France

Monaco is almost synonymous with the Formula One, and the Monaco Grand Prix is considered so prestigious that winning at Monte Carlo, as it is fondly called, is worth two wins at any other Grand Prix. Established in 1929, it is the stand-out race of the Formula One that is part of the famous Triple Crown of Motorsport, which includes the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Although it’s referred to the “Monte Carlo,” the Circuit de Monaco lies on the city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, including the harbour, and is currently the only race in the Formula 1 Championship to be held on a street circuit at the very heart of town. It is also one of the very few remaining circuits to be the same location of the original first race in 1929.

Quite exciting, the circuit is also touted to fail the new safety requirements of the Formula 1 championship series, and is lucky to have been already a circuit regular when the new regulations for new circuits were established. Two drivers have already crashed into the harbour. The circuit is known for its exhilarating tunnel section, and two important corners – a very fast corner in the tunnel, and the slowest curve in the series, also known as the Grand Hotel hairpin. The very narrow course, which frustrates many drivers wishing to overtake their opponents, has limited qualifiers to this race, accepting only 18 participants when other Grands Prix would have 23 or 24, adding even more prestige to the competition.

The street circuit is set up beginning six weeks before the annual race, usually held in May, and disbanded for three weeks after the winners take home their trophies. Over the many years of the Monaco Grand Prix, there are several drivers who emerge triumphant more than once. Graham Hill is the first and for the longest time the only one to complete the Triple Crown, winning Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He is actually called “Mr. Monaco,” for winning the Monaco Grand Prix a total of 5 times. Michael Schumacher matches his 5-time win, but neither holds the record for most wins at the Monaco Grand Prix, an honor owned by Ayrton Senna, for six wins. Other multiple winners include Alain Prost, Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart and Fernando Alonso. Alonso’s second win was at the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix.

You can reach Monaco from the Nice International Airport in France, and take a 40-minute train into Monaco, where everything is easier to get to on foot, as driving – and parking – near the circuit is next to impossible on the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Do try to get to the circuit as early as you can as practice in Monaco starts earlier than in any other Grand Prix. Many tourists stay in Paris instead of Monaco because hotels are staggeringly expensive, and the rates escalate as you get closer to the venue.

However, if you can afford it, or you think you’re worth the splurge, do go and enjoy the luxuries Monaco has to offer. You may even bump into one of the many celebrities who regularly attend the Monaco Grand Prix en route to the swimming pool. Or stay by the coast, and enjoy the beach when you’re not at the race. If this is the case, you should make your reservations early. Hotels in Monaco are often booked even months in advance.

As if to mirror the personality of the city itself, there are no general admission tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix. This is of course because of the tightness of the track, but it also means that most of the only available grandstand seats will give a very good view of the action. Monaco Grand Prix tickets are priced according to the view around the track, so rest assured that if you paid a pretty penny, you’re in for a very good time.

France is where Grand Prix racing was born, with the French Grand Prix being the oldest international competition in the series. The first French Grand Prix was held in 1906, then participated in the first World Championships in 1925, with the Italian and Belgian Grands Prix and the Indianapolis 500, and of course was part of the first Formula One championship in 1950.

The French Grand Prix is held on the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, so named because it is found near the towns of Nevers and Magny-Cours. Puzzling though that such a grand event is held in rural France, and the circuit has indeed been criticized for its remote location, but many racing enthusiasts actually enjoy tranquil Magny-Cours, especially after the glitz of Monaco and Montreal.

The circuit was first built in 1960 and expanded later in the decade, reopening in 1970 to become the main training ground of many French racing giants. The track was expanded further when the Formula 1 moved to Magny-Cours, changing the corners and lengthening the track from 3.84 km to 4.26 km. Now a modern circuit with smooth surfaces and hardly any elevations, the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours also has some of the best seats in the Formula 1, as fans are able to see more than one corner wherever their French Grand Prix tickets place them.

The circuit, nicknamed Magny-Cours, is rather compact, making overtaking difficult, except for the hairpin on Turn 4. Enhancements to the track were made in 2003, particularly to the last corner and chicane, to give more possibilities for overtaking. While it hardly achieved the desired effect, it did change the strategies of the drivers, most notably Michael Shumacher’s ingeniously unique 4-stop plan, which won him the 2004 French Grand Prix, only the seventh of eight that he had won. Two years later, in 2006, Michael Shumacher made Formula 1 history by being the first driver to win any Grand Prix eight times on only one circuit. This record was delayed in 2005 by Fernando Alonso.

