What's On

Poitou-Charentes hosts fantastic festivals throughout the year.

Poitou-Charentes hosts fantastic music festivals from jazz and blues to rock and classical throughout the year.  In addition a great variety of events to suit all tastes and interests including classic car racing and boat shows, gastronomic and wine fairs, plus carnivals and open air spectaculars!  Some events take place throughout the summer, or across two or several months- they are listed below in the order in which they commence.  

Also, as you travel about, keep an eye for placards of forthcoming local events which are often only advertised a week or so beforehand.

 

 

 

January

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

February

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

March

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

April

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

May

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

12th International Festival of Chamber Music

For its twelfth anniversary, the International Festival of Chamber Music will see five weekends of events, from 9 May to 7 June.  The festival takes place at the Eglise et Cloître St Martial at Chalais.  

Although it's a bit of a hike, at around 1 hour 40 minutes from Villemorin, Angouleme is on the way so you might consider combining the two for an enjoyable day out.  Most of the concerts take place at 4pm, with a couple in the evening at either 8pm or 8:30pm. 

From 9th May, 2020 To 7th June, 2020Chalais Music Festival

Musique Métisses - World Music Festival, Angoulême

2020 sees the 45th anniversary of this world music festival in the hilltop town of Angoulême.   Last year saw around 100 artists from 15 countries perform on the three festival stages, with associated side-events.

From 29th May, 2020 To 31st May, 2020Musiques Métisses

June

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

12th International Festival of Chamber Music

For its twelfth anniversary, the International Festival of Chamber Music will see five weekends of events, from 9 May to 7 June.  The festival takes place at the Eglise et Cloître St Martial at Chalais.  

Although it's a bit of a hike, at around 1 hour 40 minutes from Villemorin, Angouleme is on the way so you might consider combining the two for an enjoyable day out.  Most of the concerts take place at 4pm, with a couple in the evening at either 8pm or 8:30pm. 

From 9th May, 2020 To 7th June, 2020Chalais Music Festival

Rendez-vouz aux jardins

Explore more than 50 parks and gardens in the Poitou-Charente, many of which will be arranging special events for the national 'rendez-vous aux jardins', which this year takes the theme "the Europe of gardens'.

See also - Parks and Gardens in Poitou- Charente

From 5th June, 2020 To 7th June, 2020Rendez-vouz aux jardins

Bordeaux wine festival

Taking place every two years, the Wine Festival features a mix of concerts, events and a 2km 'wine route' featuring 80 Bordeaux appelations, displays, tutorials and local foods.  For 2018, the Tall Ships Regatta will depart from Liverpool and after a stopover in Dublin will sail to Bordeaux for an arrival to coincide with the festival.

Every evening at 11pm a 20 minute light show is projected onto the walls of the ancient Palais de la Bourse, followed at 11:30 by a river fireworks display.

From 18th June, 2020 To 21st June, 2020Fete de Vin

July

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

Cognac Blues Passions

Not just blues, but a variety of musicians performing at various locations in and around Cognac, plus associated events showcasing Charente food and drink.  

Aside from the (charged for) evening concerts, there are lots of free street performances and other activities during the daytime.

From 1st July, 2020 To 5th July, 2020Cognac Blues Passions

Francofolies, la Rochelle

Francofolies takes place in various locations around the old port of La Rochelle and offers a showcase of contemporary French music. 

From 10th July, 2020 To 14th July, 2020Francofolies de la Rochelle

Rallye de Saintonge - car rally

Follow the cars in the countryside around Saintes.

2020 details are not yet available.

 

 

From 17th July, 2020 To 19th July, 2020Rallye de Saintonge

la Fete du Cognac

Organised by local cognac producers, this festival down at the old quay celebrates the famous drink of the region – down it straight or specially made cocktails and shooters. Also there for the tasting is pineau, the local aperitif, plus other specialities of the region such as oysters, snails and melons. Each night there are two concerts, one at 9pm, the other at 11pm, usually involving french artists (see http://www.lafeteducognac.fr/concerts.html).   Morcheeba has been booked to headline on the Saturday night.

