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
Musiques Métisses
Angoulême, June 10-12 2011
World music comes to Angoulême in the Charente with music from Africa, Latin America and elsewhere. This year's headline performers include reggae singer Tiken Jah Fakoly, zouk band Kassav, Nigerian musician Seun Kuti, American funk and soul jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker and singer and guitarist Boubacar Traoré as well as new and upcoming artsist. In the festival village are workshops, puppet shows and exhibitions. www.musiques-metisses.com
Les Sarabandes
Douzat, June 11 & June 24-26
This year the festival kicks off at Manoir du Bois in the Charente at Grave St Amant on June 11. Then there are performances at Douzat in the Charente on June 24, 25 and 26. On each of these days, the participating villages will be taken over by music and comedy. www.lapalene.fr
12è Rencontres d’été
La Maison du Comédien de Maria Casarès, Alloue, July 1-3
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
Nuits Romanes
Poitou-Charentes, 2 July – 27 August
Throughout the summer, the Romanesque churches, abbeys and châteaux of the Poitou-Charentes become atmospheric venues for a series of cultural events including instrumental and choral concerts, dance, theatre and even circus acts.This year’s opening performance is at Saint-Hilaire church in Melle in the Deux-Sèvres. It begins at 9pm and stars the Orchestra Ars Nova along with pupils from the National Circus School at Châtellerault. For more information: http://nuitsromanes.poitou-charentes.fr
Medieval festival, Dignac
Dignac, July 3
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
La Fête de Cognac
Cognac, July 28-30
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
Festival Cognac Blues Passion
Cognac, July 5 - 9
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 Texaz, Jamie Cullum and Morcheeba. 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 festival celebrates the music and culture of Mexico. On the nights of July 11 & 13, all the groups perform in the streets of the town. www.festivaldeconfolens.com
CHARENTE-MARITIME FESTIVALS
Fete de la Saint-Jean
Saint-Jean-d’Angely, June 17-26
With events all through the week, the main day is Friday with a local producer market, displays of archery, organised walks and jazz concerts. www.angely.net
Festival Sites en Scène
La Rochelle, June 24 – September 17
A celebration of music with concerts, many including special effects lighting or fireworks, performed throughout the summer in the region. For more information...
International Film Festival
La Rochelle, July 1 to 10.
New and classic films are screened and get the chance to meet a selection of writers and directors. This year's films include a a retrospective of Buester Keaton and 16 films made by David Lean. They are 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 39th year. www.festival-larochelle.org
Nuits Romanes
Poitou-Charentes, July 2 – August 27
Throughout the summer, the Romanesque churches, abbeys and châteaux of the Poitou-Charentes become atmospheric venues for a series of cultural events including instrumental and choral concerts, dance, theatre and even circus acts.This year’s opening performance is at Saint-Hilaire church in Melle in the Deux-Sèvres. It begins at 9pm and stars the Orchestra Ars Nova along with pupils from the National Circus School at Châtellerault. For more information: http://nuitsromanes.poitou-charentes.fr
Francofolies
La Rochelle, July 12-16
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 15 - 23
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, Brahms, Beethoven and many more. www.abbayeauxdames.org
Festival International D’art Pyrotechnique
St Palais-sur-Mer, July 13-20
Days of evening events including a beach party and street parade culminate with the grand event on the 20th – a spectacular competition between teams from India, America and Italy, after the title of best fireworks display. For more information...
Un Violon sur le Sable
Royan, July 25, 27, 29
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 5-7
As the name suggests, get ready to laugh during this festival with the vast majority - 90 percent or even 100 perecnt claim the organisers! - of the performers taking to the streets. www.humoureteausalee.net
BOOK NOW!
Tickets for the rhythm and blues festival, Jazz entre les deux tours (8 – 15 October, 2011) at La Rochelle are reduced if you book before July 31. This year's theme is Body and Soul and acts come from across the blues spectrum including John Scofield, Thierry Ollé, China Moses, Ronald Baker and Michele Hendricks. Concerts include homages to Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker and Dinah Hall… For more information: www.larochelle-jazz-festival.com
Updated for 2011
SEE FESTIVALS IN THE DEUX-SÈVRES & VIENNE