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Against the setting of the Riviera and the Mediterranean, Cannes (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) holds a series of spectacular pyrotechnic extravaganzas (Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique) in July and August 2008 with teams from around the world presenting their latest creations with accompanying soundtracks around the themes of legends, a live concert, Rhapsody in Rainbow, Lightning Dance and Franco-Russian history amongst others. Starting at 10pm these promise to be a real feast for the eyes.

From the Esterel mountains to the Pointe Croisette, the bay of Cannes forms a jewel case for great events. Cannes wanted to organize for its citizens, as well as for tourists, an international valued event in the very heart of the summer season, where it could take advantage of both : its magnificent natural scenery and its prestige.

These shows, given from a 300 meters seafront, in the splendid bay of Cannes, gave a surprising dimension to it. The reflection of the fireworks on the water and the acoustic relief, transported the public into a fairy tale world of successive frames.

For more info see www.festival-pyrotechnique-cannes.com

Brittany always seems a bit different to the rest of France, with its strong links to Celtic Cornwall, Wales, Ireland and Scotland - something to do with being on the fringes of a bigger land mass with a strong maritime tradition may have something to do with it.

Your knowledge of French pronunciation will be of little use in trying to articulate some of the place names (e.g. LE RELECQ-KERHUON on this year’s Tour de France route from Brest) - its can be indecipherable as Welsh appears to non-Welsh speakers.

Fortunately Lorient (56 Morbihan, Brittany) is easier to say, and will be the venue for the 2008 Interceltic Fesitval (Festival Interceltique) which runs from 1-10 August 2008.

This year Wales in the “guest of honour” and music and musicians from the Principality will feature throughout the event.

There will be a wealth of folk and traditional music and dancing from across the Celtic world, including the Chieftains, However, do not assume that this is all about folk music - there is rock, bagpipes, Welsh Male Voice Choirs, theatrical presentations (including one about the history of the Canal from Nantes to Brest) masterclasses - all promising to offer entertainment to suit most tastes.

For more info see www.festival-interceltique.com

Lorient is a significant port in southern Brittany with plenty of decent beaches in the area - see www.lorient-tourisme.com ( (A word of warning - the site offers an English language version but this is generated through Google’s translation tool - which often results in some rather strange phrases - so treat it with caution!)

The departement of Gers (32 Midi-Pyrenees) in the heart of Gascony has built a reputation for creating its musical summer festivals – principally the internationally renowned Jazz in Marciac (1–17 August 2008) and Tempo Latino (24–27 July 2008) in Vic Fezensac.

These otherwise quiet small towns vibrate with music, and the streets are filled with people – and the events are also sponsored by the Cotes de St Mont VDQS wine co-operative (Plaimont) just to ensure that the atmosphere is convivial.

AMongst tge artists appearing at Marciac are Diana Krall and Herbie Hancock, whilst Tempo Latino has a latin jazz theme.

The town of Cognac (16 Charente, Poitou-Charentes) becomes an even more attractive place to visit in July 2008 with the Blues Passions Festival (22–27 July 2008).

With more than 120 concerts, 80 of which are free, the range of music on offer is vast - i.e from Status Quo to Joan Baez and most music styles in between which an emphasis on Afro-American music.

For more info on the festival see www.bluespassions.com
The big Cognac houses (Martell, Remy-Martin, Hennesy) all have well-organised trips around their distilleries and tastings of their brandies. However, these are inevitably a bit “touristy” – there are plenty of smaller, family-run estates which also welcome visitors and provide a rather more individualised welcome – e.g Maison Deau at Gemozac, which also has a Botanic Garden to visit!

Every night until 20 September 2008 the stunning Chartes Cathedral (27 Eure, Normandie) and nearly 20 other landmarks in the medieval town will be illuminated from dusk as part of the Chartres en Lumieres  (Lights of Chartres) festival.

Together with themed and co-ordinated music the main facades of the gothic cathedral will be lit, as will some of the streets and the banks and bridges of the Eure river which runs through the town.

The Cathedral is often visible from some distance away in daylight across this rather flat part of southern Normandy, and should look even more impressive at night.

The Cathedral, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site has to be one of the “must see” destinations for any visitor to France. Started in the 12th Century it is considered the best Gothic cathedral in the whole of France.

For more info see www.chartres-tourisme.com 

The South West of France has strong connections with its Spanish neighbours on the other side of the Pyrenees.

These links were strengthened during the Spanish Civil War when many refugees sought sanctuary in the region and were welcomed. The traditions of bull-fighting, music and dance were keenly integrated in different areas. The Basque country traditions naturally span the border on the Atlantic side, but also Catalan and other influences have spread to the east.

Mont-de-Marsan (40 Landes, Aquitaine) holds its Arte Flamenco Festival from 7–12 July 2008.

The elegant city of Montauban gets its streets filled with Jazz for its 5 week long Fesitval de Jazz from 3 July to 9 August 2008 – and there will be other attractions such as the opportunity to taste the wines of the Cotes de Brulhois AC which come from just south of Agen (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) and are red wines based on Tannat, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet and Fer Servadou grapes – a potentially rustic blend which can produce some seriously good reds.

Loches (37 Indre-et-Loire, Centre) south of Tours in the Touraine holds its annual Jazz Festival the weekend of 7-8 June 2008. (see map)

Whilst some of the performances are ticket-only affairs, on Sunday there is an open air concert in the Parc de la Sous-Prefecture from midday where you can have a picnic and taste some of the local wines and cheeses (and listen to a Saxophone trio called “The New Ducks”!).

The local Touraine AC wines are predominently Sauvignon Blanc for the crisp dry whites, and Cabernet Franc or Gamay for the reds. Local cheese include Sainte Maure de Touraine - an aged Goats Milk Cheese.

There is likely to be a lot of music and festivities throughout the town.

For more info see www.petitfaucheux.fr (in French)