The Best Summer Events and Festivals in the Authentic Southwest

Plan your Authentic Southwest stay this summer around one of the region’s magical events and shows.

VINEART IN GASCONY (July 3 – August 8)

Sees 19 estates and wineries of the Côtes de Gascogne transformed into open-air stages for concerts and artistic performances.
www.vins-cotes-gascogne.fr/vineart

LECTOURE’S SUMMER OF PHOTOGRAPHY (July 11 – September 20)

Features the work of eight international artists exploring the beauty of everyday life and the imperceptible, along an artistic route to be explored on foot or by bike.
centre-photo-lectoure.fr/festival

JAZZ IN MARCIAC (July 20 – August 4)

Between the major evening concerts and the free excitement of the Bis festival on the Town Hall square, this iconic jazz festival offers total immersion blending swing, Gascon hospitality and exceptional artistic encounters.
www.jazzinmarciac.com/programmation-par-date

At the MEDIEVAL BANQUET AND SHOW

At Bonaguil Castle (July 19) you will be guest of honour chez Lord Bérenger de Roquefeuil, builder of Bonaguil Castle. Discover the art of medieval banquets with a five-course meal, accompanied by troubadours.
www.chateau-bonaguil.com

MONFLANQUIN’S BAROQUE EVENINGS (July 18–31)

Focuses its 25th edition on the discovery of musical instruments. Highlights include the church hosting ‘Splendeurs Baroques’ (July 30–31), a sound and light concert set to the rhythm of the orchestra; and an evening at the Château de Roquefère (July 24) featuring the Sacqueboutae ensemble.
www.soireesbaroques-monanquin.fr

THE CRADLE OF THE WATER LILIES

To mark the centenary of Claude Monet’s death, discover the origins of his monumental work, Les Nymphéas – it was at Le Temple-sur-Lot that the colourful water lilies were created. In the Cabinet de Curiosités at Maison Musée Latour-Marliac, enjoy 13 digitised works by Hokusai, whose birds and setting suns are believed to have directly inspired Monet’s 1874 game-changing painting Impression, Sunrise.
www.tourisme-lotetgaronne.com/lot-et-garonne-centenairemonet

MONTAUBAN EN SCÈNES (June 25–28)

In Montauban’s Jardin des Plantes, some of the biggest names in music from Soprano and M to Nile Rodgers and Gregory Porter will bring the ‘city of Ingres’ to life.
montauban-en-scenes.fr

LES ESTIVALES DU CHAPEAU IN CAUSSADE (July 16–19)

Is a millinery mustsee. The festival sees hat makers from around the world present fashion shows and contests, as well as plenty of other activities.
www.chapeau-caussade.fashion

Famed for its ail blanc (white garlic), Beaumont-de-Lomagne’s

FÊTE DE L’AIL BLANC DE LOMAGNE (July 26)

This year has the theme of ‘GasconyMexico friendship’, and features international competitions, cooking workshops, tasting opportunities, garlic peeling contests and plenty of gourmet events, all with the awesome allium centre stage.
tourisme.malomagne.com 

From France Today Magazine

Lead photo credit : GERS TOURISM COLLECTION/ARNAUD SPÄNI-SYLVIE HANNOYER GERSICOTTI GERSICOTTA; TEDDY VERNEUIL/LEZBROZ; OLIVIER ROSEC, LUDOVIC SANCIAUME