From 23rd July, 2020 To 25th July, 2020la Fete du Cognac

A Violin in the Sand, in and around Royan

Imagine sitting on a sandy beach beneath a star-studded sky and listening to the most beautiful classical music… with your own champagne picnic – of course!

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 'un Violin sur le Sable' concert series in 2012, a new 'fringe' event, 'un Violin sur la Ville' was created.  The 'Ville' concerts now take place alongside the 'Sable' events, with locations in and around Royan, la Palmyre, Mornac sur Sudre and other nearly locations.  

 

From 25th July, 2020 To 31st July, 2020Violins in the Sand

August

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

Festival de Confolens

With a heritage dating back over sixty years, the Festival of Confolens offers an exciting mix of world music and dance, with over 500 artistes from five continents.  

Confolens is around 90 minutes from Villemorin.

From 10th August, 2020 To 16th August, 2020Festival de Confolens

Open Air Opera, Sanxay

For 2020, there will be three performances of Rossini's The Barber of Seville at the open air theatre, performed on the 10th, 12th and 14th August at 9:30pm.  

The ticket office usually opens on 1 April, and we strongly recommend making an advance booking.  

Sanxay is around one hour from Villemorin. 

From 10th August, 2020 To 14th August, 2019Opera Sanxay

Festival Art et Passion du Bois

Held every two years, 2020 sees the 14th iteration of the Festival, which will again celebrate the best artisans and designers who share a passion for wood. Competitions in wood-turning, demonstrations, sculpture exhibitions and shows will enliven Bréville and its surrounds.   Bréville is only 30 minutes away, and we thiunk this festival is informative and great fun!

From 29th August, 2020 To 30th August, 2020Festival Art et Passion du Bois

September

Polychromies de Notre-Dame, Poitiers (free light show)

If you are in Poitiers, why not stay for the free light show every evening which takes place on the facade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, Place Charles de Gaulle.

From 1 July to 30 September, the show commences at 10:30pm, and from 1 to 16 September, at 9:30pm.

From 7th January, 2020 To 30th September, 2020Tourisme Vienne

Circuit des Remparts, Angoulême

First staged back in 1939, the weekend-long events sees classic cars hurtling around the ancient, twisting roads of this pretty hill-top town. The demanding course with its right-angle bends and hairpin turns, hasn’t changed since that first race and it is one of the very few motor races to take place within the walls of a town.

The weekend starts on the Friday with the ‘Concours d’Elegance’ – a beauty parade for cars with prizes to the best presented car and driver. Saturday is the day of the Charente International Rally, with some 300 cars driving around the countryside. Take a picnic and watch them pass. Race day is Sunday and best watched from one of the stands but book your ticket early as they do sell out.  Throughout the weekend there are various exhibitions.

From 18th September, 2020 To 20th September, 2020Circuit des Remparts

Barrobjectif, 21st festival of photo-reportage

The small village of Barro, with only around 400 inhabitants, becomes a giant exhibition hall with more than 1,000 photographs displayed in the open-air – on walls, in trees, in the streets and squares, in barns and garages, on the water…. During the eight days, enjoy exhibitions by world-class amateurs as well as professional photo-reporters.   

Aside from the website link, you can also visit the Facebook page 'festival barrobjectif'

Barro is around 50 minutes from Villemorin, and not far from Ruffec, which is also worth a visit.

From 19th September, 2020 To 27th September, 2020Barrobjectif, 21st festival of photo-reportage

Grand Pavois boat fair

Europe’s largest in-water boat show with more than 100,000 visitors and 750 boats (with more than 300 in the water). The 100,000 square metre exhibition is split into several themed areas and there is also a packed programme of water-based events.

From 30th September, 2020 To 5th October, 2020Grand Pavois

October

Grand Pavois boat fair

Europe’s largest in-water boat show with more than 100,000 visitors and 750 boats (with more than 300 in the water). The 100,000 square metre exhibition is split into several themed areas and there is also a packed programme of water-based events.

From 30th September, 2020 To 5th October, 2020Grand Pavois