Holiday events in Cote d Azur 2013

Holiday events in Cote d Azur 2013. Here is our guide to what is on in the French Riviera this year.

The Monte Carlo Rally takes place at the end of January each year.

Also at the end of January is the annual Midem Music festival which is sponsored by the popular French radio station NRJ. It is held in the Palais des Festival in Cannes.

Another Monte Carlo rally follows on from the main event at the end of January only this time it is the Historic version.

With the coming of February much of the cote d'azur blooms with yellow Mimosa and there is a festival in Mandelieu on just that theme.

Also in February 2cv fans can enjoy the rally which is devoted to the much loved Citroen and takes place in the mountains near Grasse.

The biggest Carnival in France also takes place in mid-Febraury in Nice..

March sees the ripening of the lemons in the French Riviera and Menton is the citrus capital of the area. It has a popular lemon festival at the beginning of the month.

Poetry is the theme in Nice during March. The Poet's festival takes place in the cities theatres and cafes.

The Russians are big fans of the cote d'Azur and they have their very own festival in the spring mid March to early April at the Toursky theatre, Marseille.

The sailing season gets under way in Marseille in April with the International Mediterranean Nautical week.

The annual Shopping Festival in Cannes at the end of April is popular with fashion followers.

Saint Tropez comes alive with it's Spring Music Festival during May.

After the winter venues the Polo Masters comes to Gassin Saint Tropez in May.

In May, every Sunday there are the Cimiez festivities in Nice, each event is open to the public free of charge.

The biggest world famous event on the Mediterranean takes place in France in the middle of May, a time when the big stars flock to the Cannes Film Festival.

If you haven't been before this is the one to go to, the formula one Grad Prix in Monaco is on each year at the end of May.

Known as the European perfume capital Grasse celebrates one of the key ingredients with the Rose festival in May.

In June the Marseille festival in the sun takes place each year around the Noailles area.

The fete de la musique takes place throughout France on the 21st June in the evening. There are big events in all the cote d'Azur towns and villages, Antibes and Nice are particularly good places to enjoy this outstanding free event.

The Classics season of yachting regattas gets under way in June with Les Voiles d'Antibes.

The seafront promenade in Nice provides the perfect setting for the annual Iron man France event each June.

In the old town district of Saint Raphael the evening concerts of the Soirees Musical des Templier take place during July.

Also in July there is the annual Musique au Coeur festival in Antibes.

On the balmy summer evening the Riviera sky lights up during six evenings in July for the Festival d'Art Pyrotechnique in Cannes.

In mid July the Luan les Pins festival attracts some of the best Jazz musicians from around the world to one of the outstanding Jazz venues.

The Bastide day on the 14th of July is cause for big celebrations throughout France and the Cote d'Azur is no exception with all the major towns holding celebrations.

From the 12th July to 10th August there are a series of concerts held in the main square of Vence, known as les nuits du sud. This attracts many excellent groups.

In August the outstandingly beautiful hilltop village of Gourdon holds its theatre festival.

Also in August the Pyromelodique festival in Juan les Pins offers an annual combination of fireworks displays and music.

One of the top cultural events on the social calendar takes place in the stunning gardens of the Belle Epoque Villa Ephrussi de Roschild, you need to book early for Les Azuriales Opera on from 23rd to 30th August 2013.

The Tango Festival is also on in August in the theatres and dance halls of Nice.

Another key ingredient of the perfume industry is celebrated in Grasse during the Jasmine Festival 2nd to 4th August 2013.

With September comes the Salon Nautique de Cannes which is open to the general pubic and offers an opportunity to see the latest luxury yachts from the 10th to the 15th.

In September there is a pick up in the sea breezes and that is when the main sailing regattas get under way. The first big one is the Regates Royale - Trophee Panerai which starts in Cannes on the 21st and runs to the 29th.

Then its off to Saint Tropez for Les Voiles de Saint Tropez 29th September to 6th October.

In early December Nice hosts the annual European Petanque competition and the Christmas market is the biggest and best in the region.

Note : the majority of these main events run around the same time each year. Do ask if you would like exact dates, times and details of how to book any in the future.

For reliable self catering holiday villas in Cote d'Azur we suggest you have a look at our well located range as many of them offer an ideal base from which to attend events in the area. If you prefer a villa in Provence then we have a good range there too. Please allow us to assist you with suggestions of where to stay based on what you want to see and visit as we have in depth knowledge of travelling in the French Riviera and Provence.