From the Japan Tours Festival to jazz beneath the Château de Cheverny, twelve outings for the first July weekend across Centre-Val de Loire.
The first weekend of July truly kicks off the cultural summer in Centre-Val de Loire. On July 4 and 5, the region pulls out all the stops. Manga and cosplay take over Tours. Jazz rings out in front of the Château de Cheverny. Romantic piano fills George Sand's estate. And medieval towns replay their past between Beauce and Berry.
Manga, jazz or a medieval fair: what should you pick this weekend? Our favourite is L'Embrayage, a free street-arts festival that returns only every other year in Saint-Jean-de-Braye. From big crowd-pullers to village gems, here are twelve outings to fill the weekend, from Tours cosplay to a textile-arts fair.
Japan Tours Festival in Tours (37): three days of Japanese pop culture
Our headliner of the weekend. From July 3 to 5, the Japan Tours Festival takes over the Tours exhibition centre on Avenue Camille Chautemps. Created in 2015, it is the largest event devoted to Japanese culture in Centre-Val de Loire. More than 26,000 visitors are expected over three days.
The line-up sweeps across the whole Japanese and geek universe, such as manga, cosplay, martial arts, e-sport and gaming. Cosplay contests, prestigious guests and concerts pace these days. Young and old quickly get swept up in the fun. A spectacular yet easy-going gathering for anyone who loves costumed wandering.
Jazzin' Cheverny in Cheverny (41): jazz at the foot of the château
The weekend's second heavyweight, Jazzin' Cheverny runs from July 2 to 4 in front of the façade of the Château de Cheverny, in Loir-et-Cher. Founded in 1998 by Luc Stampers, it ranks among the ten biggest jazz festivals in France. Expect around 4,000 spectators each evening and close to 15,000 festival-goers across the edition.
The stage set facing the monument offers a backdrop few festivals can claim, especially at dusk. To catch it, aim for the Saturday evening, the final day of this edition. A safe bet for fans of great voices and brass at twilight.
Nohant Chopin Festival in Nohant-Vic (36): romantic piano at George Sand's home
The Nohant Chopin Festival is in full swing this weekend in George Sand's estate, in the heart of Berry. Founded in 1966, it ranks among the most respected classical music events in France. It is devoted entirely to Frédéric Chopin and the romantic piano repertoire.
The festival keeps alive the memory of the Polish composer's stays with the novelist, between 1839 and 1846. The setting stays intimate, far from big concert halls. The greatest international pianists take turns here, often just a few metres from the audience, through July 22. It's the hushed counterpoint to an otherwise very festive weekend.
Generali Open de France in Lamotte-Beuvron (41): France's largest equestrian gathering
On the sporting side, the Generali Open de France opens on July 4 at the Parc Équestre Fédéral in Lamotte-Beuvron, in the Sologne. The event runs through July 26. Organised by the French Equestrian Federation, it is the largest equestrian gathering in the country.
Across 400 hectares, the site first hosts the French Pony championships, then the Club championships. Thousands of riders come from all over France and overseas. More than twenty disciplines are represented, such as dressage and show jumping. The sporting-village atmosphere is free for the public. It's an ideal family outing to discover the world of horses.
Les Médiévales Dunoises in Châteaudun (28): the great medieval fair below the château
From July 3 to 5, the historic centre of Châteaudun turns back the clock with Les Médiévales Dunoises. This free medieval fair is run by the town at the foot of the château. It is the heir to the Foire aux Laines, a royal wool fair instituted in the 18th century in reference to the wool trade of the Beauce flocks.
Encampments, craftspeople, a market, entertainment and shows carry visitors back to the Middle Ages. You wander through the cobbled streets of the old town. It's a fine way to discover Eure-et-Loir differently, with the family and ticket-free.
Avoine Zone Groove in Avoine (37): funk, soul and groove in the open air
From July 3 to 5, Avoine Zone Groove sets the town of Avoine, in Indre-et-Loire, humming. On the menu: funk, soul and groove. Created in 2000 by the town, the festival has grown from 300 spectators in the village hall to a major three-day event.