Schumacher’s 8-time win is only followed by native Frenchman Alain Prost’s 6 wins between 1981 to 1993. Louis Chiron of Monaco, Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina and Nigell Mansell of the UK each won four times. But one need not win multiple times at the French Grand Prix to make for a memorable race. In 1999, German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen won despite not being a top bet or favorite that year. The win was helped by the weather: a considerable downpour gave most of the other drivers problems on the track. Since then, rainy weather at Magny-Cours had been seen as a good thing.

To get to Magny-Cours, fly into the Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports in Paris, which is a two and a half hour drive to the circuit. You could also take a train to Nevers, which is fifteen minutes from the track. It’s actually difficult to get around in rural France, so have a rental car arranged before you arrive in France. Rental cars may sound like an expensive option, but they’re not as expensive as taking taxis, which are much more costly.

The great thing about rural France, on the other hand, is that there are many cozy Bed and Breakfasts that you can stay at, which are much more cost-efficient than hotels, and most of the time, much more comfortable. If you’d rather stay in a hotel, there’s the Renaissance Hotel in Magny-Cours, and other hotels in Nevers and nearby Moulins. Some French Grand Prix enthusiasts even make a camping trip of the event. Family restaurants in the surrounding villages provide many fans, drivers and crew with hearty meals.

Although all grandstands provide great views of the circuit, the big favourite among French Grand Prix aficionados is in front of where the lap begins, as it gives a spectacular view of the dizzying Turn 3, as well as the Turn 4 hairpin. French grand prix tickets are available from the Worldticketshop website.

The annual Paris Salon du Chocolat offers a wonderful opportunity for people to have even more of an excuse to visit this most romantic of cities during autumn, one of its most beautiful times of the year. For many, Paris is at its best in the autumn and, with the Salon du Chocolat regularly being held towards the end of October, all the elements are in place for a wonderful romantic interlude.

The Salon du Chocolat is a very recent addition to the Paris cultural calendar but, since its inception in 2007, it has been an immensely popular event. Held at the impressive Paris Expo site in the Porte de Versailles, it has proved to be successful in attracting both general visitors and industry specialists.

Professionals come to the Salon du Cholcolat because it is the meeting place for all those involved in production, packaging, design, equipment – in fact all aspects of the chocolate industry – and represents their perfect opportunity of finding out about the latest innovations and trends. Seminars, exhibitions and prestigious competitions such as the World Chocolate Master mean that the event has huge significance for all those people working in the chocolate, confectionery and pastry-making industries.

The general public is attracted to the Salon du Chocolat because they will be able to sample chocolate from a veritable plethora of international chocolate producers! It is a chocaholic’s dream venue – a feast for all of their senses. As well as the trade stands, there will be recipe demonstrations, fashion shows, concerts and hundreds of creative, original ideas to inspire people to further their enjoyment of chocolate.

Children aren’t forgotten at the Salon du Chocolat, either, as, every day between 11am and 7pm, there are free workshops for those between 4 and 10 years old, giving them the opportunity of experimenting with their favourite food.

So, for all those people who want to discover more about chocolate from Belgium, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Japan and a host of other countries, the Salon du Chocolat is an exciting few days.

The Paris Expo Porte de Versailles has a Métro station, Porte de Versailles, on Line 12 of the Métro system. Also, buses on routes 42, 49 and 60 stop here as well as Tram Line T3. The centre has excellent access for people of reduced mobility. The fact that the Salon du Chocolat is an autumnal occasion also means, of course, that visitors are likely to have fewer problems finding good deals in the hotels of Paris than in the crowded spring and summer months. Visit the Salon du Chocolat website for further information about this tastiest of events.

1984 was a vintage year for marathon runners; the Medoc Marathon was completed for the very first time. One of the most scenic marathon courses in the world, winding its way in one circuit through the glorious Medoc countryside and passing in excess of 50 different chateaux, this is now one of the world’s great events. Every September, ‘the Medoc’ takes over the Bordeaux area.

