From the Bélen world music festival at Beaune's Place Carnot to the reggae-fuelled Grand Bastringue in the grounds of Cluny Abbey, eleven picks for the June 13-14 weekend across Burgundy-Franche-Comté.
What's on in Burgundy-Franche-Comté this weekend of June 13 and 14? The line-up is richer than it looks. Our pick goes to Beaune, where the Bélen festival, created by André Manoukian, gathers world voices in a rare Renaissance setting — Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, the Verdure Theatre, Place Carnot. Across the region, Nevers celebrates its royal river with the Fête de la Loire, and Cluny pulses with the solidarity reggae of Le Grand Bastringue. In between, the Jura, the Yonne and the Territoire de Belfort round things off with outdoor sport, exceptional craftsmanship and techno in the forest.
Festival Bélen in Beaune (21): André Manoukian brings world voices together
The Festival Bélen holds its third edition from June 12 to 14 at the historic venues of Beaune. Under the artistic direction of André Manoukian, this world music festival turns Burgundy's wine capital into a living score: the Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, the Parc de la Bouzaize, Place Carnot and the Verdure Theatre host artists from several continents.
Bélen bets on encounters between distant musical traditions — from flamenco to sub-Saharan African music, Gypsy jazz to polyphonic chant — without sacrificing depth for curiosity. Saturday and Sunday hold the most anticipated concerts, in venues where natural acoustics and centuries-old stone are part of the show. For world music fans and everyone else: many street concerts are free throughout the weekend.
Le Grand Bastringue in Cluny (71): solidarity reggae beneath the abbey walls
Since 2006, Le Grand Bastringue has brought more than 8,000 festival-goers to the grounds of Cluny's ancient abbey each mid-June. Born from the initiative of engineering students at the Arts et Métiers school, this reggae and dub festival channels its proceeds into humanitarian projects.
On June 12 and 13, the programme alternates big reggae acts and dub sound systems in a setting few French festivals can match. Saturday night is traditionally the liveliest: bass lines resonate until dawn, metres from the ruins of medieval Christendom's largest church. Camping available; TER train station within ten minutes of the site.
Fête de la Loire in Nevers (58): three days celebrating the royal river
From June 12 to 14, the Quai des Mariniers in Nevers hosts the Fête de la Loire, a popular event celebrating the royal river and its living heritage. Concerts, nautical demonstrations, a local producers' market, family workshops and shows follow one another over three days in a festive riverside atmosphere.
Sunday afternoon is devoted to children's activities and traditional river-boatmen's demonstrations. It's one of the most convivial river festivals in the region, bringing locals and visitors together around a river that too often gets crossed without a second glance. Free admission for most events.
Festival du Clos des Tourelles in Sennecey-le-Grand (71): rock and electro in a historic estate
A brand-new arrival, the Festival du Clos des Tourelles sets up on June 12 and 13 at Sennecey-le-Grand, between Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon. The backdrop is striking: a historic estate nestled among century-old stones, vineyards and extensive gardens. Two themed evenings follow each other — Friday rock/pop with Matmatah and Lilly Wood & The Prick, Saturday electro — in a human-scale format that contrasts nicely with summer mega-events.
Saturday June 13 is the electro night, the centrepiece of the weekend. A cultural bet in a Saône-et-Loire setting worth stopping for, not least because the estate itself is worth a stroll between sets.
Grandes Heures Nature in Besançon (25): outdoor sport takes over Parc Chamars
Grandes Heures Nature wraps up its four days on Sunday June 14 at Parc Chamars in Besançon. This entirely free outdoor festival, created in 2019, offers varied sporting events (ekiden, raids, mountain biking, kayak, paddle, hiking), taster sessions in many sports, gear testing and public events in a natural setting at the heart of the Franche-Comté capital.
The June 13-14 weekend is the highlight: Parc Chamars becomes a sport and nature village, with stands run by sports associations, demonstrations and refreshment stations. An ideal family outing for anyone who wants to try a new sport, cheer on participants or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere along the Doubs.
