Festivals, Events & When To Go

Every month of the year there are festivals and special events of some kind or another taking place in Western Loire, although quite naturally the numbers increase quite significantly during the summer period. Music, dance, heritage, sport, theatre, film, literature and local wines are just some of the themes that are enthusiastically celebrated on an annual basis, giving visitors to the region numerous opportunities to join in the fun - and perhaps learn an interesting thing or two at the same time.

As you would expect when in the Loire, the sumptuous château of the region feature prominently in quite a number of these festivals - with their rich history, often huge, beautifully tended gardens, and spectacular sound and light displays, they make an ideal venue for just about any type of occasion.

Below are some of the popular festivals and events in Western Loire:

Amboise

For ten days every June, the Loire Valley Wine Festival brings together all the finest produce from the region's vineyards for visitors to sample and enjoy in Amboise's Parc des Mini-Chateaux. The Parc itself is a 1/25 scale replica of the countryside and 43 chateaux that line the Loire Valley - a uniquely enjoyable and highly appropriate setting that is also a great introduction to the many sites of interest you can expect to find in the area. You won't have to do a lot of walking if you don't want to either, because a miniature connecting railway runs continuously throughout the Parc.

Le Mans

Visit Le Mans during June and there is only one thing on everyone's mind - the legendary, near mythical 24 hour race that tests both drivers' skills and cars' performance to the absolute limit. Originally set up as a one-off challenge in 1923, the event remains as massively popular as ever, attracting entries worldwide from a veritable A-list of manufacturers and drivers.

How you choose to watch the race is entirely up to you. For spectators who appreciate all the creature comforts there are numerous luxury hospitality areas, while at the other end of the scale you may care to join the many who pitch a tent close to the track to catch the full blast of the experience. And blast it most definitely is, but at least this way you should have no problem staying awake for the duration.

Angers

The Anjou Theatre Festival, usually spanning the end of June and beginning of July every year, is a series of high quality plays and productions performed in the open air against the backdrop of the area's most visually stunning monuments and chateaux. The event is sometimes colloquially known as 'Spectacles in front of the Spectacular' - an apt description that gives you a very good idea of what to expect from France's second largest theatre festival. The variety of entertainment is equally impressive, 2004's programme included plays by William Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde, music hall and opera productions, plus a children's adventure spectacular.

Early September sees the Accroche-coeurs festival come to town. Over the course of four days you are invited to set out on a journey through an imaginary world accompanied by a small army of professional entertainers. Street theatre, a circus, music, open-air cinema and dancing are just some of the attractions.

Noirmoutier

Every June (exact dates vary), the four kilometre long causeway that connects the island of Noirmoutier to the Vendée mainland becomes the setting for the Great Gois Run - a race that is to say the least highly unusual. Many would consider it is downright crazy. Runners sprint back and forth over this long straight stretch, battling not just against each other, but also against the rising tide, which can come in with devastating speed to completely submerge the causeway. In this case, the term 'run for your life' might well have to be taken quite literally.

Later in the year, during mid-August, the island presents the annual Gréement Regatta. Tall ships, both restored originals and replicas, gather together with their sailing enthusiast owners for three days of racing in the waters around the island. Needless to say, the atmosphere on dry land is pretty festive with much wining and dining going on, including the almost mandatory freshly caught seafood.

Nantes

Nantes' calendar is filled with festivals and events taking place virtually throughout the year, many of which celebrate music in a wide variety of forms - from classics and opera to rock, jazz and traditional folk. Two of the most popular of these are the city's summer festival of music, Musiques Sur I'lle Festival held in July, and Rendez-vous de l'Erdre staged in late August.

The summer festival attracts artists and performers from all over the world, with the main concerts taking place in the international village beside the Loire. As well as the music there are usually lots of opportunities to talk with the artists, plus take dance lessons or even try your hand at various circus arts. What's more, it's all absolutely free. The only charge is for the headline act of every evening which kicks off at 9pm.

Amongst Nantes' other annual attractions are a spectacular carnival in April, and the Three Continents Film Festival held in November.

Saumur

As you might expect given its world famous riding school and distinguished equestrian history, Saumur hosts a great number of horse-related shows and displays of skill throughout the summer. Also held here biennially in June on odd years is The International Festival of Military Music. Army bands from countries as diverse as Russia, Sweden, Portugal, America and France all come together to provide a major spectacle of marching, colourful uniforms, and of course, lots of oomp pa pah.

Not that they limit themselves to just one style of music. Many of the bands also show off their versatility by playing their own highly individual versions of various classical and even operatic pieces during a special concert in the town's theatre. The three-day event takes in events all over town, and closes with a spectacular open-air performance in the Place de la République.