From Wheels and Waves in Biarritz to the Highland Games in Bressuire, twelve events span New Aquitaine this weekend: custom motorcycles, ceramics, theatre, Afro-Caribbean culture and street arts.
The weekend of June 13-14 sees New Aquitaine pulling in strikingly different directions — and that contrast is exactly its appeal. On the Atlantic coast, Wheels and Waves turns the Biarritz seafront into a playground for custom bikes, surfers and artists. In Brive-la-Gaillarde, the Summa Festival wraps three days of Afro-Caribbean culture in the Parc des Perrières.
Whether you are drawn to motorcycles, theatre or ceramics, the region has something to offer this weekend. To the east, Limoges's Fête des Ponts brings out its popular dance and bathtub races on the banks of the Vienne. From the Corrèze to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, from the Deux-Sèvres to the Gironde, here is our selection.
Wheels and Waves (64): the Basque Coast at the hour of custom motorcycles and surf
From Wednesday June 10 to Sunday June 14, Wheels and Waves takes over the beach and streets of Biarritz for its twelfth edition. Founded in 2012, this multidisciplinary festival has become a world reference for motorcycle, surf, skate, art and music culture. This weekend's highlights include the Punk's Peak Sprint Race on the hillsides above the Basque Coast, surf competitions, exhibitions of one-of-a-kind custom motorcycles, concerts and parades.
The festival village on Avenue de la Plage hosts craftspeople, illustrators, tattoo artists and designers from across Europe. A radically free spirit in one of the finest seaside settings in France. The final weekend means the densest programme of the entire event.
Summa Festival in Brive-la-Gaillarde (19): three days of Afro-Caribbean culture
From Friday June 12 to Sunday June 14, the Summa Festival brings tropical colours to the Parc des Perrières in Brive-la-Gaillarde. Run by the Afro19 association, the event offers outdoor concerts, dance, food and entertainment rooted in Caribbean, African and Brazilian musical scenes, with both international artists and emerging talents.
Dance workshops and a young audience area round out the programme. Accessible park setting, colourful and family-friendly atmosphere. Sunday typically concentrates the highlights in the late afternoon. A gathering that grows in profile every year in the Corrèze.
Fête des Ponts in Limoges (87): Saint John's bonfire and open-air dancing on the banks of the Vienne
From Friday June 12 to Sunday June 14, the Fête des Ponts animates the Quai Louis-Goujaud in Limoges for its 120th edition. Born in 1906 in the working-class Ponticauds district, it is the great popular celebration of the Limousin capital — one that crosses generations without losing any of its authenticity.
This weekend: a Saint John's bonfire, fireworks, open-air dancing, bathtub races on the Vienne, jet-ski baptisms, a funfair and a night trail around the Pont Saint-Étienne. Entry to outdoor activities is free. Saturday evening concentrates the most spectacular moments, with fireworks launched from the riverbanks.
ODP Talence Festival (33): solidarity concerts in the Parc Peixotto
From Thursday June 11 to Sunday June 14, the ODP Talence Festival brings pop, rock and variety to the Parc Peixotto, on the university campus of Talence at the gates of Bordeaux. Created in aid of the Orphelins des Sapeurs-Pompiers de France, it blends solidarity and popular celebration, with nationally-known artists on stage each evening.
The leafy park setting and easy access from Bordeaux make it a popular draw for students and families from the south of the metropolitan area. This weekend is the event's high point. Reasonable ticket prices, festival village activities during the day, concerts after dark.
Bergerac en Scène (24): theatre takes over the historic centre
From Friday June 12 to Sunday June 14, Bergerac en Scène sets up its stages throughout Bergerac's historic centre and on Place de la Mirpe. Run by the City of Bergerac since 2022, this theatre festival packs three days with dozens of productions spanning classical theatre, contemporary drama, improv, forum theatre and immersive formats.
Saturday mornings feature free street shows and walkabout performances in the old-town lanes. A day or weekend pass covers the indoor productions. The combination of Bergerac's architectural heritage and the festival's breadth of theatrical forms gives the event a distinctive character — and it is still very much on the rise.
