This summer musical event is free and hosts all kinds of performers both professional and amateur. Fete de la Musique falls each year on June 21 and aims to celebrate the arrival of summer with a full day of free music in various open-air venues throughout France. Many performances take place in the streets while others happen in parks, parking lots and plazas. The festival was launched in 1982 by the French Ministry of Culture and has since spread to many other countries including the United States, Canada, Argentina, Romania and Thailand. The French version of Fete de la Musique takes place on the same day in multiple cities around France, though the majority of performances happen in Paris. All genres of music are featured, including rock, hip-hop electronica and reggae. See the Fete de la Musique's website for specific information on concert locations and schedules.
Fete de la Musique
21 Rue de La Villette
Paris 75019
France
011 33 1-42-06-66-06
fetedelamusique.culture.fr
Each summer in the quiet farmlands of Western France, hardcore heavy metal fans unite to participate in Hellfest, France's biggest heavy metal showcase. Founded in 2002, the festival was originally called Furfest until organizers changed its name in 2006. The loudest and hardest-rocking bands from far and near come to perform at Hellfest each year, and past performers include Alice Cooper, Biohazard, Sepultura, Godflesh and Immortal. Hellfest features four stages, food and beverage venders, first-aid tents and restroom facilities. Hellfest is a three-day festival that offers ample camping facilities, though there are plenty of bed and breakfasts and small inns within close proximity. Hellfest is free for all kids under 12.
Hellfest
La Petite Fosse à l'ane
Fuilet 49270
France
011 33 2-41-58-71-61
hellfest.fr
This annual festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt is held each summer in the town of Samois-sur-Seine where the legendary jazz guitarist spent his final years. Artists from around Europe and beyond gather here to share their love of gypsy jazz, a style of European guitar music developed by Django and others during the early part of the 20th century. Past performers include Paco de Lucia, Marcel Loeffler, Caravan Palace, Eric Legnini, and Gilbert Leroux. Many artists fuse traditional gypsy jazz with contemporary styles like electronica and urban blues. Samois-sur-Seine offers lots of simple accommodations, including campsites and small hotels.
Festival Django Reinhardt
5 Rue Victor Chevin
Samois-sur-Seine 77920
France
festivaldjangoreinhardt.com
