Festivals and Events in Avignon

Avignon. is a French city of great cultural importance. Festivals and events in Avignon. is a big cause of bringing about felicity in the society. Avignon is named as the City of the Popes or Altera Roma. Avignon retains the indelible mark of the Popes' stay in the city, which was for a while the capital of the Medieval western world. Today, it is a prestigious cultural capital with its world-renowned Theatre Festival.

Avignon Theater Festival :

Avignon's cultural scene reaches its zenith with the Avignon Theater festival which is held in France each July. It is a time for pure entertainment. The Avignon Festival, created by Jean Vilar in 1947 has become an essential summer stopover in the cultural life of France.. It is the oldest and most famous of the festivals in France. Originally it showcased pure theater but the event now includes contemporary and religious music, dance, poetry, circus, films, exhibitions and debates involving up to 600 separate organizations
Followed by the Theater Festival that takes place here Avignon is also well known for other festivals and events that keep the French and the visitors busy all round the year.

Other Festivals And Events in Avignon.

- Les Oléades takes place in Feb. It is also called as a olive tree festival with exhibitions, cooking demonstration and debatestaking place all around
- Les Hivernales d'Avignon, is a festival of contemporary dance and music that takes place in Feb-Mar.
- Fête de la Musique held in Jun is a music festival with free concerts, throughout the city
- Festival Off held in July is a three-week arts fringe festival taking place at various venues
- Festival Provençal again takes place in the eventful month of July promoting Provençal music and theatre held at various venues
- Marché du Festival occurs in July. It is a festival market
- Fête Nationale is held on14 Jul. It is a national festival celebrated with fireworks, on the banks of the Rhône and in the city centre
- Tremplin Jazz takes place in Jul-Aug
- Fête des Foins (Hay Festival) is held in the last weekend in Aug. It is the traditional festival to celebrate the end of summer with the gathering of the last bale of hay, followed by street parties, craft exhibitions and music
- Avignon Blues Festival, occurs at late Aug-early Sep, blues concerts in various venues
- Ban des Vendanges (Harvest Banns) takes place in Sep, wine and gastronomy celebration to observe the start of the harvest of the Côtes du Rhône, on the banks of the river
- Festival de Musique Ancienne, first fortnight in Oct, medieval music festival is held at various locations
- Fête des Côtes du Rhône Primeurs is held on the third Thurs of Nov, wine festival at du Palais des Papes
- Foire de la St André, late Nov-early Dec, traditional fair

The Festival and the events in Avignon is not-to-be-missed. It is a cultural happening city in France. They offer an insight into the French history, its tradition, customs and its rich culture.