The Water Jousting festival in Sete, France, originated in Sete centuries ago. This sport is now a passionate fixture of Languedoc traditional culture. Water jousting is really one of the most unusual sports from around the world, something that really has to be witnessed to be believed. Watching the Water Jousting has to be top of your list of things to do in Sete, France, this summer.

The South of France has some brilliant festivals that perfectly sum up the relaxed way of life in Southern France. If you are visiting the South of France, then follow our guide to find the best festivals in South France month by month.

It is quite incredible that the Nice Jazz festival was the very first jazz festival in the world. The inaugural Festival de Jazz Nice was held in February 1948, 70 years ago. The 2023 Nice Jazz festival is the 70th Jazz event on the French Riviera and will take place from 17 to 21 July 2023 at the Théatre de Verdure, Place Masséna, Nice. 

Without doubt the greatest festival in Languedoc. Beziers comes alive in spectacular fashion with fireworks, street entertainment and a daily Spanish corrida. There is also an important wine festival in Beziers at the same time as the Feria. So if you are in Languedoc in early August and you want to experience a great Languedoc festival, then the Beziers Ferias is an absolute must see.

Beaucaire, South France, is a pretty little place, with parks situated all along the canal banks. The best time to visit Beaucaire is during the Estivales in July, a large festival reconstructing of the town's historic medieval fair.

MIPTV Cannes 2020 will take place from 30 March to 2 April 2023. MIP TV is a massive TV content marketing show that brings together everybody involved in the TV, film, digital and video industry. It is actually 4 conferences in one: MIP Digital Fronts, MIPDOC, MIPFormats and MIPTV. 

The Fiest'A de Sete is a World music festival in France covering a wide range of musical styles from North Africa and Europe. The dates for the 2017 Fiest'A de Sete have just been announced and it takes place from 22 July to 7 August 2017. Sete has a crowded calendar of festivals in July & August. There is the Worldwide Festival in early July, the Water Jousting festivals towards the end of August and then the Fiest'A de Sete French music festival in late July and early August. 

Le Poulain festival South France, held in the historic town of Pezenasis at the start of Lent in late February or early March, is a great festival to visit. The festival features a symbolic horse (Le Poulain) reputed to represent the favourite foal of the Prince de Conti from the time when Pezenas was the capital of the Languedoc region. Le Poulain is pushed through the old streets of Pezenas (usually by the rugby team of Pezenas) accompanied by a local flute and drum band as well as plenty of beer and pastis.

The Fete de Drac or Dragon festival in Mondragon, South of France, has been taking place for the last 40 years. The origins of the festival is a local old legend of a dragon that appears on the banks of the Rhone river and captures unsuspecting virgins from the village of Mondragon. This festival is always a raucus affair, with plenty of fireworks, fancy dress and general mayhem. 

For lovers of theatre, dance and contemporary art, the Festival d'Avignon remains a major yearly event. The Festival d'Avignon is becoming a major arts event for this beautiful city in South France.

MAPIC Cannes 2023 is the International Retail Property Marketing show held at the Palais de Festivals, Cannes, in November each year. This exhibition and conference for companies specialising in retail development, is held over 3 full days and encompasses over 7,500 participants including exhibitors and keynote industry speakers. 

A huge gypsy fair is held in Les Saintes-maries-de-la-mer every year towards the end of May. This ancient South France festival has a long old history. What makes Les Saintes-maries-de-la-mer standout however has been the succession of pilgrims that have visited it for centuries.

MIPIM Cannes 2023 is the International Real Estate show held at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, in March or April each year. MIPIM 2023 Cannes will be held from 10-13 March 2023. This huge property market exhibition and conference is held over 4 full days and encompasses over 20,000 participants.

The Feria de Pentecost is Nimes' most important festival, held on the fifth weekend after Easter. The Nimes ferias are widely regarded as the most lively festival in South France.

The Worldwide French music festival 2023 will be held from 3 to 11 July 2023. This will be the 15th year that this French music festival has taken place in Sete and it is one of the best French music festivals for modern Jazz, Funk and World Music. The 2023 Worldwide French music festival line up will be announced during early 2023.

For lovers of theatre, dance and contemporary art, the Festival d'Avignon remains a major yearly event. The 70th Festival d'Avignon will take place from 2nd to 31st July 2016. The Festival d'Avignon is becoming a major international event for this beautiful city in South France.

In late June and early July, Montpellier is home to a three week festival of traditional music and danse from around the world. The Montpellier Danse festival takes place in the old Ursuline convent, the Comedie, Le Corum and other venues around the city.

The end of August brings with it the Fig Festival in Nezignan l'Eveque, which you can not miss - well we can't because it is right outside our front door. Featuring all manner of fig related products, as well as handicrafts, organic food and oddballs selling herbal 'digestifs' that look like boiled tea. Nezignan lEveque is famous for its figs. Not an awful lot has happened in Nezignan lEveque, but it is world reknowned for its figs. This tiny little village near Pezenas grows more than 90 different varieties, as well as producing 30% of France's Nougat.

The Feria de Pentecost is Nimes' most important festival, held on the fifth weekend after Easter. The Nimes ferias are widely regarded as the most lively of Languedoc's festivals.

A huge gypsy fair is held in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer every year towards the end of May. This fair has a long old history. The story starts shortly after the Crucifixion of Christ, when many of his disciples were being hunted out of Palestine. One group of disciples boarded a boat, which according to legend had no sail or oars and was guided by God across the Mediterranean to Provence.

Sitting on the edge of the Petite Camargue, the old town of Saint-Gilles is a pleasant place to wander around, with its narrow windy streets. Through the centre of Saint-Gilles runs the Rhone-Sete Canal. The canal-side is now a busy place full of restaurants, shops and bot hire kiosks. The town features a wonderful 12th Century Abbey Church, now a UNESCO World Heritage monument. The biggest festival in Saint-Gilles takes place in mid August, with the Feria de la Peche et de l'Abricot

The biggest festival in Saint-Gilles-du-Gard takes place in mid August, with the annual Feria de la Peche et de l'Abricot (Peach & Apricot Festival), which features street processions, dancing and the obligatory bull-fighting. This 5 day event takes over the whole town, bringing with it a carnival atmosphere to the historic old town in the heart of the Camargue.