Cannes’ famous Film Festival makes the resort an especially exciting place to own a home in May. But plenty of other French towns host annual festivals or events, which could be another reason to buy there. Here are some ideas…

Article written by The Overseas Guides Company

Le Mans 24-hour race
Each June the French town of Le Mans in the Pays de la Loire hosts one of the world’s most famous motor racing events, the Le Mans 24-hour sports car endurance race. In the week leading up to and during the weekend of the race, hundreds of thousands of sports car enthusiasts from around the world descend on the town, grandstands and stretches of the 13.6-kilometre circuit, which is a mix of track and public roads. Many visitors camp by the track, but others stay in hotels or rent a house in the area – an opportunity for local homeowners to get an extra bit of income. We’ve found a great farmhouse for sale, 15 minutes from Le Mans and with a gite business attached. For more information, click here.

Nice Carnival
One of the world’s largest and on a par with Rio and Venice, Nice’s carnival spans two weeks in February and attracts more than a million visitors. It is deemed the largest winter event on the Côte d’Azur. The event includes parades throughout the town both during the day and at night, the famous ‘Flower Battle’ procession of floats dripping with fresh flowers, a ball, and mini celebrations in different neighbourhoods. This two-bedroom pied-a-terre in a 19th-Century building is nice and central, so close to the action of the carnival. Click on the image to find out more.

Berck-sur-Mer kite festival
The more outdoorsy house-hunters might want to consider a trip to Berck-sur-Mer, just south of Le Touquet in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, in Springtime when this small French beach resort hosts the International Kite Festival. A ten-day event, the event attracts around 700,000 spectators, who come to see the world’s best kite makers show off their latest creations and their ability to fly them. