A summary of some of the main events  - many of which are repeated every year, although dates may vary.

Check specific dates either through the links quoted, or through the Tourist Board sites.

A good summary of some of the main events, including access to further information, can be found here : click here or click here

January

Festival International de la Bande-Dessinee (if I were to call it a comic strip festival I'd be shot !!) : 4 days at Angouleme (www.bdangouleme.com)

February

Collectors Fair and Second Hand Market : 2 days in the Parc des Expositions in La Rochelle

March/April

2 day International Kite Flying Festival at Chatelaillon-Plage near La Rochelle

May

Fete du nautisme (International Sailing Week) at La Rochelle (www.srr-sailing.com)

Cavalcade : 2 days of processions of floats and bands at La Rochelle

June/July

International Film Festival at La Rochelle (www.festival-larochelle.org)

July/August

Sites en Scene : a month long series of events including music, plays and exhibitions organised by the Charente Maritime Tourist Board

Cinesites : a programme of outdoor film showings

July/September

 Les Mercredis du Jazz at Rochefort : a different concert every Wednesday !

July

Violins on the Sand : 3 evenings of musicians playing in concert on the Grande Conche beach in Royan (www.violonsurlesable.com)

European Festival of the Art of Pyrotechnics (fireworks to you and me !!) : 5 day (night !) festival at St.Palais sur Mer

Francofolies festival in La Rochelle : a 5 day festival of French music (www.francofolies.fr)

Mondiofolk : a week long worldwide folklore festival in Montguyon (www.mondiofolk.net)

Eurochestries at Jonzac & Pons : 3 weeks of concerts performed by youth & childrens' orchestras & choirs from around the world (www.eurochestries.com)

Les Academies Musicale de Saintes : 10 days of a full range of classical concerts in Saintes (www.festival-saintes.org)

Blues Passions : 4 days of all forms of blues in Cognac (www.bluespassions.com)

August

Fireworks on the beach at Royan

Festival Ritmos latinos (Festival of Latin Rhythms) at La Rochelle : 3 days of evening concerts of all forms of latin music (http://alachp17.free.fr)

Soirees Jazz en Re : 3 days/evenings of free jazz in the streets of St-Martin-de-Re on the Ile de Re.

September

Le Grand Pavois : a week long international boat show at La Rochelle, culminating with a firework display in front of the Old Port

October

Jazz entre les Deux Tours at La Rochelle : a week long jazz festival (www.larochelle.fr)

November

The La Rochelle Marathon