Markets bursting with local produce, buzzing cafe terraces, sun-baked olive groves tended by third-generation farmers; ancient truffle estates, vineyards and oyster farms mirroring the beauty of each seasonâŠ
The smorgasbord of romantic accolades bestowed upon la belle France is dizzying, and most relate to food.
Attending a food festival is a golden ticket to tasting seasonal produce, meeting local producers and artisans and really getting under the skin of Franceâs grass-roots food culture. Almost every French specialty has its own dedicated feÌte (festival).
Hereâs a highlight from Smarttravellyâs new book, Eat France, which celebrates the vibrant culinary scene of one of the worldâs greatest foodie destinations from Paris to Corsica. From the communal tables in a vineyard to the worldâs most incredible display of citrus, get ready for the gourmand tour of a lifetime.
Franceâs Food Festival Calendar: where to go for the best local food and when
January is for truffles
FeÌte de la Truffe
Feast on prized black truffles at this two-day truffle fest in Sarlat-la-CaneÌda in the Dordogne. Provenceâs black truffle harvest is celebrated with a truffle fair in Aups.
February is for lemons and sea urchins
FeÌte du Citron
Gorge on Menton lemons and admire monumental sculptures and floats crafted from the fruit at the seaside townâs Lemon Festival.
Les Oursinades
Aficionados of the oursin (sea urchin) scoff bucketloads of its lurid-orange innards in the fishing port of Carry-le-Rouet on the CoÌte Bleue.
March is for ham and scallops
Foire au Jambon
The countryâs finest cured ham has been celebrated with gusto at Bayonneâs famous ham fair in Pays Basque since 1462.
FeÌte de la Coquille St-Jacques
Luxurious scallops fished in Brittanyâs Baie de St-Brieuc are plentiful at this two-day festival closing the strictly regulated scallop-fishing season. The fishing ports of Paimpol, Saint-Quay-Portrieux and Erquy take turns to host.
May is for cherries
FeÌte de la Cerise
Sun-baked CeÌret in Roussillon celebrates its cherry harvest with two days of markets, tastings and live music. Or head to the cherry-rich Basque village of Itxassou.
June is for garlic
Foire aÌ lâAil
Heady scents fill the honey-colored town of UzeÌs in Languedoc during its garlic fair.
July is for oysters
FeÌtes de lâHuiÌtre
Summer-long, seafaring towns around the Bassin de Thau on the Atlantic Coast toast the iconic Bouzigues oyster with tastings, raucous oyster feasts around communal tables and visits to local oyster farms.
August is for Champagne
Route du Champagne en FeÌte
Free tastings in the cellars of more than 20 top Champagne houses are a highlight of this weekend festival celebrating the worldâs most famous bubbles.
September is for mussels
Braderie de Lille
Europeâs largest outdoor flea market in Lille is as much about overdosing on mussels as shopping for a bargain.
Taste of Paris
A huge array of French food products, regional cuisines and cooking styles are showcased â with tastings, dining, live cooking and cookery classes â at this brilliant food fair filling Grand Palais in Paris.
October is for chestnuts, cows and chili peppers
FeÌte de la ChaÌtaigne
Pick, eat and fill up on sweet chestnuts native to forests around CollobrieÌres in the Massif des Maures in Provence.
Le Retour des Alpages
The return of cattle from alpine summer pastures has been reason to party since the Middle Ages. Annecy celebrates with traditional music, flower-festooned cows and street stalls plying local Savoy cheese.
FeÌte du Piment
A formal blessing of the townâs chili peppers and ennoblement of a chevalier du piment (a knight of the pimiento) are highlights of this chili-pepper fair in Espelette, Pays Basque.
November is for wine
Beaujolais Nouveau
At the stroke of midnight on the third Thursday in November bottles of cherry-red Beaujolais Nouveau are cracked open â and what a party it is in Beaujolais and nearby Lyon.
Vente aux EncheÌres des Vins de Hospices de Beaune
The grandest of wine fests in Burgundyâs prestigious CoÌte dâOr, this is a three-day extravaganza with tastings, cuisine and a private wine auction.
December is for Christmas markets
MarcheÌ de NoeÌl
Mug of vin chaud (mulled wine) in hand, mooch around fairy-light-covered stalls selling crafts and spicy bredele (biscuits) at Strasbourgâs month-long Christmas Market.
