Cannes Film Festival, Sedan Medieval Festival, Jazz sous les Pommiers, Vendée Va'a, Nuits Sonores, Defi Wind: 12 cross-regional picks for the Ascension long weekend 2026.
The Ascension long weekend is probably the busiest stretch of the year for festivals across France. Over 400 active events between Friday and Sunday, from the world's largest film festival on the Croisette to the 40,000 visitors at the Sedan fortress, from Polynesian outriggers in Les Sables-d'Olonne to 1,500 windsurfers in Gruissan. Out of that mass, here are 12 picks that best sum up France this May 15-17, 2026: international headliners, regional gems, terroir gastronomy and living heritage. One per region, save one exception. Our pick this week: the closing night of Jazz sous les Pommiers in Coutances on Saturday May 16 — one of the country's top-three jazz festivals wraps its 44th edition.
Cannes Film Festival, world cinema on the Croisette (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)
The 79th Cannes Film Festival runs in full swing until May 24. This Ascension weekend is the beating heart of the event: daily red carpets in front of the Palais des Festivals, official competition screenings, Un Certain Regard, parallel Directors' Fortnight. Even without an accreditation, the Croisette stays accessible: the Palais beach, the Steps photographable from a distance, the Carlton and Martinez terraces form a continuous spectacle. The only French event with planetary reach still active this weekend.
Sedan Medieval Festival, at Europe's largest fortress (Grand Est)
On May 16 and 17, the Sedan Medieval Festival takes over the 35,000 m² of Europe's largest fortress. Over 100 artisans, troubadours, knights and medieval companies recreate life in the Ardennes stronghold: armoured combat, equestrian jousts, craft demonstrations, medieval market, evening pyrotechnics. Since 1998 the event has drawn 40,000 visitors over a single weekend. One of France's most spectacular reenactments — a once-in-a-lifetime visit for living heritage lovers.
Jazz sous les Pommiers in Coutances, France's top-three jazz festival (Normandy)
From May 8 to 16, Jazz sous les Pommiers closes its 44th edition in Coutances. Founded in 1982, this festival is today one of France's three largest jazz events by attendance. The 2026 programme stays true to the house spirit: openness to improvised music, support for young talents and major international figures in intimate venues across the historic centre. The May 16 closing night promises an intense finale — our national pick of the week.
Vendée Va'a in Les Sables-d'Olonne, the Pacific on the Atlantic (Pays de la Loire)
From May 13 to 17, the Vendée Va'a brings together top international Tahitian outrigger crews in Les Sables-d'Olonne for a legendary open-sea race. Europe's only event of its kind: a cultural village on the seafront, Tahitian dance shows, live concerts and over fifty events celebrating Polynesian culture. Four days of Pacific atmosphere on the Atlantic coast — a spectacular format few know outside the sailing world.
Versailles Electro, French Touch at the Château (Île-de-France)
On Saturday May 16, Versailles Electro turns the Place d'Armes of Versailles into one of Europe's most unexpected dancefloors. At the foot of the Hall of Mirrors, DJ sets, electronic music and fireworks unfold in an unrivalled heritage setting. Launched in 2021, this annual one-night event has hosted Bob Sinclar and several French Touch headliners. A genuinely one-of-a-kind format — at the crossroads of an electro festival and a historic celebration. Worth seeing once in a lifetime.
Nuits Sonores in Lyon, European electronic music at its peak (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
From May 13 to 17, Nuits Sonores holds its 23rd edition in Lyon. One of three or four major European gatherings for serious electronic music. Sharp yet eclectic programming (techno, ambient, drone, club), offbeat venues scattered across the city (former Confluence factories, abandoned industrial sites, inner courtyards), a daytime kids' programme called Mini Sonore. The Sunday May 17 closing promises a historic last night — essential for fans of electronic music broadly defined.
Defi Wind in Gruissan, the windsurf Woodstock (Occitanie)
From May 14 to 17, the Defi Wind gathers more than 1,500 windsurfers from around the world on Gruissan's Chalets beach. A unique race, nicknamed "the Woodstock of windsurfing", it offers a 40 km regatta along the Aude coast, open to amateurs and world champions alike. Guaranteed visual spectacle from the beach, easygoing village atmosphere, evening concerts — a sports event with no Mediterranean equivalent.
Grand Pardon of Saint-Yves in Tréguier (Brittany)
On Sunday May 17, the Grand Pardon of Saint-Yves holds its annual day in Tréguier. The most important Breton pardon still alive: pontifical high mass at Saint-Tugdual cathedral, then a solemn procession through the cathedral city, carrying the relics of the patron saint of the Bretons and of lawyers to Minihy-Tréguier. A rare moment of spiritual and cultural density, somewhere between medieval liturgy and popular folklore. Open to all, regardless of faith — one of France's last great living pilgrimages.
Carmen — Open-air Opera in Nogent-le-Rotrou (Centre-Val de Loire)
On May 16 at 9 pm, Nogent-le-Rotrou's Saint-Jean castle hosts a performance of Carmen as part of the Carmen — Open-air Opera tour. Founded in 1991, this travelling production brings together 70 singers, dancers and musicians before the façades of French castles and abbeys. The format is uncompromising: full opera in costume, professional sound and lighting, 1,500-seat tiered stands. An ideal way into opera for newcomers — and a sumptuous medieval setting for regulars.
Festival du Vent in Talmont-sur-Gironde, kites over the estuary (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
On May 16 and 17, the Festival du Vent takes over the cliff and beach of Talmont-sur-Gironde, one of France's Most Beautiful Villages. Giant kites, colourful sails, acrobatic flying demonstrations and a collective launch at sunset over the Gironde estuary: this is one of the most photogenic aerial gatherings of the French spring. Romanesque Sainte-Radegonde church perched on the cliff, estuary skies, Atlantic wind — a rare setting for a free, all-ages format.
Grand Morvan Gourmet Days in Saulieu (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)
From May 14 to 17, the Grand Morvan Gourmet Days gather more than 250 exhibitors in Saulieu for four days of terroir gastronomy. Morvan producers, Burgundy winemakers, cheesemakers, charcutiers, demonstrations by starred chefs, table d'hôtes, comparative tastings: one of the great gourmet gatherings of the French spring, and one of the most authentic. Saulieu is Bernard Loiseau's hometown — the gastronomic DNA here is not marketing, it's deep-rooted reality.
Roubaix Art Night, contemporary art open until 2 am (Hauts-de-France)
On Saturday May 16, Roubaix Art Night opens more than 80 contemporary art venues across the city for free until 2 am: artists' studios, galleries, La Piscine museum, La Condition Publique, La Manufacture, industrial wastelands turned cultural sites. Performances, concerts, video projections, food trucks in the streets — the event that best embodies Roubaix's cultural turn, now one of the most active artistic labs in northern Europe. Addictive format, best explored on foot or by bike.
Also worth a look this weekend across France
- The Foire du Trône in Paris (France's oldest fairground, born in 957) is in full swing on the Pelouse de Reuilly until May 25.
- The Andaines Flea Market in the Orne deploys 2,200 stallholders across 2.5 km on May 16-17 — one of the country's biggest flea markets.
- The Cadre Noir de Saumur Galas (UNESCO-listed) continue at Terrefort all weekend.
For region-by-region details — Brittany, Île-de-France, Normandy, Grand Est, Pays de la Loire, Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Hauts-de-France, Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Nouvelle-Aquitaine — head to our national weekend agenda. Enjoy the Ascension long weekend.