Festival Les Heures Joyeuses in Cousance (39): jazz and gastronomy in the southern Jura
From June 11 to 15, Festival Les Heures Joyeuses spreads across four sites in the southern Jura: Cousance, Saint-Amour, Maynal and Les Trois Châteaux. This music and gastronomy festival, run by the Association Les Cœurs Joyeux, blends jazz, blues, world music, pop and classical music with food moments designed to showcase local produce.
The June 13-14 weekend is at the heart of the edition, with evening concerts in heritage venues of the Porte du Jura. Its dual musical and culinary angle makes it a singular event in the regional landscape — people come as much for the concerts as for the tables laid among Jura vineyards.
Festi'Longvic in Longvic (21): street arts in the Dijon suburbs
From June 10 to 13, Festi'Longvic takes over the town centre of Longvic, a commune in the Dijon area. Saturday June 13 marks the closing day of this popular music and street arts festival: concerts, street shows, sports and theatre events converge for the finale.
Free and family-friendly, the event is driven by the local media library and neighbourhood associations in a lively community atmosphere. For those visiting Dijon this weekend, Longvic is only a few minutes away by tram — an easy excursion to round off Saturday in a convivial celebration away from the historic centre crowds.
Electro Green Festival in Saint-Fargeau (89): house and techno in the Puisaye forest
On June 12 and 13, the Electro Green Festival takes residence at La Grange de Saint-Fargeau, in the Puisaye-Forterre. This eco-responsible festival, born from an Orléans-based collective, offers three days of house, afro-house and melodic techno in a festive, convivial spirit.
Saturday June 13 holds the edition's peak moments: outdoor dancefloors in the Burgundian forest, with careful attention to environmental commitments — zero plastic, short supply chains, car-sharing encouraged. A still-under-the-radar festival on the rise, for fans of sharp sounds seeking an outstanding natural setting.
Fête de la Pipe in Saint-Claude (39): the world capital of artisanal pipes celebrates
On June 13 and 14, the Fête de la Pipe brings makers, collectors and enthusiasts from around the world to Place Jacques Faizant. Organised by the Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers, this is the only worldwide event entirely devoted to artisanal pipe-making, in the city universally acknowledged as its global capital.
International exhibition hall, demonstrations by briar woodturners, a market for rare raw materials, educational workshops: a cultural and craft experience without equal in Europe. The museum of the pipe and diamond cutting in Saint-Claude rounds the visit off well — the town itself, perched in the high Bienne valley, is worth the journey.
Fête de la Cerise d'Irancy (89): a gourmet Sunday in the Auxerre vineyards
On Sunday June 14, the Fête de la Cerise d'Irancy brings the wine village of Irancy to life on the slopes of the Yonne valley. This village with a dual identity — cherry trees and vines have shared the same hillsides for centuries — celebrates its June fruit harvest at a popular fair gathering locals and visitors around fresh cherries, Irancy AOC wines and local produce.
It's one of the most authentic village festivals in the Yonne, run by local volunteers in a setting of vines and stone that needs no additional décor. Combine it with a walk up the slopes above the valley to understand why Irancy produces the only AOC red of the Auxerrois.
Dell'Ethon in Delle (90): live music on the Swiss border
On June 13 and 14, Dell'Ethon takes over Place François Mitterrand in Delle, a border town in the Territoire de Belfort on the edge of Switzerland and Alsace. This music and live arts festival offers a varied programme mixing concerts, performing arts and popular events in a historically rich town where three cultures meet.
Delle's frontier setting gives it a distinctive atmosphere: festival-goers come from both the French and Swiss sides, and the programme reflects that. For fans of musical discoveries off the beaten track, Dell'Ethon is a fine find in the Territoire de Belfort that deserves wider recognition.
More ideas for the weekend across France? Head to our full weekend festival agenda. Enjoy your time in Burgundy-Franche-Comté.
