We look at some of the top events in France in February from celebration days to festivals, fairs, carnivals and more…
Celebration days in France in February
La Chandeleur – Pancake Day in France: 2 February 2023. La Chandeleur or Crêpe Day is the day in France when people traditionally eat crêpes and drink cider! Here’s how to make the perfect French pancake/crêpe.
La Saint Valentin – Valentine’s Day in France: 14th February 2023.
Events in France in February
Alpes Maritimes: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Mimosa Festival 8-12 February 2023. Spring is in the air and in Mandelieu-La-Napoule millions of sweet smelling Mimosa flowers known as “yellow suns” bloom. Parades, processions, singing and dancing, this joyous event signals the end to winter in the south of France. www.ot-mandelieu.fr
Enduropale, Pas de Calais: 3-5 February 2023. Fast paced, wild bike racing on the beaches at Le Touquet, Stella and Merlimont. This is a fun packed weekend in which thousands of bikes and hundreds of quad bikes are involved in a race circuit on the beach. It’s noisy and exciting. More than 150,000 people turn up each year to watch and cheer the racers on. www.enduropaledutouquet.fr/
Calais: 3-5 February 2023. Pas de Calais Wine and Food Fair. A weekend extravaganza at the Forum Gambetta. Wine producers from all over France converge to present their wares supported by regional food producers. Get free tickets and a personal tasting glass here: www.salon-des-vignerons.com
Granville: Normandy, Granville Mardi Gras, 17-21 February 2023. Celebrated since 1872, this carnival began as a feast prepared by the wives of fishermen leaving to catch cod, just like the Dunkirk Carnival. These days it’s all about fun and having a good time. There are parades, all night drinking, wearing masks and making friends as thousands arrive for this very popular five day event. www.carnaval-de-granville.fr
Dunkirk: Carnival – throughout February and into early March, Dunkirk bursts into song and dance with locals and visitors for the carnival, 10 February – 5 March, 2023. This has to be one of the loudest and most fun carnivals in Europe especially when the Mayor throws herrings off his balcony into the crowds! www.dunkerque-tourisme.fr
Nice: Nice Carnival 10-26 February 2023. Processions, flower parades and flower battles, rock, pop, fireworks and giants. Over a million people flock to Nice to join in the fun heralding the start of spring. One of the most glamorous of all the French carnivals. www.nicecarnaval.com
Menton: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Lemon Festival of Menton 11-26 February 2023. This amazing fruity festival features immense structures built with thousands of lemons and oranges. It’s one of the most popular festivals in the region and attracts many thousands of visitors from all over the world. www.fete-du-citron.com
Please note: We check every website for dates and details personally but changes do happen from time to time – please check websites for confirmation.
