Festivals in Provence

This is only a partial list of activities scheduled for the

Spring – Summer- Fall “Season”

in towns near Maison des Pelerins and la Baume des Pelerins in Sablet.

Please note: Towns and villages nearby, but not “in the neighborhood” will have additional activities – look out for information on any particular town you wish to visit; and when you are in Provence, look for advertisements posted around the village about activities in neighboring villages.

In addition to the activities listed below, wine tours are available at Wine Uncovered ( http://www.wine-uncovered.com/ ) right in the village. As you travel around the area you will see posters on sign posts and in shop windows advertising a variety of events also taking place during this time.

SPRING

AVIGNON MOTOR FESTIVAL March/April Avignon

www.avignon-motor-festival.com

PRINTEMPS BAROQUE

April in Vaison-la-Romaine

Theatrical and musical shows, Commedia dell’Arte, vocal and instrumental

concerts from, 17th and 18th century Italian Operas.

www.vaison-la-romaine.com

ANTIQUES MARKET

May 1st Sablet

May 1st is La Fete du Travail” or Labor Day in France. It is also La Fete du Muguet when it is customary to give loved ones a bouquet of Muguets (Lily of the Valley) for good luck and to celebrate the beginning of Spring. The annual Antiques Market brings an atmosphere of spring festivity with the whole village taking part in hosting visitors.

MARCHE AUX FLEURS

May in Richeranches

Look for the advertisements for the annual Flower Market which takes place on a Sunday. The whole town is decorated with flowers, plant and flower stalls.

LES FLORAISONS MUSICALS (MUSICAL BLOOMING)

May and June – Chateauneuf du Pape, Venasque and Valreas

International music festival.

Chateauneuf du Pape Tourism Office

Tel. 33 (0)4 90 83 71 08

FESTIVAL DE JAZZ EN LUBERON

May in Sault, Goult, St. Saturnin les Apt,

Cavaillon, Roussillon, Saignon, Bonnieux

From 6pm until late in the evening, in streets, squares and cafes you can enjoy jazz.

www.jazzluberon.net

LA VALSE DES AS

May in Valreas

This festival of waltz and dance has approx 50 free street performances. www.ot-valreas.info

ANTIQUES MARKET – ISLE SUR LA SORGUE

Easter in Isle sur la Sorgue.

This market boasts over 500 exhibitors spread across town. After Easter it continues every Sunday on a smaller scale (approx 300 exhibitors).

www.oti-delasorgue.fr

SUMMER

FESTIVAL D’AVIGNON (THEATRE AND FILM FESTIVAL)

July in Avignon

This is one of the oldest and most famous theatre festivals in the world, taking place every year since 1947 during three weeks in July.

Pictures and Information

www.festival-avignon.com

NAUTICAL PARADE

July in Isle sur la Sorgue

Held at night time, during the closing ceremonies to the Festival de la Sorgue, this nautical parade features a battle of flowers and decorated floats, lighting up the river.

www.oti-delasorgue.fr

THE ESTIVALS IN CARPENTRAS

July in Carpentras

This summer festival known as the “Estivals” features performances of music, dance and theatre. This is a leading summer event in the Comtat Venaissin featuring well known artists.

www.ville-carpentras.fr

THE CHOREGIES D’ORANGE

July and August in Orange

Dating back to 1869, the famous Choral Festival takes place in the magnificent and impressive setting of Roman theatre in Orange. Performances are given by famous names in opera and symphonic music and draw music lovers from far and wide.

www.choregies.asso.fr

FESTIVAL IN VAISON LA ROMAINE

July in Vaison la Romaine

This festival has been taking place for 70 years in the Roman theatre. Recently, there has been an emphasis on dance with performances by many and varied companies.

www.vaison-festival.com

INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET FESTIVAL

July to September – Fontaine de Vaucluse, Roussillon, Goult, Isle sur la Sorgue, Cabrieres d’Avignon

Throughout the summer, a series of wonderful concerts in beautiful venues.

MEDIEVAL MARKET

1st Sunday in July – Mornas

On this day each year for the past 12years, Mornas has stepped back to a time when valiant warriors, knights, minstrels and troubadours, gentle ladies and maids take over the town. The town is decorated – tents are raised – refreshments are served under the shade of plane trees.

THEATRE AND MUSIC IN THE PAPAL ENCLAVE

Late July – mid August – Valreas, Richeranches, Grillon, Visan

Varied program featuring theatre, music and visual www.ot-valreas.info

SUMMER EVENINGS IN GORDES

First two weeks August – Gordes

Music and theatre in a special venue – great artists in beautiful surroundings.

JOURNEES DU LIVRES (BOOK FESTIVAL)

Third weekend in July – Sablet

Twenty years old – this festival brings together over 100 writers to present their books. Wine is a big part of the festivities and fun.

MUSIC IN THE VINEYARDS

July – August Ste Cecile les Vignes, Bollene, Cairanne, Jonquieres, Camaret, Vaison la Romaine, Seguret, Gigondas

High quality concerts and recitals during the long summer nights in a famous wine-making villages. Wine tasting at the end of the performances.

FERIA OF THE FOUNTAINS

July – Pernes les Fontaines

Equestrian Gala and Spanish-Camargue Bullfight shows – this “Feria” features lots of activities and entertainment, abrivado, Sevillane and Flamenco dance, pena, bandas and a magnificent parade of horses on Sunday.

www.ville-pernes-les-fontaines.fr

THE NIGHT OF LEGENDS

August – Pernes les Fontaines

Starting at 9pm the audience is guided through the streets of the village by torchlight. On a small square near the old washing fountain, storytellers tell stories and legends, framed in the beautiful doorway of an old village mansion. As midnight comes around, street performances continue the evening, after which everyone gathers on the bankds of the Nesque River for Pistou Soup. Reservations required.

www.ville-pernes-les-fontaines.fr

TRETEAUX DE NYMPHEE

August – Vaison la Romaine

Shakespearian theatre festival.

www.vaison-la-romaine.com

THE GRAPE RIPENING FESTIVAL

August in Chateauneuf du Pape

The village goes back in time to the Middle Ages. In the evening, as night falls, a grand medieval banquet is served by candlelight under big tents embellished with the pontifical coat of arms.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ot-chato9-pape

FALL

PARCOURS DE L’ART

October in Avignon

An Art Show – exhibited throughout the entire city, showing works by contemporary artists (painting, sculpture, photo, video etc.)

Espace Gaillanne

www.parcoursdelart.com

INTERNATIONAL MIND GAMES TOURNAMENT

October – November in Avignon

Bridge, Scrabble, Chess, Go, Pyramid, Checkers and other board games. Fifteen hundred participants throughout Europe compete over several days.

CINAMBULE – FESTIVAL OF SHORT FILMS

November in Cabrieres d’Avignon

AUTUMN ORGAN FESTIVAL

November in Avignon

A series of concerts and recitals in the temples, chapels and churches of the City.

AMATEUR THEATRE FESTIVAL “LES DYONISIES”

November in Pertuis

FETE DU LIVRE DE LA BANDE DESSINEE

November in Pertuis

Festival of Cartoon books.

Here there are readings, literary cafes, conferences, signings and other events which bring the audience, the works, and the authors together.

Maison de la Culture.