Summer festivals in the Charente & Charente-Maritime
Many towns and villages all over the region get out their festive finery during the summer. These are some of the biggest events - but it's worth checking with your local tourist office as to what smaller events are happening in your local area. And also check out our regularly updated What's On guide.
CHARENTE FESTIVALS
Les Sarabandes
Saint Genis D’Hiersac, June 19 in Lignières Sonneville , June 26 in Vaux Rouillac, July 14 in Marcillac Lanville & October 2 in Rouillac. On each of these days, the participating villages will be taken over by music and comedy. www.lapalene.fr
11èmes Rencontres d’été
La Maison du Comédien de Maria Casarès, Alloue, July 1-4
When actress Maria Casarès died she bequeathed the lovely house to the village and today it is the home of cultural performances including this summer festival which includes choral concerts, recitals and theatre. http://lamaisonducomedien.fr
Medieval festival, Dignac
Dignac, July 4
If you fancying charging back to medieval times, then this is the festival for you. Head back in time with musicians on medieval instruments, jousting tournaments, games, arts and crafts, medieval battle camps plus winged horses, unicorns, monsters, fairies and elves! www.fete-medievale.cad-dignac.info
Les nuits d’été de Villebois
Villebois-Lavalette, July 6 - 10
Each year the performance group Compagnie de l’arène perform in the chateau of this south Charente town. On July 6 & 9 they are performing Don Quixote. On July 8 & 10, Les Amis de Monsieur www.compagnie-arene.com
La Fête de Cognac
Cognac, July 8-11
Organised by local Cognac producers, this festival down at the old quay celebrates the famous drink of the region as well as the aperitif of pineau. Down it straight or specially made cocktails and shooters and tuck into local delicacies. Evening tickets cost €5. A pass for all the festival costs €15. www.lafeteducognac.fr
Verteuil en Musique Festival of rock and jazz
Château de Verteuil, July 17 & 18.
Privately owned, the fabulous and imposing château, dominating the town and overlooking the Charente River, isn’t usually open to the public, but for this weekend, you can listen and stroll. Headliners will be Dr Feelgood (remember them?), Robert Johnson, Angie Palmer and the fabled drummer from the Feelgoods, The Big Figure, who now lives nearby and fronts The Big Figure Band. Entry €22 a day or €40 the weekend, but reservations before July 1 are reduced to €20/36. www.verteuilenmusique.com
Festival Cognac Blues Passion
Cognac, July 27 - August 1
A huge festival not just in the region but in France, it attracts acts from all over the world, filling the streets and parks with music. Many of the acts are free so all you have to do is find a comfy spot on the grass, lie back and enjoy! This year’s headline acts include Seal, Gil Scott Heron and Barbara Hendricks. www.bluespassions.com
Festival de Confolens
Confolens, August 9-15
An annual festival that sees folk dancers from all over the world converge on this picturesque town for a series of performances in a theatre and in the street. This year’s performers come from 16 countries and spanning five continents including Brazil, Hungary, Turkey, USA and of course, France. On the nights of July 11 & 13, all the groups perform in the streets of the town. www.festivaldeconfolens.org
CHARENTE-MARITIME FESTIVALS
Festival Sites en Scène
La Rochelle, June 25 – September 18
A celebration of music with 47 concerts performed throughout the summer. www.charente-maritime.org
International Film Festival
La Rochelle, July 2 to 11.
New and classic films are screened and get the chance to meet a selection of writers and directors. This year's films include a homage to Greta Garbo, retrospectives of the films of Eric Rohmer and Elia Kazan, an overview of Bollywood, Peter Weir’s film Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe and screened on the quai – not quite as glamorous as Cannes, perhaps, but cinema buffs need to be in this superb, historic port city for this excellent festival, now in its 38th year. Prices range from €85 for a passport down to as little as €2.50 for a single. www.festival-larochelle.org
Le Fil en Fête
Saint-Jean-d’Angely, July 2, 3 and 4
A festival of embroidery and patchwork that's in its second year. Something out of the ordinary, it featuresexhibits of and courses in all things stringy, woolly and patchy. Traditional embroidery, knitting and patchwork are of course represented, but the modern, brash stream is right there – how about a semi-naked plumply-3D embroidered Marilyn Monroe hanging for your bedroom? Free entry. www.angely.net
Francofolies
La Rochelle, July 13-17
This popular music festival in the Charente-Maritime is known throughout France with a series of concerts, some of them free, in a number of venues throughout the town. www.francofolies.fr
Festival des Saintes
Saintes, July 9-18
A series of classical concerts, both choral and orchestral, performed in the town’s beautiful churches including the Abbaye aux Dames and cathedral. This year see pieces composed by Mozart, Rossini, Scarlatti and many more. www.abbayeauxdames.org
Festival International D’art Pyrotechnique
St Palais-sur-Mer, July 14-21
Days of evening events including a beach party and street parade culminate with the grand event on the 21st – a spectacular competition between teams from Russia, Brazil and Morocco, after the title of best fireworks display. http://www.stpalaissurmer.fr
World Marble Championships
Charente Maritime, July 17- August 3
Fancy spinning a few glass balls? Then take yourself off to the World Marble Championships where aficianados of all ages will do battle to see who gets into and then wins the grand final. The venues change from day to day and include Jonzac, Le Château d'Oléron and Bourcefranc le Chapus. www.worldmarbles.com
Un Violon sur le Sable
Royan, July 26, 28, 30
The name of the festival harks back to its origins when it was just one violin playing on the sands. Today you can enjoy a full orchestra (from Paris and other grand orchestras) playing under the stars on the beach which is transformed into a concert hall that holds up to 40,000 people. www.violonsurlesable.com
Festival Humour et eau Salée
St Georges-de-Didonne, August 5-8
As the name suggests, get ready to laugh during this festival with the vast majority - 90 percent - of the perfomrers taking to the streets. Performers include the ever popular Marc Jolivet and Marianne Sergeant. www.humoureteausalee.net
Updated for 2010
SEE FESTIVALS IN THE DEUX-SÈVRES & VIENNE