For many dedicated marathon runners, the Medoc Marathon now stands alongside cities such as New York and London in terms of popularity – but it couldn’t be more different. For a start, there will only be 8,500 runners completing the race; a number deliberately limited in order to maintain the atmosphere for which the Medoc is famous. This means that approximately half of the people sending in applications to run are successful, with current estimates that about one fifth of them are runners from outside France.

The race attracts an eclectic mixture of runners – from the serious athlete to the committed red wine buff. This is largely because each of the 23 drinks’ stations dotted around the course will have some of the world’s most admired red wines waiting to be tasted. We are, after all, in the land of Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafite Rothschild, to name but two. There are few other marathons that will give you the chance to stop en route for some foie gras or oysters – but the Medoc does. About 90% of the participants will be in fancy dress – and some take a considerable time to complete the gruelling course! The successful finishers always receive a much-admired Goody bag, containing more wine, a medal, tee-shirt, art print and much more.

However, the Medoc Marathon is as loved by spectators as it is by runners. The race headquarters are in the picturesque Gironde town of Pauillac and it is there that, on the Friday before the Saturday marathon, the pre-race Pasta Party takes place. This and other similar happenings in and around Bordeaux ensure that the atmosphere is, to say the least, convivial. Throughout the day, the local chateaux will have hosted wine tasting tours. That vital pre-race preparation – for most runners and spectators – will probably not, on this occasion at least, be similar to the regimes recommended in the Atheltics Weekly.

On the day of the Medoc Marathon itself, as well as the race, which starts at 9.30 am, there will be Basque Strength games, Fancy Dress Parades and, in the evening, a free Ball next to the river and the evening culminates in a noisy, colourful firework display.

On the Sunday, there will be relaxing walks through the vineyards, cycle tours, picnic lunches – and more wine tasting. It is little wonder that the Medoc attracts 100,000 spectators each September to this sublime part of France.

Bourdeaux is one of the country’s most distinguished cities and is a fine example of a city with a vast historical heritage – it is a UNESCO World heritage Site – which also has a vibrant, modern atmosphere.Elegant classical architecture sits comfortably alongside one of Europe’s most modern and energy-efficient tram networks. And the shopping along the Rue Sainte Catherine is sensational, even by sophisticated French standards.

Although it is just over 550 miles from Calais and 360 miles from Paris, the city is very accessible by car and the rail network across France is comprehensive. Bourdeaux Mérignac Airport is just six miles outside the city and has frequent flights to Britain and Paris.

The incredible Medoc Marathon has its own website so if you fancy running a marathon fuelled by 23 glasses of the best Bourdeaux – or just watching other people try – it sounds like a fabulous September weekend.

The Medieval Fair in the small town of Souvigny in the centre of France is undoubtedly one of the most atmospheric, authentic and fun-filled of its type. This small, but important, town – just about 12 miles from Vichy – hosts more than a week of spectacular medieval pageantry that attracts thousands of visitors to supplement the 2,000 permanent inhabitants.

Souvigny was once the capital of the Auvergne region of France and has great significance in the history of the Bourbon dynasty. Architecturally the town is a treasure trove, with a Romanesque church from the 12 century, the impressive Priory, the comprehensive museums and the beautifully preserved Medieval gardens. These and other features led to the town being designated as a Great Regional Site of Auvergne in 1993.

Always popular with cultural tourists, at the heart of the Bocage Bourbonnais, Souvigny now is able to capitalise on this position by hosting its annual medieval Fair at the beginning of August each year. The whole community comes alive with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of medieval life, with thousands of people enjoying the special atmosphere of the streets.

Music and theatre, of course, are at the core of the activities. In addition to troubadours wandering the streets, there are many concerts that take place in the forecourt of the Priory, outside the taverns or in the more formal Salle Saint-Marc. Street theatre – featuring juggling, stilt walking, fire-eating, puppets and general ribaldry – is going on all of the time.

Medieval jousting and sporting events, along with equestrian and falconry displays, take place every day and, at nights, in front of the Priory, there is a spectacular Fire Show. Children are well catered for as there are many opportunities for them to try their hand at pottery, juggling, stilt walking, making up and most of the other activities.

