Holiday events for France 2012 get under way shortly as we start a new social season. Here is our resume of the social calendar, from Deauville to Monte Carlo, for France 2012.
The Monte Carlo rally starts soon on 17th January to the 22nd in and around Monaco in the south of France. Properly referred to as the Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo this is the opening round of the International Rally Challenge.
Followed soon after by the Historic Monte-Carlo Rally starting 28th January and ending 4th February. This is the top winter historic road rally.
Rugby, France versus Italy at the Stade de France, Saint Denis, Paris on February 4th.
More rugby, France versus Ireland on 11th February, also at the Stade de France, Paris.
Rugby again, France versus England on 11th March, the Stade de France, Paris is the venue.
The beautiful chateau of Chaumont-sur-Loire hosts the Chaumont contemporary garden design festival in the grounds from April until October.
The Cannes Film Festival sets out to present the fabled Palm d’Or for outstanding cinema film 16th to 27nd May. A very exclusive event indeed held in Le Palais des festivals on the seafront, our correspondent will be reporting from inside as usual.
La Nuit des Musees takes place on the 19 May and allows you to visit France's museums free by night.
The French Open tennis tournament takes place in Paris, starting on the 27th May and running through until June 10th.
Monaco Formula One Grand Prix speeds around the streets of Monte Carlo, France between 24th and 27th May.
The Prix du Jockey club is held at the beautiful Chantilly Racecourse in Oise, just north of Paris on June 3th.
The legendary 24 hour Le Mans race takes place on June 16th and 17th in Sarte.
Calvi Jazz festival entertains locals and visitors alike in the beautiful port of Calvi in the north of Corsica in the third week of June 2011.
La Fete de la Musique takes place throughout France on the summer solstice, June 21st.
Opera lovers can enjoy balmy evenings of open air opera between the 3rd and 23rd July at the Festival d’Aix en Provence in the south of France.
The legendary cycle road race the Tour de France takes place from June 30, starting with the grand depart in the province of Liege, ending in Paris on the Champs-Elysees.
Bastille day is celebrated throughout France on July 14th, Paris is the place to be.
Nice Jazz Festival is held amidst the roman remains and olive groves of the Arenes de Cimiez in Nice 6th to 10th July.
The world famous La Touques racecourse in Deauville-La Touques, Normandy holds its race meetings, which include four Group 1 classics, between 5th and 26th August 2012.
Between the 17th and 19th August the spectacular resort of Cap Ferrat on the Cote d’Azur is the venue for the Les Azuriales Opera which performs in the beautiful grounds of the romantic Belle Epoque Villa Ephrussi de Rischild.
Towards the end of September the regattas take off with the big ones, the Regates Royale de Cannes which includes majestic old boats followed directly by Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez where you can witness the cream of the world’s big sailing boats in all their splendor.
Paris and the Longchamps racecourse hosts the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
View the wide range of villas in France available for rental, through Villas Worldwide, located near many of the main events on the French social calendar. Or see our wide choice of holiday villas around the world.