Auvergne is famous for its Romanesque churches and architecture, as well as its delicious cuisines, cheeses, fine sparkling wines and tasting. Apart from its interesting historical remains, Auvergne is also popular for its winter sports resorts and mountain spas that have attracted a large volume of tourists from all over the world.
There are many great festivals to suit all tastes that take place throughout the Auvergne region, attracting many tourists. From short film festivals to art, history and music festivals, Auvergne definitely has a lot to offer throughout the year. Make your vacation in France an extraordinary and valuable experience by making your presence felt at the colorful and impressive festivals of Auvergne.
1. Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, February 1-9, 2013
This festival is highly appreciated in the world of short films and 2013 is the 35th year that it has been held. It incorporates a marketplace where collectors can pick up rarities and find short films spanning all types of genre.
This famous festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. It is a perfect place to watch short films but also to enjoy delving into the shorts of previous years, in one of the thirty-five video terminals.
It’s a great networking arena for those involved in the industry, and it’s packed with booths, events, and great exposure.
2. Limoges Carnival, Esplanade Champ-du-Juillet, March 3, 2013
Carnivals are wonderful and this one in particular is quite reputable and attracts international artists, so you may see Brazilian dancers and musicians and other fun and talented international acts. The Limoges Carnival has been held since 1989 on the first Sunday of March.
It is organized along a 3 kilometer route and the procession is expected to attract around 75,000 people. It culminates with the demolition of the Carnival King.
Around 1,200 people take part in the entertainment, with an average of 10 top bands being guests from other areas of France and other parts of Europe.
3. Videoformes, Clermont-Ferrand, from March 20 to 23, 2013
Celebrate video, international art video and many cultural and digital festivals at the Videoformes Festival in Clermont Ferrand. This has been running in the spring every year since 1986. You can join debates, conferences and discuss projects and ideas. There are also contests for children. For those involved, it is a meeting of minds and a platform for exchanging ideas.
Festivals run as above, however the exhibition runs from March 21 to April 7.
4. Water Drinkers Festival, Vic Sur Cere, April 20-21, 2013
This is a water festival that aims to educate people about an eco-friendly lifestyle on the one hand, but while having a lot of fun on the other hand. It dates from 1896 although it was not active for a long time until 2011 when it was revived.
Families can enjoy water fun, picnics, crafts, family workshops, and entertainment.
5. Festival International Cinema et Costume Moulins – International Film and Costume Festival, June 2013, dates pending
A wonderful celebration of the importance of costumes in film, covering both period and contemporary films. The costumes are so central to the film, as we quickly assess the characters on screen, and the costumes are an essential means of communicating messages to us, the viewers.
Held in Allier, Moulins, this impressive festival takes place in June each year and screens around 20 films that were carefully selected for their beauty and exquisite costumes.
6. Les Europennes du Goucirct, Aurillac, early July (6, 7 and 8, 2012)
This is perhaps one of the most popular and crowded festivals in this region of France. It is a 3-day cultural and gastronomic festival that is celebrated through a combination of live music, tasting, workshops, round tables, demonstrations and animation. This festival, which takes place in Aurillac (Cantal) in July each year, has around 100 exhibitors.
In 2012 beef was especially celebrated, and in 2011 pork. There are short courses during the festival and plenty of local products such as cheese, wines, spices, baked goods, as well as local products from other European participants.
7. Rendez-Vous Country Festival, Craponne-sur-Arzon, July 26-28, 2013
If you like country music then this is the place for you this July. It features some of the best artists in Nashville and Austin, USA, and for country music fans, you can enjoy a wide diversity of music and performers, all played in a natural amphitheatre. Watch out for new talent too!
8. Festival Musique Sur un Plateau, Brivadois, end of July (July 22-29, 2012)
This is the festival for lovers of art history and music. Every July, the Brivadois region, which is next door to the Brioude, is highlighted by a series of outstanding classical performances and concerts.
The festival promotes the history of the area, classical music and art, and the connection between the two.
9. Monastier Festival, La Vicarie, early August (3 to 11 August 2012)
2013 is the 25th edition of this metal music festival. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music that surprisingly uses brass instruments! From jazz to baroque, from world music to traditional French songs.
10. Renaissance Fecirctes – King of the Bird, 3rd weekend of September (12-16 September 2012)
It is a colorful Renaissance festival that takes place in Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire) every September, on the third weekend. The event is notable for its impressive re-enactment of the archery competition that took place sometime in the 16th century.
In operation since 1986, this is a cultural event that combines fun, beauty and expression. Join the crowd as the city celebrates the festival through demonstrations, shows and concerts over five days.
11. Francophonies in Limousin, 11 Avenue du Géneral-de-Gaulle, September 25-October 5, 2013
Check out the creme-de-la-creme of international French theatre. The term Francophonie encompasses French-speaking cultures throughout the world.
Running since 1984, this festival celebrates its 30th birthday in 2013. The 2012 festival was attended by over 15,500 people, with a large number of performances, discussions, meetings and exhibitions.
12. Fecirce de la Chataigne (Chestnut Festival), Mourjou, October
Mourjou (Cantal) is a town with a huge population of 360 at last count, but every year in October it lets around 20,000 visitors enjoy the Chestnut Festival. Partake in eating and drinking copious amounts of chestnuts and cider. In fact, the norm is that there are 5,000 liters of cider and 2 tons of chestnuts.
This fair began in 1990 when some of the younger inhabitants decided that it was time to revive the chestnut, which had experienced a great decline since the modernization of agriculture.
Enjoy lots of fun, other local delicacies, storytelling, street music, technical demonstrations, games for the kids, wine tasting and much more.