Many of the events in the programme of the Foire Medieval are free of charge, although there is a small charge for some of the evening shows and tournaments and the always popular Medieval Circus. There are, additionally, several much more formal occasions that further explore the unique medieval atmosphere. For example, the Salle Saint-Marc hosts a Grand Costumed Medieval Banquet as well as various other Ripailles which give visitors the opportunity of dressing up and really becoming an integral part of this special event.

Souvigny does not have its own train station, the closest being at the attractive nearby town of Moulins, which also has a wider range of hotels. This part of France, of course, is well-known for its self catering and gite accommodation. There are no airports in the close vicinity of the town; the nearest being Limoges, Tours and St Etienne which are all a good two hours away. Those wishing to travel by car will have a journey of about five hours from the Channel ports, much of it by motorway, if you so choose.

If you are interested in medieval life, French culture or just having a good time then the Foire Medieval gives you a wonderful opportunity of indulging yourself in a memorable way. The official website of the Medieval Fair of Souvigny is the first place to confirm dates of the event for next year.

The Tour de France is the world’s best attended sporting event. Every year, the annual 3,500 kilometre bicycle race attracts, literally, millions of spectators during its three weeks of gruelling competition. The most prestigious part of the cycling calendar, Le Tour has captured the imagination of the public almost since its inception in 1903, when it was the circulation-boosting idea of the French paper, L’Auto.

In the first races, of course, things were very different to the ultra-organised teams of today. At the beginning, there were 60 riders, covering 2400 kilometres in just six stages. In the first year, although there was prize money, the total amounted to just 12,000 Old Francs. In 2009, the winner, Spain’s Alberto Contador, picked up a first prize of €450,000. In addition, stage winners won between €8,000 to €10,000 each and there were substantial amounts for the winners of the various other jerseys. Also different was the fact that the 2009 edition of the tour actually passed through five other countries in addition to France – Andorra, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Switzerland.

This latter point illustrates the international appeal of the modern day Tour de France. The most prestigious of the three ‘Grand Tour’ events – the others being held in Italy and Spain – people worldwide are interested in who is wearing the Yellow Jersey. The distinctive outfit of the current leader of the Tour is well-known. Also significant are the Green Jersey worn by the racer with the most points in sprints during the race, the red polka dot jersey for the King of the Mountains, the White jersey for the leading young rider and the prix de la combativité – a white number printed on red as opposed to the customary black on white – for the most combative racer of the stage.

Although it has always been a race that has carried with it a fair amount of controversy – even in 1904 there were allegations of cheating, rocks thrown at riders and even riders attacked by masked men jumping out of cars. More recently, of course, most of the controversial aspects of La Grande Boucle have had more to do with illegal drug use. The very fact that the race is acknowledge as being the most physiologically punishing sporting event in the world has always led to some riders being tempted to take drugs – to either enhance performance or, especially in the earlier days, to reduce the physical pain of the equivalent of running very fast marathons nearly every day for three weeks.

In the first Tours, the substances of choice were generally alcohol, ether, strychnine, chloroform and cocaine. In 1967 it was amphetamines which killed British rider Tommy Simpson – one of only three riders to have died during a stage of the race. In more recent years, it has been the ubiquitous Erythropoietin, EPO, which has been most commonly found in drugged athletes. The 2009 riders, however, must have been just about the most tested sportsmen in the history of drug control!

During the history of the race, some of the greatest cyclists of all time have finished as wearers of the famous maillot jaune. Four men won the tour on five separate occasions – Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault – Belgian Eddy Merckx and the Spaniard Miguel Indurain, who actually won his races in consecutive years from 1991 to 1995. Merckx, still regarded by many as the greatest rider ever, actually won the yellow, green and red polka dot jerseys all in the same year – 1969 – when his winning margin over the second placed man of nearly 18 minutes has not been threatened since. Merckx also twice won eight of the race stages in a single year; another record.

The only rider who could justifiably claim to match Merckx’s achievements, of course, is the American Lance Armstrong who won an almost unbelievable seven consecutive Tours. Armstrong’s feat was all the more remarkable because of his well-documented health problems and it is disappointing that his undoubted achievements have not always been fully recognised in France itself, where many have harboured suspicions of drug use against him. In the year leading up to March, 2009, though, for example, Armstrong was negatively tested no fewer than 24 times!

