Mary AnneMay is such a lovely month and still relatively quiet so you can see the sights at your own pace before the crowds arrive. The weather is good and the parks and gardens have woken up and are blossoming. Look out for these major events in France in May 2026.
To May 11, 2026: Foire de Paris. The annual Paris Fair has around 400,000 visitors and 1,250 exhibitors. Held at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, it’s the place for a huge shopping binge for your house, garden crafts, second hand clothes and more…and don’t forget the entertainment.
To Sep 20, 2026: Normandy Impressionist Festival celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Impressionists. Around 150 to 200 events are organised in the main cities celebrating the art: Rouen, Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Giverny, Honfleur, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Fécamp and Saint Lô and in other smaller towns. Events are still being confirmed which I will add as they appear.
This year, Normandy and Paris commemorate the death of Claude Monet in 1926. More details later.
More about Normandy and Impressionism
Normandy and Impressionism
Guide to Impressionist Painters
To Nov 1, 2026: Giverny, Claude Monet’s house and garden open for the season. A visit is a must on most people’s itinerary and this year with so many great events in Normandy it will be busier than ever.
To Nov 1, 2026: International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire Château in the Loire Valley is a fabulous, huge Festival, equivalent to (and bigger than) the Chelsea Flower Show in London. The Château and its grounds are lovely and the festival of a series of gardens from international designers always delivers inspirational sights. This year’s theme pays tribute to cinema.
To Jan 2027: Chartres en lumières (Chartres Illuminated). The first night of this great festival starts with a 10km-long walk which you can join. This was the first city to light up its glorious buildings every night and it’s still one of the best light shows in France. Wander the streets to see monks walking, the theatre resplendent and the cathedral turned into the story of its past.
Events in France starting in May 2026
May 1, 2026: Labour Day (Fête du Travail or Fête du Premier Mais). As with other French public holidays, some attractions and museums will close. (For all French public holidays, see the link at the end of the article).
May 1, 2026: La Louche d’Or. The Golden Ladle Festival celebrates soup – over 100 different varieties in Lille, Nord. Streets and squares are full of stalls with their offerings. And there’s also a special Le Ptit Bouillon in the Square Ghesquière for children, with special events, music and of course…soup.
May 1-3, 2026: Fiera di u Casgiu. This fabulous cheese fair in Venacu, Corsica, offers great cheeses and a competition to find the best cheese on the island.
May 8, 2026: VE (Victory in Europe) Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945 or Jour de la Liberation) Like all public holidays in France, public offices and banks are closed, but you’ll find attractions and shops open. Many cities also hold parades.
May 8-10, 2026: The French Motorcycle Grand Prix takes place every year in Le Mans on the main racetrack. It’s an important event with around 100,000 people coming to the Bugatti circuit. You can see the race on giant screens. There’s entertainment including concerts, and a shopping village where you can buy all that gear. On Saturday evening there’s a special motor show where you can see and hear the riders talking about the sport and the race on stage.
If you’re in Le Mans, check out the fabulous 24-Hours of Le Mans car and motor bike museum. There’s plenty to see.
Here’s a general guide to Le Mans, a Tale of Two Cities: what to see and do, where to stay, eat and more. What surprised me (and many first-time visitors to Le Mans) is the beautifully preserved, and extensive, mediaeval quarter at the heart of the city. Guide to Plantagenet Le Mans.
8-10 May, 2026: Expo Rose. The annual Rose exhibition held in Grasse is a wonderful, fragrant event. Over 25,000 cut roses fill the streets, fountains, squares and gardens, turning the city into a garden.
May 10, 2026: Fete de la Fraise in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne celebrates strawberries with a huge variety of cakes to try. And…the biggest strawberry tart in the world which is made specially for this festival, which you can have a slice of.
May 12-23, 2026: Cannes Film Festival. The most famous film festival in the world is a glittering occasion on the Cote d’Azur. Prizes include the best film, best director, best actor, best actress, Jury Prize, Grand Prix and the famous Palme D’Or. The main screenings take place on the Boulevard de la Croisette, in the Festival and Conference Centre. It’s for professionals but many go to Cannes to catch sight of their favourites. And the outdoor Beach cinema is open to all and shows a different film every night.
May 8-16, 2026: Jazz Sous les Pommiers (Jazz under the Apple Trees). This well-established, important jazz festival is held at Coutances, in Normandy. Established and up-and-coming artists take part; there are performances in the streets and more. It’s spread over 7 stages including one for amateur musicians and it ranges from New Orleans jazz to electronic music.
