A Summertime Guide To Festivals In Provence

A festival in Provence is more than just great music; it’s about being in amazing locations with great food. Here’s our pick of the best ones that summer has to offer. We’ll tell you what to expect, how to get there, and how to make the most of your time.

Festival Yeah!

The Festival Yeah! takes place in the beautiful village of Lourmarin in the heart of Provence.

Its picture-postcard setting is everything you imagine Provence to be: beautiful streets, boutique shops, intimate cafés/bars, and a castle (that makes its own wine) right on the doorstep, where all the bands play. What more could you ask for from a festival in Provence?

Festival Yeah! wasn’t set up to be a hugely commercial event; it’s a low-key, relaxed affair with a family vibe. There are even silencing headphones and ear plugs available for the kids.

Daytime activities at the Festival Yeah!

The clip below is in French, but it’s a great indication of what to expect: yummy food, delicious drinks, and great music in a spectacular setting.

Festival Yeah! offers pop/rock. Check out their line-up here.

Kids can have as much fun as the adults at Festival Yeah!

If you are looking for last minute tickets or up-to-date news, check out their Facebook page.

Festival Yeah!

Dates: June 2-4, 2017

Location: Lourmarin, Provence

Music: Pop/Rock

Good For: Families and people wanting a low-key, less commercial music event

Cost: Day tickets into the festival grounds are €25. Under 5s go free. Under 13s go half price. All village activities are free to get into.

Sleeping options: There are all sort of options in and around Lourmarin, like hiring a cottage or camping. A list is provided online.

Transport options: The closest airport is Marseille. The nearest TGV rail station is Avignon. From both the airport and the TGV, it’s probably best to rent a car. Car pooling is encouraged through the French car pooling site, Blah Blah Car.

This Is Not A Love Song

This Is Not A Love Song (TINALS, for short) takes place annually in the town of Nimes.

The festival includes both big and little names in the world of indie music, including bands with diverse sounds and who might be a little bit more experimental than those you might find at other festivals. Check out the line-up here.

Take a look at this YouTube clip to get a feel for the vibe:

The festival is closely tied to the local community; volunteers play a big part, welcoming people and helping to run events. You can apply online to volunteer.

There’s lots of places for the kids to be cool too

Kids over the age of ten are welcome and there are lots of places for them to run around and hang out.

People loving the indie rock in Nimes at This Is Not A Love Song

It operates a cashless system which you sign up for beforehand, so you don’t need to bother with carrying around lots of money. For the latest headlines and last-minute tickets, check out their Facebook.

And when it gets dark, you can hang out in luxury

This Is Not A Love Song (TINALS)

Dates: June 9-11, 2017

Location: Paloma, Smac de Nîmes Métropole 250 Chemin de l’aérodrome, Nîmes

Music: Indie (big and small bands)

Good for: Families with teenage kids. People who love a community festival vibe with great indie music.

Cost: Day tickets are €33. There is a reduced tariff of €28 for children aged 10-18 years. A three-day pass costs €80. Buy tickets here.

Sleeping options: There are camping facilities on-site or a free bus will shuttle you back and forth between Nimes.

Transport options: The site is next to Nimes airport (which has direct flights from London and Brussels). Alternatively, take the train from Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Grenoble, Montpelier, or Toulouse airports or hire a car. Or you can car pool to get there, by using the French car pooling site Blah Blah Car.

Midi Festival

The Midi Festival is a smaller affair set in a large, beautiful villa with amazing gardens. The Villa Noailles is on the side of the hill overlooking the town of Hyères on the French Riviera.

This clip is in French, but offers a chance to see the beautiful setting and relaxed Provençal vibe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWv1iY7V060

This is a place to party in the sun, in a small intimate venue, by the Mediterranean sea.

This festival has more of a party crowd with a love of electronic/pop music.

The party gets going at the Midi Festival

What’s more, the location is perfect to enjoy some of the wonderful coastline when the concert is over.

Flavien Berger playing at the Midi Festival

For up-to-date information, it’s best to check out their Facebook page.

Midi Festival

Dates: July 21-23, 2017

Location: Villa Noailles, Hyères

Music: Electro/Pop

Good for: A party crowd that wants a chic, intimate setting with great electro/pop music

Cost: Tickets are between €10 and €70.

Sleeping options: Stay in the town or find nearby camping facilities. All details are available online.

Transport options: There is a small airport in Hyères that does have international flights or you can take the train to Hyères station.

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