There is no substitute to actually being amongst the thousands along the route of an individual stage when the riders hurtle past. However, the planning that goes into this experience should not be underestimated! Hotel rooms in the vicinity of the race will book up months in advance, as will official camp sites, so you need to have your own itinerary prepared.

Although it might seem on the television as if the cyclists will be past you in a moment and, therefore, there is not a lot to be said for waiting at the side of the road, in reality the day will be quite full. Many people, of course, like to ride sections of the race before the professionals arrive – although as the road will be closed three hours or so before the race arrives you need to even plan this activity. The hubbub before the arrival of the cyclists and then the passing of the ‘caravan’ of about 250 advertising vehicles – often throwing around ‘freebie’ souvenirs and sweets – and the almost palpable air of tension means that by the time the cacophony of noise and colour that constitutes the race arrives, you will feel a fully integrated part of the event. Make sure you take plenty of sunscreen and a good pair of shoes, though; it’s a long day.

The the full itinerary can be found on the official tour website.

Ever since it began in 1948, the Nice Jazz Festival has been the biggest and most highly regarded of its kind in Europe. At that first Nice Festival, the headline act was none other than Louis Armstrong and, since then, some of the genre’s most influential and popular performers have appeared. Names known outside the boundaries of jazz such as Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton and Charlie Mingus have all made at least one appearance in Nice.

In 1994, the emphasis of the Nice Festival turned more towards modern popular and ‘world’ music but it has now turned back to its roots a little more, whilst retaining some modern influences. This means that names such as Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Joss Stone, Katie Melua, Tracy Chapman and BB King – artists with clear jazz influences – can now be found performing here.

The Nice International Jazz Festival takes place over eight days towards the end of July each year, in the vast and picturesque Cimiez Arenas and Gardens. Starting at around 7.30 pm each evening, the Festival takes place on two different stages (three when the refurbishment is completed), with the audience being able to wander freely between them. The gardens, in the grounds of a 15th century convent, and with their olive trees, holm oaks, cypresses and Roman ruins, have to be one of the world’s most beautiful settings to listen to great music. Because of the spaciousness of the gardens, even though 50,000 people will go to listen to the jazz, there is never a feeling of being overcrowded.

Another recent development of the festival at Nice has been that many of the musicians who travel to Nice to listen to their idols perform can often be heard performing themselves all around the city until well into the night. This makes the atmosphere in Nice even more enticingly special.

The area around Nice abounds with music festivals during the summer months – more than 2000 events ranging from classical to contemporary and Latin rhythms to sacred music; there is something for the most individual tastes. Nice, as a city, is a classic Mediterranean combination of wide, white beaches, broad promenades and then the cobbled medieval streets of the beautiful Old Town. The most popular destination for tourists in France outside of Paris, Nice has to have some of the very best squares in the country – those at Rossetti (especially at night), Saleya (with its flower market), Garibaldi and Masséna stand comparison with any in the world.

Nice has the nearby Côte d’Azur airport – France’s third busiest passenger terminal – making access to the city very straightforward. It also has excellent rail connections.

As in all of southern France, the accommodation choices are as varied as one could hope for – luxury hotels, chain hotels, hostels, guest houses and gites in the surrounding hills. Voted France’s best hostel, a former Carmelite monastery in a stunning setting, the Villa Saint Exupéry, is, understandably, enormously popular with visitors. Bear in mind, though, that the south coast of France is one of Europe’s most crowded holiday destinations in July and any accommodation needs to be reserved as far in advance as possible.

With a programme of music each year that is broad, international and always impressive, the Nice Jazz Festival rightly enjoys its reputation as being Europe’s most prestigious jazz week. Certainly there could be few better places to be to listen to music on a warm summer’s evening than in the Jardins de Cimiez listening to world-class perfomers. The official website provides further details and information about how to order tickets.

The Avignon Festival – Festival d’Avignon – in the spectacular walled medieval city on the banks of the Rhône in the south of France, is perhaps France’s best-known cultural event. Founded in 1947, it’s certainly the oldest festival of its kind still continuing. For three weeks every July, the festival attracts visitors from not only France but, increasingly, from all around the world.

