From the Marmande plain where Garorock kicks off to the Basque mountains of EHZ, by way of Tulle's accordion, twelve outings for the weekend of June 27-28 in New Aquitaine.
Late June tips New Aquitaine firmly into festival season, and the weekend of June 27-28 raises the stakes: contemporary music on the banks of the Garonne, Basque culture in the hills of the Soule, auteur cinema on the Old Port and a snail fête in the Vienne. Our pick of the week goes to Garorock, the Marmande heavyweight opening its gates this Friday for three days of packed stages. But the region is far more than its headliners: from the Tulle accordion festival to the Basque songs of EHZ, here are twelve dates, from the Charente coast to the Millevaches plateau.
Garorock in Marmande (47): three days of contemporary music by the Garonne
From Friday June 26 to Sunday June 28, the Plaine de la Filhole hosts Garorock, one of the biggest contemporary music festivals in the South-West. Created in 1997 in Marmande, the event spreads over more than 60 hectares by the Garonne a line-up blending rock, electro, hip-hop, pop and world music. Now a New Aquitaine must, it draws tens of thousands of festival-goers each summer to camp and move from stage to stage from Friday evening to late Sunday. It's the one to aim for if you want the full big-festival experience, with its international headliners and packed-plain atmosphere. Camping, food and shuttles round out the set-up.
EHZ - Euskal Herria Zuzenean in Hélette (64): Basque culture, self-managed
From Friday June 26 to Sunday June 28, the small village of Hélette, in the inland Basque Country, hosts EHZ - Euskal Herria Zuzenean ("Basque Country Live"). Created in 1996, this festival gathers more than 20,000 people around concerts, talks, workshops and shows, in a proudly self-managed spirit of cultural resistance. The line-up mixes Basque rock, punk, electro and world music, carried by hundreds of volunteers. Far more than a music festival, it's a grassroots, popular gathering where people come as much for the stage as for the commitment. A singular immersion in the vitality of contemporary Basque culture, in the heart of the hills.
La Rochelle International Film Festival (17): auteur cinema takes over the Old Port
From Friday June 26, the La Rochelle International Film Festival (FEMA) launches over a week of screenings in the heart of the city, on the Quai Georges-Simenon. A fixture for film lovers for more than fifty years, FEMA shines a light on auteur cinema, retrospectives devoted to great directors and discoveries from around the world. The opening weekend sets the tone: time to dive into a teeming programme, between dark theatres and open-air screenings. A demanding yet accessible interlude, to be savoured between strolls along the Old Port quays. A passionate crowd guaranteed.
Festival Soeurs Jumelles in Rochefort (17): when music meets the image
Until Sunday June 28, the Corderie Royale in Rochefort hosts the Festival Soeurs Jumelles, launched by actress Julie Gayet. Each June this event celebrates the connections between music and the image: concerts, screenings, original creations and encounters bring together musicians and film professionals. The heritage setting of the Corderie, on the banks of the Charente, lends the event a particular elegance. Its closing day concentrates highlights not to be missed for anyone interested in the bridges between the two disciplines. A festival with a strong identity, blending artistic ambition and warmth in Rochefort's former maritime arsenal.
Tulle Remet le Son (19): the accordion in every form in the Corrèze
From Thursday June 25 to Sunday June 28, the centre of Tulle vibrates with Tulle Remet le Son, the accordion festival that succeeds the famous Nuits de Nacre after 36 editions. Run by the town, this festive, popular event celebrates the accordion in all its forms — from classical to neo-trad, by way of tango and swing. On the programme: indoor and open-air concerts, street shows, balls and traditional dance workshops. The whole town tunes in to the king of instruments, in an easy-going atmosphere that spills into the streets. A musical fête rooted in its land, ideal for discovering a living heritage with the family.
Oloron Jazz Festival (64): "Des Rives & Des Notes" at the foot of the Pyrenees
From Thursday June 25 to Sunday July 5, the Oloron Jazz Festival, named "Des Rives & Des Notes", fills Oloron-Sainte-Marie at the foot of the Pyrenees. Run since 1995 by the Jazz à Oloron association, this human-scale festival is known for its eclectic line-up mixing established artists and fresh discoveries. Paid concerts at the Espace Jéliote and free dates around town combine to reach every audience. The opening weekend launches the party in a Béarn town crossed by its mountain streams. A fine stop for jazz lovers after an intimate, warm atmosphere, far from the big machines.
