Summer Festivals 2010

There’s something for every taste at France’s summer festivals, from opera and piano music to photography and street theater. Among the best:

 

AIX-EN-PROVENCE: FESTIVAL D’AIX

One of the most prestigious opera and music festivals in Europe, founded in 1948, held in several venues including the courtyard of the 17th-century former Episcopal Palace and the new Grand Théâtre de Provence. This year’s lineup includes Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Gluck’s Alceste and Rameau’s Pygmalion. 08.20.92.29.23; from abroad +33.4.34.08.02.17. website June 26-July 21

ANTIBES JUAN-LES-PINS: JAZZ A JUAN

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Jazz à Juan was created in 1960 as a tribute to the great saxophone player Sidney Bechet. Since then it has grown into one of Europe’s most prestigious international jazz festivals. Among the many jazz stars performing this year: Keith Jarrett, George Benson, Melody Gardot, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Diana Krall. website July 14-25

 

ARLES: LES RENCONTRES D’ARLES

A pioneering photo festival held in Arles since 1970. Some exhibits are displayed in historic sites normally closed to the public, including a 12th-century chapel and 19th-century industrial buildings. During the Quinzaine d’Ouverture, July 3-13, photographers are present and evening projections are held in the 1st-century BC Roman theater; exhibits continue throughout the summer. 04.90.96.76.06. website July 3-Sept 19

 

AVIGNON: FESTIVAL D’AVIGNON

Founded in 1947, the world-renowned theater festival in the medieval walled city on the Rhône has grown to include dance, music and art. Major performances in the majestic cour d’honneur of the 14th-century Papal Palace, and freelance performers on street corners all over town. 04.90.14.14.14. website July 7-27

 

BEAUNE: FESTIVAL DE BEAUNE

An increasingly important Baroque opera and music festival in the courtyard of the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune. Highlights this year: Mozart’s Thamos, King of Egypt, Handel’s Alessandro, Lully’s Bellérophon and Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria. 03.80.22.97.20. website July 2-25

 

LA ROCHELLE: FRANCOFOLIES

A festival dedicated to French pop music, launched in 1984 and held in the historic Atlantic port city of La Rochelle. Headliners for 2010 include Alain Souchon and Charlotte Gainsbourg. 05.46.50.55.77. website July 13-17

 

LA ROQUE D’ANTHERON: FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE PIANO

The tiny town of La Roque d’Anthéron in the lower Durance Valley, north of Aix-en-Provence, is little more than a village, but it’s home to the most important piano festival in Europe, if not the world. Mostly classical, with a sprinkling of jazz. 04.42.50.51.15. website July 23-August 22

 

MARCIAC: JAZZ IN MARCIAC

A big, international musical event held in the small southwestern town of Marciac, 80 miles west of Toulouse. Headliners this year include Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall and Chick Corea. 08.92.69.02.77. website July 30-Aug 15

 

MIRANDE: COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Surprising as it may be, a very popular festival of country musique in Mirande, a medieval bastide-a “new town” with a square grid of streets around a central covered market-in southwestern France. Six days of concerts featuring musicians from France, the US, UK and Australia. 08.92.68.30.32. website July 13-18

 

NICE: JAZZ FESTIVAL

This major festival, founded in 1948, celebrates not only jazz in all its diversity but also rock, soul, reggae and more. This year’s roster includes Ornette Coleman and Earth, Wind & Fire. 04.93.19.37.40. website July 17-24

 

ORANGE: LES CHOREGIES

An opera and music festival staged in front of the immense wall of Orange’s 1st-century Roman theater, the most perfectly preserved in the former Roman Empire. On the program for 2010: Puccini’s Tosca and Gounod’s Mireille. 04.90.34.24.24. website July 15-August 7

 

PERPIGNAN: ESTIVALES

An eclectic program of music, dance, film, drama and street theater held a colorful city between the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean and the Spanish border. website July 3-30