It was theatrical director Jean Vilar who inaugurated the festival when requested to produce a play in the spectacular Court d’Honneur, an inner courtyard of Avignon’s most famous building – the Palais des Papes. With an outdoor version of Richard II in an arena capable of holding 2,000 spectators, Vilar became committed to making the festival an annual happening and it remained under his creative guidance until his death in 1971. By that time, the prominent position of the Festival d’Avignon had become assured; it had become a truly international celebration of the performing arts.

The festival now regularly hosts many of the world’s foremost directors and companies – showcasing both theatrical classics as well as the most modern and innovative dance, music and opera. Performances are not only given in French but also in many other languages – the 2009 programme featured productions in English, Spanish, Italian, Polish, German, Arabic and Hebrew. In addition to French surtitles for most foreign language performances, a recent innovation has been the use of surtitles or simultaneous translations in English for some productions as well.

One of the most appreciated features of the Festival d’Avignon is the amount of activities that abound associated with the Festival itself. Every day there are readings, public meetings, debates, discussions and opportunities to talk with performers and directors – many of which are completely free of charge. An indispensable part of every day spent here is a copy of the Spectator’s Guide, produced daily and distributed at various points around the town. Additionally, the École d’Art has its famous Foyer des spectateurs, which serves not only as a meeting place and resource area but also as a Green Room for many artists.

Not only does the festival have about twenty of its own performance venues, but it has, since the 1980s, been supplemented by the formation of the Avignon Off Festival, in which hundreds of ‘unofficial’ shows are presented. Any company that is able to raise the funds and then find a venue can put on a production in the Festival Off, which has, therefore, much of the atmosphere of the Edinburgh Fringe – irreverent, provocative, stimulating, colourful – and often chaotic. With up to 100 different performance areas – from School halls to churches and even stone quarries – as many as 600 different companies, representing all the performing arts, now turn Avignon into one giant performance arena. When the street performers are out during the days and evenings, the squares of the city are joyous places to wander around.

As many as 150,000 visitors now flock to Avignon each summer to enjoy this vivacious and highly respected cultural extravaganza. The city gears itself up completely – for example, shuttle buses are specifically arranged to move spectators between venues easily – there is a special ‘Bustival’ route!

The city itself, of course, could not be a more perfect setting for an arts festival such as this. The old city, with its seven gates in the medieval walls, is completely mesmerising with its elegant streets, palaces, churches and squares – as well as the bridge, of course. There is also a very lively and thriving restaurant and café culture. And all this in the middle of Provence.

There should be few problems finding suitable accommodation in and around the city – everything from large and small hotels, guest houses, hostels, gites and camp sites. Obviously, the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get exactly what you are looking for but, in this part of France, the choice is exceptional.

Getting to Avignon is also fairly straightforward. For those who like to drive through France, the motorways to the south are superb and, once you are here, there is good parking. Both Parking de l’Île Piot and Parking des Italiens provide free spaces and a shuttle bus into the city and there are numerous other large car parks.

Avignon rail station is on the TVG route and, again, there is a good shuttle bus service to the city centre. Avignon airport – about 10 minutes from the city – has some international flights but the much larger and better connected Marseille – Provence airport is only a 50 mile drive from Avignon.

For information about the Avignon Festival there’s an excellent English language festival website which has all the ticket details.

If for cinema, France has the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, for music, it has the globally embraced Fête de la Musique (World Music Day). The Fête is not just an event but a cultural phenomenon that happens every 21st day of June, the day of the summer solstice in the country. On this longest day of the year, the streets of Paris are awash with the sound of virtually every kind of music.

The concept is said to have been first suggested by American musician Joel Cohen who was then employed by France Musique, the national radio station of France. Cohen gave the idea for an all-night musical affair in celebration of the summer solstice, which was later developed by music and dance director Maurie Fleuret for the Minister of Culture, Jack Lang. The first Fête de la Musique was held in 1982.

More than one hundred cities all around the world have since adopted the festival, celebrating it annually. These include major cities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, a few cities in the United States, and even in Israel, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. The day of the festival is now also known as World Music Day.

Fête de la Musique is one of the best reasons to visit Paris in the summer. During the festival, you will see the city streets and harbors transformed with open-air stages featuring an eclectic array of musical performances. Both veteran and amateur musicians from different genres?from classical to more contemporary styles of music like Latin, rock, jazz, and even acid house?are invited to participate.

