What Happens in France in June: Events, Festivals & Key Dates

The “relevages” is the annual lifting of the magical cognac vines, which are growing at an incredible pace of 10cm per day! The lower wire is raised and hooked onto the posts to make the vines stand tall like soldiers, ready for their summer, boxy haircut. It’s a great time to visit the cognac distilleries and enjoy a cognac tasting.

2024 sees an International Ceremony marking the 80^th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. This incredibly momentous occasion aims to celebrate ‘hope’ at its core. Every year, tributes are paid to the veterans and to the fallen of Britain, Canada, America, Belgium, France, Denmark, Holland, Poland, Norway, Australia and others who paid such a high price to defeat Nazism in Europe. This year is set to be a stand-out moment in commemorative events.

This year, Father’s Day or la Fête des pères falls on Sunday 16^th June, 2024. It is said to have started in France around 1949 when a lighter maker wanted to better commercialise their product, and of course, the commercial practice has stuck!

With some cracking artisanale brasseries in this area, such as La Goule and the uber-trendy Moussabord in Angouleme, the Dad in our house is very spoilt! Never tiring of a Cognac tour and being particularly partial to the single cru of Vignoble Pelletant (one of our local producers) also means Father’s Day gifts pose no problem in our household. If all else fails, some stunning patisserie from one of our local boulangerie equally hits the spot.

This worldwide celebration of music, which has been going on for more than 40 years, marks the summer solstice. Departments across France will be organising free events and festivities for all ages, presenting an opportunity to showcase the whole gamut of French musical heritage. For example, in the Charente department, there is an initiative called “Concert dans mon Jardin”, where members of the public can volunteer to host a concert in their garden, funded by the department, for their family, friends and neighbours. There are also events planned in Ruffec and Verteuil  – see here for a list.

This festival commemorates the birthday of Jean the Baptist. The festival is another example of potentially an originally Pagan celebration being subsumed into the Catholic Christian calendar. It can be dated back to the Phonecians and the Syrians celebrating the summer solstice when bonfires were lit to symbolise rebirth, transition and purification. This bonfire tradition remains throughout the south, and festivities often commence with an aperitif followed by an evening meal with music and the bonfire.

Whatever you do this June, remember the French proverb:

 “un juin bien fleuris, vrai paradis » but a « juin froid et pluvieux, tout l’an sera grincheux ! »

Let’s hope for the former! Bon courage a tous et a toutes !