May 13-17, 2026: Nuits Sonores is an urban-oriented electronic music festival in Lyon. The innovative and exciting programme welcomes performers from around the world. It takes place in museums, disused factories, a theatre and the city hall. And along with the music come contemporary art, exhibitions, films and more.
May 14, 2026: Ascension Day when public offices and banks are shut, but many attractions and shops stay open.
May 16-17, 2026: Coutellia is an extraordinary knife-makers event that attracts exhibitors from all over the world. It takes place in Thiers, one of the great knife-making centres in the Auvergne. There’s more about Thiers and Coutellia on MechTraveller’s excellent website.
May 16-17, 2026: The Sedan Medieval Festival takes over one of Europe’s greatest fortified castle. Make your way among camps, shows, workshops, children’s play areas, re-enactments of daily life and a medieval market with over one hundred stalls. Walk past the street musicians and watch the street theatre. On Saturday there’s a grand procession, followed by a show with 400 other costumed participants.
And you can stay here, in the 4-star hotel within the fort.
May 18-Jun 7, 2026: Roland Garros in Paris is one of the 4 major world Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It began in 1925 and today takes place on 20 clay courts. Each match is five sets with no deciding game in the last set.
There are two major awards: the Musketeers’ Cup for men and the Suzanne Lenglen cup for women. The womens’ cup is named after the great tennis player who (among other things) was one of the early famous women wearing a bra invented in 1889 by Herminie Cadolle. There are also trophies for the winners of the men’s doubles, ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles.
May 21–24, 2026: Taste of Paris. Taking place at the Grand Palais, this is a great festival for gourmets. Top chefs serve signature dishes in small portions to sample. There’s also a gourmet market, tastings and demonstrations.
May 23, 2026: European Museum Night. Taking place throughout Europe, over 1,200 French museums open their doors, most free from 6pm to midnight. There are often special events from storytelling tours to screenings and fireworks. There’s a specially intriguing one for me: a night walk and exploration of the Museum of the Battle of Gergovie when the Gauls overcame the Romans. The Auvergne is my region of France, though sadly I won’t be at my house on this occasion.
May 23-25, 2026: Gypsy pilgrimage to Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. Romany community from around Europe gather to venerate their Saint Sara-la-Kali (Sara the Black) who guards the Romanies where ever they live. The remains of Saint Sara are said to be in the crypt under the church in the town. Religious ceremonies honour the saint; children are baptized; there’s music, parades and celebrations. Why here? A boat with the two Biblical Marys and Sara on board was cast out of Palestine and drifted across the Mediterranean to land in the Rhône estuary.
May 28-Jul 25, 2026: Les Nuits de Fourvière in the Gallo-Roman theatres of Lyon is a magical feast of theatre, music, dance, opera and circus. Around 60 performances are watched by over 130,000 spectators.
May 28-Jun 23, 2026: Saint-Denis Festival is a superb festival in the great basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris and other buildings in the arrondissement. Classical music concerts from French and international orchestras range from the classics to contemporary. Some concerts are broadcast on a giant screen in front of the basilica and there are plenty of events for children as well. It’s not every day so check the website for dates and times.
May 30-31, 2026: Joan of Arc Festival (Fêtes Johanniques) in Reims, Champagne. Joan of Arc persuaded the dauphin Charles to be crowned in Reims cathedral on July 17, 1429. The Festival celebrates the event with a huge medieval fair, culminating in a historical re-enactment of them arriving in Reims. But there’s much more – a medieval village with craftspeople, minstrels and jugglers in the streets and everyone in period costume. Or watch a falconry display, wool-spinning and stone-cutting workshops.
May 30-Jun 30, 2026: D-Day Commemorated. The official events begin on Jun 1st, but there are many events starting the day before. Check out the local tourist office. Events around Caen run from June 1st to 14th, 2026.
Read the D-Day Landing Beach Tour from Utah to Sword
For accommodation near the D-Day Landing Beaches, check my article here.
May 31–Jun 6, 2026: CIC Normandy Channel Race starts in Caen on Sunday May 25 though the yachts gather from May 23. The 1000 mile race goes to the Fastnet Rock and back.
Events in France in 2026
Have I missed an event you think I should include? Please do let me know.
Events in France in January 2026
Events in France in February 2026
Events in France in March 2026
Events in France in April 2026
I am updating the events in France in 2026 but have left 2025 events as many of France’s major events occur each year, usually at the same time of the month.
Events in France in May 2025
Events in France in June 2025
Events in France in July 2025
Events in France in August 2025
Events in France in September 2025
Events in France in October 2025
Events in France in November 2025
Events in France in December 2025
More about great Food Festivals in France
Public holidays in France
Here’s a quick guide to the French regions and departments to help you find where the events are taking place.
Regions of France
French Departments
