The Francofolies at La Rochelle is a popular music festival that celebrates all styles of French contemporary music. Performances take place at various venues in the city, accompanied by street art and a real festival vibe.
Le Violon sur le Sable is a huge classical music festival in Royan taking place on July 18-28th. The many free performances take place in and around la plage de la conche.
Chill Party on the Beach, takes place on July 11th from 7pm, at Promenade du Platin, Saint Palais sur Mer. Entry is free, and sunbeds are provided!
Further South in Provence, the Valensole Lavender festival takes place on the third Sunday in July. The locals pay tribute to this fragrant herb, and you can walk amongst the fields, talk to producers, and take part in many entertaining events.
July 10-14 is the Bayonne Festival in the Basque Country. From bullfighting to concerts to food celebrations and cultural events – this is a major event of France’s festival calendar, with thousands of people parading through the streets in traditional Basque costumes.
The Jazz Festival in Marciac is a huge event for Jazz fans on July 18th (read more here).
Finally, Carcassonne hosts a month-long medieval festival throughout July, including opera performances, orchestral concerts, movies, theatre, dance, and more.