Festivals in the French Alps

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Festivals in the French Alps

Like all towns and villages in France the towns and villages of the French Alps have a full calendar of annual events celebrating the seasons (harvest festivals, chestnut festivals), local history, childhood and youth, music, dance and more. 

Refer to local tourist offices which have details on the up-coming events, or to the AngloINFO What's On Guide.

• See The AngloFILE for Tourist Offices & Information
• See the AngloINFO What's On Guide

Major annual events through the region include the following:

Isère (38)

Grenoble 

Grenoble Jazz Festival: Grenoble's annual jazz festival attracts top performers and aficionados from around the world. The festival began in 1973 and has grown to over 40 performances over the two-week period with performances in venues around the city. Details on venues, ticket outlets and performers are available on the website in the run up to the event.

• Grenoble Jazz Festival en Isère
  At: 6 rue Hector Berlioz, 38002 Grenoble
  Tel: 04 76 51 00 04 Festival programme information
  Tel: 04 76 51 65 32 Bureau du festival
  e-mail
  Website

Annual festivals include the Festival les Barbares, a theatre, music, dance and comedy festival which takes place annually in late September/early October at various venues in and around Grenoble, and the eclectic annual Festival Rocktambule of music events in venues and locations in and around town. 

Other local events include a Cycling Festival (last week in October) and a Circus Festival with international acts and competitions which takes place in November. 

Ski and Snowboard Mondial

Annually, during the inter season between summer and winter, Les Deux Alpes is host to the Mondial du Ski ski and snow board festival with competitions on the glacier and evening events in the town as the entire station opens up for two weekends at the end of October/early November.

There is a weekend devoted to the skiers and one to the snowboarders, it is organised by the DAL, Deux Alpes Loisiers.

• Deux Alpes Loisirs
  At: Service Evénementiel, Immeuble le Meijotel, Les Deux Alpes (38)
  Tel: 04 76 79 75 15
  Fax: 04 76 80 57 28
  e-mail
  Website

Savoie (73)

World Cup Skiing in Val d'Isere

Every year the World Cup Ski tour stages races on the Bellevarde/La Daille part of the Espace Killy ski area which connects Val d'Isere and Tignes. It is one of the most popular stages on the FIS World Cup downhill ski tour and usually takes place in December.

• Club des Sports de Val d'Isère
  Tel: 04 79 06 03 49
  Fax: 04 79 06 26 11
  e-mail
  Website
  FIS Ski website
  Ski World Cup Website

Champagny-en-Vanoise  

La Gorzderette is an annual three-day event in January with an offbeat schedule of free competitions including hay sledding, ice tower climbing, archery and Nordic skiing. There are evening concerts at venues through town.

Champagny-en-Vanoise hosts a full calendar of festivals including the Classical Musical Festival in March and the International Film Festival in April. Entry is free to both events.

Valloire

For over 20 years Valloire has hosted an annual International Snow Sculpture Competition in late January. Modelled on the traditional Canadian snow and ice sculpture competitions, works are open to viewing by the public.

Haute Savoie (74)

Chamonix

The town plays host to several World Cup and European Championship events during the ski season. 

Dates and locations vary, Club des Sports Chamonix has details of events.

Hautes Alpes (05)

La Grave  

Derby de la Meije: This annual five-day festival centres on the legendary race where all that matters is to descend the 2,150m vertical course as quickly as possible. There are concerts, meals and other celebrations over the week. 

Vars

The International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) holds a leg of its annual International World Cup competition in the mountains of Vars during December. 500 dogs compete over courses between 4 and 14 kilometres in length. The event is free to spectators.