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Concerts, festivals and shows in France: booking tickets

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In short: France has a rich cultural life all year round: big summer festivals, concerts in major venues, theatre and opera, major sporting events. To make the most of it: buy tickets early, only from official ticket sellers, and book accommodation at the same time, as it goes fast around big events.

The big summer festivals

Summer is festival season all over France. Some of the best-known events (dates and line-ups [TO CHECK] every year):

  • Festival d’Avignon (July): theatre and performing arts, the whole city lives to the festival’s rhythm;
  • Les Vieilles Charrues (Carhaix, Brittany, July): one of France’s largest music festivals;
  • Hellfest (Clisson, near Nantes, June): a reference for metal music;
  • Les Francofolies (La Rochelle, July): French-language music;
  • Jazz à Juan (Juan-les-Pins, July) and Les Nuits de Fourvière (Lyon, summer);
  • Rock en Seine (near Paris, late summer).

And on 21 June, the Fête de la musique brings free concerts to the streets of every town.

Concerts, theatre and shows all year

  • Paris has the big concert halls, theatres, opera houses, cabarets and musicals;
  • Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Lille, Toulouse also have major venues and rich cultural seasons;
  • in winter, Christmas markets (Strasbourg, Colmar…) are events in their own right, generally free.

Sport

  • Tennis: the Roland-Garros tournament in Paris (late May – early June);
  • Cycling: the Tour de France in July, free by the roadside;
  • Rugby and football: international matches and league games in the big stadiums.

For major sporting events, tickets are often sold first on the organiser’s official website, sometimes by ballot [TO CHECK].

Buying tickets without getting caught out

  1. Use the official website of the event or venue, or the ticket sellers it recommends.
  2. Beware of listings from individuals on social media: the main source of fake tickets.
  3. Use the official resale platform if you can no longer attend.
  4. Check whether the ticket is named: ID may be required at the entrance [TO CHECK].
  5. Keep your ticket on your phone and a copy: mobile networks are often saturated at big events.

Planning your stay

  • Transport: trains and buses are often added for major festivals but fill up quickly; see our guide Trains and buses in France.
  • Accommodation: a hotel in town, the festival campsite, or a place in a nearby town connected by train.
  • On a budget: free festivals, Fête de la musique, last-minute tickets on official platforms.

For the rest of your trip, read our complete guide to travelling in France.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I safely buy concert or show tickets?

On the official website of the event or venue, or from the official ticket sellers it lists. Avoid listings from individuals on social media and unauthorised resale sites: fake tickets and inflated prices are common there.

Can I resell a ticket I can't use?

Many organisers offer an official resale platform. In France, reselling tickets above face value without the organiser's permission is restricted by law. [TO CHECK: the event's conditions]

When should I book for a major festival?

As early as possible: major festivals often put tickets on sale months in advance and sell out quickly. Book accommodation as soon as you have your tickets, as nearby places go fast.