Auvergne is famous for its Romanesque churches and architecture, as well as its delicious cuisine, cheeses, fine and sparkling wines. In addition to 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 that follow all tastes that are celebrated in the Auvergne region and that are driven by many tourists. From short film festivals to art, history and music festivals, Auvergne definitely has a lot to offer all year round. Make your vacation in France a worthwhile and extraordinary experience by bringing your presence to 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 is celebrated. It incorporates a marketplace where collectors can choose rarities and find short films that span all types of genres.
This famous festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. It is a perfect place to watch short films but also to enjoy short films from previous years, in one of the thirty-five video terminals.
It’s a great networking scene for those involved in the industry, and it’s packed with booths, events, and a great deal of exposure.
2. Limoges Carnival, Esplanade Champ-du-Juillet, March 3, 2013
Carnivals are wonderful and this one in particular has a great reputation and attracts international artists, so you can see Brazilian dancers and musicians and other fun and talented international acts. The Limoges Carnival has been celebrated since 1989 on the first Sunday in March.
It is organized along a 3-kilometer route, and the procession is expected to attract around 75,000 people. It culminates in the drowning of the Carnival King.
Around 1200 people are involved in providing the entertainment, with an average of 10 major bands being invited from other areas of France, as well as other parts of Europe.
3. Videoformes, Clermont-Ferrand, March 20-23, 2013
Celebrate video, international art video and many cultural and digital festivals at the Videoformes Festival in Clermont Ferrand. This has been running in spring every year since 1986. You can join debates, conferences, and discuss projects and ideas. There are also competitions for children. For those involved, it is a meeting of minds and a platform for the exchange of ideas.
The festivals run as stated above, however the exhibition runs from March 21 to April 7.
4. Feast of the water drinkers, 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 back to 1896, although it was not active for long until 2011, when it was revived.
Families can enjoy water fun, picnics, crafts, family workshops and animations.
5. Festival International Cinema et Costume Moulins – International Film and Costume Festival, June 2013, pending dates
A wonderful celebration of the importance of costume in film, spanning both period and contemporary films. Costume is so central to the film, as we assess characters on screen quickly, and costumes are an essential means of communicating messages to us viewers.
Held in Allier, Moulins, this impressive festival takes place in June each year and screens around 20 films that were carefully selected for the beauty and exquisiteness of the costumes.
6. Les Europennes du Goucirct, Aurillac, early July (6, 7 and 8 in 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, tastings, workshops, panel discussions, demonstrations and entertainment. 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 abundant local products such as cheese, wines, spices, baked goods, as well as local products from other European participants.
7. Country Rendez-Vous Festival, Craponne-sur-Arzon, July 26-28, 2013
If you love country music, this is the place for you this July. It features some of the best artists from Nashville and Austin, USA, and for fans of country music, you can enjoy a great diversity of music and performers, played in a natural amphitheater. Watch out for new talents too!
8. Festival Musique Sur un Plateau, Brivadois, end of July (July 22-29, 2012)
This is the festival for lovers of art and music history. Every July, the Brivadois region, which is next to the Brioude, is highlighted by a series of outstanding classical music performances and concerts.
The festival promotes the history of the area, classical music and art, and the connection between them.
9. Festival du Monastier, La Vicairie, early August (August 3-11, 2012)
2013 is the 25th edition of this metal festival. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music that surprisingly uses brass instruments! From jazz to baroque, from world music to traditional French songs.
10. Fecirctes Renaissance – Roi de l’Oiseau, 3rd weekend of September (12 to 16 September 2012)
It is a colorful Renaissance festival that takes place in Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire) every September, the third weekend. The event is notable for the impressive reenactment of the archery competition that took place sometime in the 16th century.
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 Geacuteneral-de-Gaulle, September 25 to October 5, 2013
Take a look at the creme-de-la-creme of the international French theater. The term Francophonie encompasses French-speaking cultures around the world.
In operation since 1984, this festival turns 30 in 2013. The 2012 festival had an attendance of more than 15,500, with a host of performances, debates, meetings and exhibitions.
12. Fecircte de la Chataigne (Chestnut Festival), Mourjou, October
Mourjou (Cantal) is a town with a huge population of 360 people at last count, but every year in October it allows 20,000 visitors to enjoy the Chestnut Festival. Participate in eating and drinking copious amounts of chestnuts and cider. In fact, the norm is that there are 5000 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 resurrect the chestnut tree, which had experienced a sharp 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.