The festivities are held not just in Paris, but throughout the Ile de France region, with sometimes over four hundred organized events. Well known musicians typically perform the large open-air concerts, while other events feature young musicians playing their original compositions. Several bars and cafes also host indoor performances, while different music schools prepare samba parades for street spectators. There are also huge street dance parties, with DJs dealing out the beats. Other special events that have been included in previous festivals include music workshops, Bollywood-style dance performances and a gypsy festival.

There are two ways you can go about enjoying the Fête de la Musique. One is to get the schedule of listed events and pick out particular ones that you don’t want to miss. It is also exciting, however, to just roam around and discover music and performers you might never have heard before. There is usually a transportation ticket that you can buy for unlimited use of the Ile de France network during the festival, so you can go see a number of different events in their different venues.

Most of the concerts during the festival are free to the public. All events officially endorsed by the Fête de la Musique organization, in particular, require no ticket purchase. Fête de la Musique is an annual festival with a fixed date, which is June 21. More information appears on the Fête de la Musique’s website.

The Nice Carnival has developed into the most popular winter festival on the French Riviera coastline, attracting well over a million visitors to this beautiful city every year. A fortnight of carnival processions and flower parades, combined with fireworks and parties, reaches its climax around Shrove Tuesday – Mardi Gras.

Historical records show that there were carnival festivities in Nice as far back as 1294 but it was in 1873 that a committee was established to oversee the activities. The first ever Flower Parade – a genteel affair in which the city’s wealthy visitors drove their carriages along the Promenade des Anglais and exchanged bouquets – has developed into the modern Bataille de Fleurs. Twenty spectacularly decorated floats, manned by extravagantly costumed revellers, travel the same sea front route but now approximately 100,000 flowers are thrown to the crowds. The floats are accompanied by marching bands and drum majorettes. Carnival organisers are proud of the fact that the vast majority of the flowers are locally grown and the colour of the gladioli, gerberas, daisies, carnations, roses, mimosa and other ostentatious blooms is totally breathtaking.

The Promenade des Anglais – named after the English gentry who ‘wintered’ in the south of France and proposed the sea front road initially – is closed off for the Flower Parades, and there is a charge to attend. Reserved seating is available.

In addition to the Flower parades, there are, on the Sundays of the Carnival, full carnival parades, with gigantic papier mâché figures, masked revellers and all the other traditional elements that make Carnival such an exuberant time. For the Carnival parades there is an entrance fee at Place Masséna, otherwise it’s free of charge for spectators along the route. There are dazzling parades of some kind every single day for the whole of Carnival.

Carnival is always a time of unlimited celebration and Nice is famed throughout France as being the most party-loving city at this time of the year. Both day and night, the whole city is full of vibrant colour and effervescence.

Nice is famously one of the most popular cities on the French Riviera, with some delightful cobbled streets, romantic chateaux and a lively seafront. As well as the Promenade des Anglais, which must be one of France’s most recognisable images, there is the imposing Casino Ruhl and the Venetian-style Palais de la Meiterranee. It also has an endearing old town, with a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets and atmospheric shops. In the heart of the old town is the busy market of Cours Saleya, where you’ll find some more of those stunning flowers and plenty of art and antiques.

And while you’re here, it’s only a short drive along the coast to visit Monte Carlo.

Nice Côte d’Azur airport is actually France’s third largest, in terms of passenger numbers – only the two Paris airports have more traffic – and, consequently, access to the city is plentiful, from all around Europe. It’s also well-connected by rail.

There are a large number of visitors to the Carnival celebrations so it’s highly recommended that you book Nice accommodation well in advance. Some of France’s most prestigious hotels are along this coastline, after all, but there are around 300 hotels in total in and around the city so prices cater for all budgets. Interestingly, what has been voted France’s best hostel – and in the top five hostels worldwide five years in succession – is also here. The Villa Saint Exupéry – and that name will conjure up childhood memories for quite a few readers – is housed in a former Carmelite monastery and has a fantastic reputation – but you’ll need to make your reservation well in advance.

Nice Carnival is a marvellous French celebration with a wide international appeal; it is a wonderful reason for visiting a wonderful city. Further information can be found on the official Carnival website.