What To Do in France in February

Love, lemons and lilacs are in the air this month! From colourful flower festivals, to wine and agricultural fairs, there’s plenty to do in that crisp, sunny February weather. Here is France Today’s selection of events to attend in February 2024.

Of course it’s carnival month and France is particularly fond of street parades complete with floats, costumes and confetti!

Percée du Vin Jaune, Lons-le-Saunier – February 2-4

La Percée du Vin Jaune is a wine festival which takes place over two days in February in the Jura to celebrate vin jaune, a white wine aged in oak barrels which have undergone fermentation. The objective of the event is to introduce and appreciate this wine, renowned for keeping almost indefinitely. There are four appellations: Château-Chalon (AOC), Arbois (AOC), l’Étoile (AOC) and Côtes-du-Jura.

Short film festival, Clermont-Ferrand – February 2-10

The International Short Film Festival was born in 1979 within a student film club in Clermont-Ferrand. It has since become the largest global event dedicated to short films. With 13 theaters, more than 3,000 accredited professionals and 150,000 entries, Clermont-Ferrand is also, in terms of attendance, the second French film festival after Cannes

 

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Strasbourg mon Amour – February 9-18

For ten days in February, Strasbourg becomes the capital of romance with exclusive concerts, literary happenings, exhibitions, guided tours and gourmet feasts all centred around the Café des Amours under a giant marquee in Place Kléber leading up to Valentine’s Day.

Ancient Egypt at the Atelier des Lumières, Paris – February 9 – January 5, 2025

The Atelier des Lumières, in Paris’ 11th arrondissement, lets us walk in the footsteps of French scientists during the Egyptian Campaign of 1798 through immersive digital animation and sound projections.

Floral Mandelieu, February 14–18

The Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu has been a winter highlight on the French Riviera since the 1930s, with flower parades, concerts and light shows. The theme for 2024 is the Olympic Games, of course!

Lemon Festival, Menton – February 17 – March 3

More than 200,000 visitors flock to Menton every year for the Fête du Citron – two weeks of parades, craft fairs, music, food and entertainment against the stunning backdrop of la grande bleue.

 

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Board game festival, Cannes – February 23-25

Whether you come alone, with family or with friends, whether you are a passionate player or simply curious, discover all the gaming worlds at the heart of the largest French-speaking board game event at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes. Traditional games and great classics, board games, video games, simulation games, collectible cards… there is something for all ages and tastes! Among the hundreds of freely accessible board games, discover the “Ace d’Or-Game of the Year” selection, and come meet the authors, illustrators and publishers of your favorite games around demonstrations, signings and tournaments.

 

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The Agricultural Fair, Paris – February 24 – March 3

In its 60th year, the International Agricultural Show is the biggest event in France dedicated to all things rural. With 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries and 3,000 animals on display, it showcases rural life in all its diversity.

 

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