since 1986. You can join debates, conferences and discuss projects and ideas. There are also compeitions running for children. For those involved, it is a meeting of minds and brainstorming platform.
The festivals runs as above, however the exhibition runs from 21st March until 7th April.
4. Festival Des Buveurs D’Eau, Vic Sur Cere, 20th to 21st April 2013
This is a water festival which aims to educate people on an eco-lifestyle on one hand, but whilst having lots of fun on the other hand. It dates back to 1896 although it wasn’t active for a long time until 2011 when it was revived.
Families can enjoy water fun, picnics, artisans work, family workshops and animations.
5. Festival International Cinema et Costume Moulins – International Cinema and Costume Festival, June 2013, awaiting dates
A wonderful celebration of the importance of costume in film, covering both period and contemporary films. Costume is so central to film as we assess the characters on screen quickly and costume is an essential medium to communicate messages to us, the viewers.
Held in Allier, Moulins, this stunning festival takes place in June each year and screens around 20 films which were carefully picked for the beauty and exquisiteness of the costumes.
6. Les Europennes du Goucirct, Aurillac, early July (6, 7 & 8th in 2012)
This is perhaps one of the most popular and well attended festivals in this region of France. It is a 3-day cultural and gastronomic festival which is celebrated through a combination of live music, tasting, workshops, round table discussions, demonstrations and entertainment. This festival, which takes in Aurillac (Cantal) in July every year, features around 100 exhibitors.
In 2012 it especially celebrated beef, and in 2011 pork. There are short courses during the festival and bountiful local produces such as cheese, wines, spices, baked goods, as well as local products of other European participants.
7. Festival Country Rendez-Vous, Craponne-sur-Arzon, 26th to 28th July 2013
If you love country music, then this is the place for you this July. It features some top performers from Nashville and Austin United States, and for country music fans, you can enjoy a great diversity of music and performers, which will be played in a natural amphitheatre. Watch out for new talent as well!
8. Festival Musique Sur un Plateau, Brivadois, late July (22nd to 29th July 2012)
This is the festival for art history and music lovers. Every July, the Brivadois region, which is next to la Brioude is highlighted by a series of outstanding classical performances and concerts.
The festival promotes the history of the area, classical music and art, and the connection between them.
9. Festival du Monastier, La Vicairie, early August (3rd to 11th August 2012)
2013 is the 25th edition of this brass music festival. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music that surprisingly enough uses brass instruments! From jazz to baroque, from world music to traditional French songs.
10. Fecirctes Renaissance – Roi de l’Oiseau, 3rd weekend September (12th to 16th September 2012)
This is a colourful Renaissance festival which is held at Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire) every September, on the third weekend. The event is highlighted by the impressive re-enactment of the archery competition which took place sometime in the 16th century.
Running since 1986, this is cultural event marrying fun, beauty and expression. Join the crowd as the town celebrates the festival through demonstrations, shows and concerts for five days.
11. Francophonies in Limousin, 11 Avenue du Geacuteneral-de-Gaulle, 25th Sept.-5th Oct. 2013
Check out the creme-de-la-creme of International French theatre. The term Francophonie encompasses worldwide French speaking cultures.
Running since 1984, this festival marks its 30th birthday in 2013. The 2012 festival had an attendance of over 15,500, with a wealth of performances, debates, meetings and exhibitions.
12. Fecircte de la Chataigne (Chestnut Festival), Mourjou, October
Mourjou (Cantal) is a village with a huge population of 360 at last count, but every year in October it lets 20,000 or so visitors enjoy the Chestnut Festival. Participate in eating and drinking copious amounts of chestnuts and cider. In fact the norm is that there is 5000 litres of cider and 2 tons of chestnuts.
This fair began in 1990 when some of the younger inhabitants decided that it was time to revive the chestnut, which had experienced quite a decline since the modernisation of agriculture.
Enjoy lots of fun, other local delicacies, story telling, street music, technical demonstrations, games for the children, wine tasting and lots more.