The Local France

France's Fête de la musique 'will go ahead, with masks and a curfew'

Tue, 18 May 2021 18:09:43 +0200

France's famous summer music festival the Fête de la musique will go ahead, but with health restrictions in place, says the culture minister.

Japan the star of huge eight-month festival in France

Sat, 14 Jul 2018 11:30:53 +0200

The largest celebration of Japanese culture ever to take place outside the country starts this weekend in France.

France to hold its first festival in honour of redheads

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 11:12:25 +0100

Brittany in western France is set to hold the country's first festival dedicated to redheads, giving French bearers of the rare hair colour a chance to celebrate the flaming locks for which they often face unfair ridicule.

15 injured as lightning strikes French music festival

Sun, 03 Sep 2017 12:34:49 +0200

Fifteen people were injured, two of them seriously, when lightning struck a tent during a music festival in northeast France on Saturday, local officials and reports said.

French trio Wanderer cancels Lebanon concert: festival

Sun, 30 Jul 2017 11:19:52 +0200

French classical group Trio Wanderer cancelled its Sunday evening concert in Lebanon's Baalbek International Festival, a day after activists lambasted it for playing in Israel last year.

Lollapalooza music festival to launch in Paris this summer

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 09:37:19 +0100

The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd and the Pixies will play the inaugural Paris edition of Lollapalooza as the longstanding US alternative culture festival expands.

Terror fears mute French solstice music bash

Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:01:52 +0200

France's annual summer solstice music extravaganza -- a party it has exported across the globe -- will be slightly muted this year amid terror fears and the Euro 2016 football tournament.

France readies for first national 'motorway party'

Tue, 17 May 2016 14:33:45 +0200

France's first ever 'Fete des Autoroutes' or 'Motorway Party' will take place on Sunday - and we think it might be more fun than it sounds.

Trained hawks will keep gulls away from Cannes VIPs

Mon, 16 May 2016 13:25:12 +0200

The last thing rich and famous visitors to Cannes want is a cheeky seagull swooping in to nibble their peanuts or steal their steak.

The death penalty film stirring emotions at Cannes

Mon, 16 May 2016 12:23:13 +0200

Before he made his new film about the death penalty, Boo Junfeng sat down to tea with some of Singapore's retired hangmen. He also talked to the priests and imams who helped condemned prisoners make their last walk to the gallows.

Why has France scrapped its most spectacular festival?

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:49:17 +0200

Over ten thousand people have signed petitions after authorities cancelled the largest free festival in France, Roman Nights or Les Nuits Romanes.

What's on in France: Ten brilliant things to do in March

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:22:08 +0100

From bullfighting to cheese, and plenty of film and music festivals, there's a lot going on in France this month.

Venice lifetime award for France's Tavernier

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 09:42:00 +0100

French film director Bertrand Tavernier is to be honoured with a lifetime's work award at this year's Venice Film Festival, organizers announced on Tuesday.

IN IMAGES: Lyon lights up for Fête des Lumières

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 11:23:00 +0100

Lyon is serving up a spectacular light and candle show for its annual Fête des Lumières. Here's a selection of the best images from a festival that was born out of coincidence and dates as far back as 1852.

Strike forces Avignon to cancel opening shows

Fri, 04 Jul 2014 14:44:00 +0200

The head of France's world famous Avignon Theatre Festival cancelled two productions set to open the event on Friday due to a strike by festival staff. A larger strike from performers threatens to cripple the month-long event.

Avignon Festival to open despite strike threat

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 19:11:00 +0200

France's world-famous theatre festival in Avignon is set to open on Friday, but will do so under the threat of a strike by performers which could cripple the month-long event. However, festival technicians, ticket sellers and other staff voted on Tuesday to stay on the job.

Avignon festival: Why it might not happen

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 18:11:00 +0200

France's Avignon Festival, one the biggest performing arts events in the world, may be effectively shut down this year because of a strike by actors and technicians. A union rep tells The Local what performers are upset about.

Avignon festival 'to be moved' if far right win

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 17:29:00 +0100

The organizers of France's famous Avignon Arts Festival have threatened to pull the plug on the event after the National Front topped the polls in the historic town in the first round of the local elections.

Festival condoms cause contoversy in Condom

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:00:42 +0200

A festival in South West France has annoyed the local authorities by producing paraphernalia based on its host town’s namesake – a condom.