From the centuries-old Fête des Loges near Paris to the puppet festival in Mirepoix, our national picks for events and festivals across France this weekend, August 8-9, 2026.
The second weekend of August brings together some of France's most striking events and festivals, running August 8-9, 2026 (08/08/2026). From a centuries-old funfair to a nine-day medieval fair and a handful of regional gems, our selection spans the country from north to south. Where should you go this weekend without limiting yourself to one region? Our pick of the weekend is the Souvigny Medieval Fair, which wraps up nine days of historical re-enactment with an estimated 40,000 visitors. Twelve destinations, spread across the country, for a weekend that doesn't stay local.
Fête des Loges, France's oldest funfair, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Established in 1652 around the cult of Saint-Fiacre, the Fête des Loges has occupied the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye since late June, running through August 16, 2026. This weekend of August 8-9, more than 200 rides, attractions and stalls are still open, part of a fair that draws around three million visitors every year. Entry is free, in the forest bordering the château. Practical details are available online.
Le Voyage à Nantes turns the city into an open-air museum through September
Since 2012, a green line painted on the ground has guided visitors along more than 16 kilometers through Nantes, past contemporary art, monumental installations and heritage sites. The route, open until September 6, 2026, stays walkable all weekend, August 8 and 9. Plan on a full day to follow the line from one end of the city center to the other. The full route is online.
Nine days of the Middle Ages in Souvigny, France's longest medieval festival
The Souvigny Medieval Fair, in the Allier department, wraps up on August 9, 2026, after nine days of historical re-enactment. Jugglers, fire-eaters, tightrope walkers, artisans and medieval taverns turn the town center into a 13th-century city, drawing an estimated 40,000 visitors over the full nine days. Running since 1994, it's billed as the longest medieval festival in France. The August 8-9 weekend covers the event's final two days. The full program is online.
Falaise, birthplace of William the Conqueror, becomes a medieval camp for the weekend
The Médiévales de Falaise take place exactly this weekend, August 8-9, 2026, at the foot of the castle where William the Conqueror was born. More than 120 exhibitors, jousting tournaments, street performances and costumed processions animate the town over two days. The event is aimed at families as much as history enthusiasts. The full program lists tournament times.
MIMA brings nearly 64 puppet shows to the medieval town of Mirepoix
Billed by its organizers as France's second-largest puppet festival, MIMA (Marionnette actuelle à Mirepoix) runs August 6-9, 2026, in the Ariège department. Created in 1988, it mixes object theatre, animated forms and contemporary puppetry on the main square of this medieval town. How does a festival born in a town of under 4,000 people draw an audience well beyond the region? Part of the answer is a lineup that gets refreshed every year. Details on all 64 shows are published on the festival's website.
Classical music and jazz on the Opal Coast, Festival d'Hardelot closes its season on August 9
For more than 45 editions, the Festival d'Hardelot has staged classical and jazz concerts each summer in the seaside town of Neufchâtel-Hardelot, on France's Opal Coast. The 2026 program, which opened July 21, closes precisely on August 9. Concerts are held in landmark venues around town, including the Hôtel du Parc and the Elizabethan theatre. The final dates are worth booking ahead.
The Loudéac horse fair gathers 220 Breton draft horses on August 9
Held since 1936 at the Loudéac racecourse, the Fête du Cheval is one of Brittany's oldest equestrian events. On August 9, 2026, around 220 horses and thirty carriage teams are expected for a day of parades, competitions and demonstrations dedicated to the Breton draft horse. The Société Hippique Rurale de Loudéac organizes the event every year. The day's schedule lists competition times.
At the Thil fortress, a castle André Malraux called the oldest in France
The Médiévale des Seigneurs de Thil takes place August 8-9, 2026, at the Thil fortress in Vic-sous-Thil, in the Côte-d'Or. Re-enactment groups, armored knights, artisans and encampments bring the Middle Ages back to life for the weekend, in a site André Malraux once called France's oldest fortified castle. The Enchantez Thil association has organized the event for several years. The schedule of activities is online.
Mariachis and folk dance in the Ubaye valley, a legacy of emigration to Mexico
From August 7 to 16, 2026, the Fêtes Latino-Mexicaines de Barcelonnette mark an unusual historical bond: in the 19th century, part of the Ubaye valley's population emigrated to Mexico and returned wealthy. This August 8-9 weekend, the town comes alive to the sound of mariachi bands, with costumed parades, Latin dance workshops and free concerts on Place Manuel. The ten-day program is available at the town hall and online.
International chamber music at the Château de Surgères park, through August 8
Festival Sérénade offers free chamber music concerts, running through August 8, 2026, in the park of the Château de Surgères and on the square by the Église Notre-Dame, in the Charente-Maritime. The Music'Art diffusion association brings together internationally renowned musicians each summer for three evenings of concerts. The final concert on August 8 makes for a fitting close to a Saturday spent exploring the area. The three-evening program is online.
A night of stargazing in Nançay, part of France's national Nuits des Étoiles
On August 8, 2026, the Pôle des Étoiles de Nançay, together with the Société Astronomique Populaire du Centre, holds a free evening of stargazing, with the naked eye and through telescopes. The event is part of the national Nuits des Étoiles program, running for close to 20 years. Talks, a market and workshops round out the evening, in the Cher department. Opening hours are listed on the Pôle des Étoiles website.
The Baracci fair marks 33 years around the Olmeto thermal baths, in southern Corsica
On August 8-9, 2026, the Foire de Baracci (Fiera di Baracci in Corsican) gathers local artisans and producers at the Thermes de Baracci site, in Olmeto. Created in 1994 by Olmeto's Comité d'Animation, this 33rd edition is built around the theme 'Acqua è Saluta,' a nod to the site's thermal waters. A traditional farming and craft fair, it makes for a fitting close to a weekend spent touring the island. More information is available on-site or from Olmeto's tourist office.
Twelve destinations, spanning twelve of France's thirteen mainland regions: enough to fill the weekend of August 8-9, 2026 without ever repeating yourself. Find more picks by region on our weekend agenda.
