The best events in department
06 during the summer
Inseparable from the Azurean summer, French festivals draw crowds every year and contribute to the tourist appeal of our region. Jazz, dance, electronic, chanson, rock... every taste is represented along the French Riviera, which has long been a favorite destination for lovers of culture, sunshine, and entertainment. If you're learning French, these events offer a great opportunity for cultural immersion in the arts—just as the Tour de France does in the world of sports. In 2025, the cultural scene on the French Riviera looks particularly promising thanks to a diverse lineup.
Among the must-see festivals in Cannes, the Pyrotechnic Festival lights up the Cannes sky each summer with stunning sound and light shows launched from the bay. The world’s best fireworks experts compete to create dazzling displays that entertain the thousands of spectators gathered on the beaches. For the 2025 edition, the festival will run from July 4 to August 24, featuring six show nights. The first two dates are Friday, July 4 and Monday, July 14, in celebration of Bastille Day. In short, it’s a perfect evening out for teens attending our summer campus in Cannes.
From July 10 to 20, 2025, the 64 th edition of Jazz à Juan will bring life to the Pinède Gould in Juan-les-Pins. This legendary festival, created in 1960 as a tribute to Sidney Bechet—a pioneer in his field—gives the general public the chance to discover some of the greatest jazz artists. Its long history makes it the oldest jazz festival in Europe. Just steps away from the beach, it offers a diverse program that will appeal to both tourists and students from our French campus in Antibes.
Recently renamed Nice Jazz Fest', this festival will transform Nice into a massive open-air jazz stage from July 24 to 27, 2025. Festival-goers are expected at the Théâtre de Verdure and Place Masséna for four days of concerts. One of Nice’s most iconic and long-standing festivals, it also offers workshops, artist meet-and-greets, and exhibitions. This summer event allows music lovers to soak up both jazz and the sunshine of Nice: experience the Nice Carnival in winter—and this festival in summer!
From August 8 to 10, 2025, the Plages Électroniques—one of the most anticipated electronic music festivals in Europe—returns to Cannes. Since 2006, this massive beach party has transformed the beach at the Palais des Festivals into a giant dance floor. The event features three days of partying with fifteen hours of non-stop music and over sixty international artists. Just like the Cannes Film Festival, it’s a golden opportunity to learn French while enjoying a unique cultural immersion with an international crowd.
Since 2017, the Alpes-Maritimes department has celebrated its horticultural heritage with the Côte d’Azur Garden Festival. This free event highlights the many public gardens in the region and is a perfect educational outing for children learning French. The festival also offers conferences and interactive activities. Special emphasis is placed on environmental issues, with artistic creations that showcase sustainable development.
From July 10 to 19, 2025, the 28th edition of the Nuits du Sud will transform the Place du Grand Jardin in Vence into a vibrant hub of musical celebration. The festival offers six evenings of concerts in a festive atmosphere, featuring emerging artists and regional talent. It's a cultural event not to be missed for students enrolled in our standard French courses at the Centre International d’Antibes.
The Nuits Musicales du Suquet captivate audiences in the picturesque setting of Cannes’ old town. This classical music festival, established in 1975, takes place on the forecourt of the Notre-Dame-d’Espérance church. Under the stars, symphony orchestras and renowned soloists perform masterpieces by great composers, making this event one of the must-see festivals in the Alpes-Maritimes.
In July 2025, the Menton Music Festival returns to the forecourt of the Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange with symphonic orchestras, solo recitals, and chamber music ensembles. Since 1949, this festival has welcomed the world’s most talented musicians to a venue that Sviatoslav Richter once described as “one of the seven wonders of the world.” A perfect event for both young learners and adults looking to enrich their cultural experience.
From July 14 to August 26, 2025, every Monday and Tuesday from 8 p.m., the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild will host its second edition of the "Nocturnes." Inspired by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, these evenings celebrate song, music, dance, and beautiful literature—an ideal program for those who come to learn French in France. Visitors can explore the Villa and its gardens until midnight in a magical candlelit setting. Finally, open-air performances take place on the lawns of the French-style garden.
From August 2 to 4, 2025, Grasse celebrates its traditional Jasmine Festival, a popular tribute to flower growers and perfume creators. Since 1946, every first weekend of August, the town honors this small white flower, harvested from August through October. Among the traditional festivals of the Alpes-Maritimes, a flower parade will take place on Saturday, August 3, featuring a colorful procession where jasmine water is sprayed by local firefighters. On the program: musical and dance troupes in the historic center, acrobat parades, flag throwers, and more. A cultural experience especially appreciated by students enrolled in our adult French courses.