Festival Urbaka in Limoges (87): street arts take over the Cité
From Thursday June 25 to Saturday June 27, the Festival Urbaka turns the historic Cité district of Limoges into an open-air theatre. Founded in 1989, the first street-arts festival in the Haute-Vienne, it takes over Place Saint-Étienne, at the foot of the cathedral, and the bishop's gardens. Entirely free and without booking, Urbaka offers several days of shows, strolling acts, circus and performances in a remarkable heritage setting. Saturday is the high point before the close: the day to favour to enjoy the abundance. A popular, family format that sets contemporary creation in dialogue with ancient stones in the heart of Limoges.
Urban Cultures Festival in Saintes (17): hip-hop, skate and graffiti
From Friday June 26 to Sunday June 28, the Urban Cultures Festival (FCU) animates the Saintes skatepark for its 4th edition. Run since 2022 by the Home Street Home association, the event unfolds three days of hip-hop concerts, skate and BMX contests and demos, dance battles, graffiti performances and free workshops for all. It showcases the regional urban scene in all its diversity, between sport, music and visual arts. The young, energetic atmosphere makes it a welcome alternative to the weekend's more traditional fêtes. Ideal for the curious of street culture, beginners and insiders alike.
Féria de Saint-Sever (40): the Landes féria season opens
From Friday June 26 to Tuesday June 30, the Féria de Saint-Sever, also known as the Fêtes de la Saint-Jean, traditionally opens the Landes féria season at the solstice. For five days the Cap de Gascogne town dresses in red and white to celebrate its bullfighting and festive traditions. Courses landaises and corrida at the Henri Capdeville arena, encierros in the streets, concerts, brass bands and a cavalcade punctuate the fête day and night. The weekend concentrates the highlights, best lived inside a peña with a scarf round your neck. A plunge into Gascon festive culture, intense and popular, a stone's throw from the Basque Country.
Festival des Cagouilles in Saint-Julien-l'Ars (86): the Poitou snail in the spotlight
On Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28, the centre of Saint-Julien-l'Ars celebrates the Festival des Cagouilles, named after the little grey snail, an emblem of Haut-Poitou gastronomy. This popular fête blends tastings of snails cooked to ancestral recipes, a producers' market, musical entertainment and family activities. Rooted in the rural tradition of the Vienne, it keeps alive a local culinary know-how built on village conviviality. Far from the big stages, it's a tasty, authentic interlude, ideal for discovering a terroir and its recipes. An endearing date for lovers of country fêtes and South-West cooking, at the table and on a stroll.
Tour du Lac de Vassivière (23): the legendary race of the Millevaches plateau
On Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28, the Auphelle beach hosts the Tour du Lac de Vassivière, a legendary running event at the heart of the Millevaches Regional Nature Park in the Limousin. Created in 1997, it offers a main 23.4 km course around the lake, a 9.5 km nature trail and a 26 km Nordic-walking event. With more than 1,500 entrants, it's one of the great sporting dates of the Limousin summer, in a setting of lake and forest. Seasoned runners and walkers alike find their place, and the public can follow the race from the banks. A fine way to combine effort and nature at the water's edge.
Les Fifres de Garonne in Saint-Pierre-d'Aurillac (33): world flutes by the river
From Friday June 26 to Sunday June 28, Les Fifres de Garonne ring out in Saint-Pierre-d'Aurillac, on the banks of the Garonne in the Gironde. Created in 1991, this traditional-music festival is devoted to the fife and the flutes of the world, blending local musical heritage with artists from elsewhere. Run by the Les Sous-Fifres association, this emblematic New Aquitaine date cultivates a warm atmosphere right by the river. Balls, stages and strolling acts shape three days where music is lived outdoors, simply. A gem for lovers of living traditions and discoveries, proof that the party also happens far from the big cities.
Worth a mention too
- The Oloron Jazz Festival doubles down in the Béarn for those extending the weekend, with concerts around town through July 5.
- In the Corrèze, Tulle Remet le Son closes on Sunday with its open-air balls and dance workshops.
For a wider sweep, head to our full weekend agenda. Enjoy your New Aquitaine trip.