Animasia in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles (33): Asian pop culture in the Gironde
On Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14, Animasia opens its doors at the Carré des Jalles, Place de la République, in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, about fifteen kilometres from Bordeaux. This free festival dedicated to Asian cultures and pop culture brings together martial arts, cosplay, K-pop, video games, exhibitions, manga and Asian street food in a single festive space.
Run each year by local associations, Animasia draws thousands of fans of Japanese, Korean and broader pan-Asian culture in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. Free entry — ideal for a family outing or an afternoon out with friends on Saturday.
Highland Games of Bressuire (79): caber tossing and Scottish games at the medieval castle
On Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14, the Highland Games of Bressuire bring athletes and spectators to the foot of Bressuire's castle ramparts. Run since 2003 by the AJEF, they have grown into the largest gathering of Scottish strength sports in France. Caber toss, hammer, weight and tug-of-war contests, along with bagpipe competitions, make up a spectacular programme drawing competitors from a dozen countries.
Around the events: a medieval market, traditional dance displays, Scottish food stands and a convivial festival village. A sporting and festive event without equal in the region, enhanced by the striking backdrop of the medieval fortifications.
Festival Céramique en Fête in Sadirac (33): 40 European ceramicists under the market hall
On Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14, Festival Céramique en Fête holds its 38th edition under the Halle André Lapaillerie, Place Fouragnan, in Sadirac, Gironde. This international gathering has brought together more than 40 ceramicists from across Europe since 1988, in a market-exhibition where contemporary creation meets the oldest craft traditions.
Stoneware, porcelain, earthenware, raku and sigillated wares sit side by side in an artisan-village atmosphere. Introductory workshops for children, conversations with the artists and opportunities to buy directly from the makers. One of the very few contemporary ceramics festivals of this scale in New Aquitaine, with easy access from Bordeaux.
Artjoyette in Saint-Varent (79): living arts and street performance in the Thouarsais
On Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14, the Artjoyette festival turns Saint-Varent and its surroundings into an open-air stage. Created in 2002, this living arts and street performance event brings together around fifteen professional companies in the streets, squares and natural spaces of the village and the Thouarsais region.
Theatre, circus, dance, street music and puppetry follow one another across the two days. Most shows are free and open to all, in the spirit of a popular celebration rooted in the rural landscape. A festival that has built a loyal local audience while remaining genuinely welcoming to visitors passing through the Deux-Sèvres.
Festival BD Pyrénées in Billère (64): signings and live-drawing battles on the edge of Pau
On Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14, Festival BD Pyrénées brings together more than twenty comic book authors and illustrators at the Halle de Billère, on the outskirts of Pau. Run since 2010 by the Pichenettes association, this free festival offers signing sessions, exhibitions, talks, live-drawing battles and activities for younger visitors.
The line-up mixes established authors with emerging artists, in an accessible and convivial atmosphere. Free entry, open to all ages. A fine way to discover comic book creators well outside the major commercial circuits.
Brantomobile in Brantôme-en-Périgord (24): hundreds of pre-1980 vehicles in the Venice of the Périgord
On Saturday June 13, Brantomobile fills the car parks and streets of Brantôme-en-Périgord town centre for its third edition. The festival gathers hundreds of pre-1980 collectors' vehicles — exceptional cars, motorcycles and tractors — displayed in the abbey town often called the Venice of the Périgord.
A morning discovery route through the surrounding villages, then a static display through the afternoon, all in a convivial and passionate atmosphere. Free entry, food available on site. A young event, born in 2024, that already draws an impressive roll call of collectors from across the Périgord.
Worth a mention too
- Festilac in Lourenties (64): open-air music festival on the shores of Lac du Gabas, featuring more than 150 musicians from regional music schools, from Friday June 13 to Sunday June 15, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
- Monflanquin Festival of Arts and Heritage (47): two days of pop-up galleries in the medieval bastide of Monflanquin, with professional and local artists, on June 13 and 14.
To explore other regions or find more ideas this weekend, head to our full weekend agenda. Enjoy your New Aquitaine trip.