Its line-up blends international artists with the French scene, in a danceable, friendly atmosphere. Fancy moving all weekend to warm rhythms? This is the perfect outing, off the beaten track of the Loire Valley. A generous celebration carried by a team loyal to its audience.
Marchés Gourmands du Berry in Châteauroux (36): gastronomy in the open air
For food lovers, the Marchés Gourmands du Berry take over the Parc Balsan in Châteauroux and several towns of the metropolitan area through July 24. From late June to late July, around twenty producers and food artisans from the Indre serve up their Berry specialities at open-air evenings.
On offer are dishes such as spit-roasted ham, beef and lamb burgers, saffron crêpes, fried Brenne carp and artisan ice creams. You sit down informally to dine in the open air. It's the weekend's convivial date, at gentle prices and with the family.
Medieval Festival of Mehun-sur-Yèvre (18): the castle of Duke Jean de Berry comes alive
On July 4 and 5, the Château de Mehun-sur-Yèvre, in the Cher, relives its medieval past. On the Place du Général Leclerc and around the fortress ruins, the Medieval Festival of Mehun-sur-Yèvre unfolds music, dancing, craftspeople and a medieval tavern. Add to that reconstructed encampments, equestrian shows and activities for the whole family.
Young and old travel back to the time of Duke Jean de Berry, the great 14th-century patron. He made Mehun one of his favourite residences. It's one of the most immersive festivals in southern Berry, to enjoy while strolling between the stalls.
Festival du Thé Vert in Nogent-le-Rotrou (28): two free nights at the Théâtre de Verdure
On July 3 and 4, the Festival du Thé Vert sets up at the open-air Théâtre de Verdure in Nogent-le-Rotrou, in the Perche. Created in 2008 by the La Théière association, this free event takes place every first weekend of July. Some fifteen artists take the stage over two days.
The programming stays eclectic, with styles such as pop, rock, electro, hip-hop, soul and reggae. The mood is relaxed, run by passionate volunteers. The festival bets on conviviality rather than big headliners. It's our Perche gem of the weekend, perfect for a laid-back summer evening without spending a cent.
Berry Brod'Laines in Ardentes (36): the textile-arts fair
On July 4 and 5, the Salle Agora in Ardentes, near Châteauroux, hosts Berry Brod'Laines. This fair is devoted to wool, embroidery, knitting and textile arts. Held every first weekend of July, it brings together some thirty professional exhibitors.
You'll find natural or hand-dyed wools, knitting and crochet accessories, kits, embroidery charts and all kinds of supplies. Demonstrations and exchanges with the makers round out the visit. It's an original gem for fans of creative crafts and artisanal know-how.
L'Embrayage in Saint-Jean-de-Braye (45): street arts every other year
Our favourite. On Saturday July 4, L'Embrayage takes over the Parc des Longues Allées, twelve hectares of greenery along the Loire in Saint-Jean-de-Braye, on the edge of Orléans. Created in 2017 by the town, this biennial, participatory, eco-friendly and entirely free festival is devoted to street arts.
Only every two years, around forty shows unfold continuously across six performance areas: street theatre, circus, dance and open-air performances. The rarity of the event and its free access make it a highlight of the Loire summer. Make the most of it this year: you'll have to wait until 2028 for the next edition.
Les Courants in Amboise (37): contemporary music and comics by the Loire
On July 4 and 5, Les Courants enlivens the Loire Valley between Amboise and Montlouis-sur-Loire. Born in the early 2000s, this multidisciplinary festival blends contemporary music, comics, visual arts and activities.
On the bill: a weekend of rock, punk, reggae and chanson concerts. Add to that meetings with comic-book authors, exhibitions and creative workshops. This rare marriage of the music scene and the ninth art gives the festival an identity all its own, human-scale. It's the all-round date of the weekend for families and image lovers, in one of the loveliest landscapes of the Loire Valley.
Where else to head out in France this weekend?
Want to look beyond the region? To explore what's on in other areas this weekend, head to our full weekend agenda. You'll find more ideas for festivals, concerts and celebrations all across France. Enjoy your escapes in Centre-Val de Loire.
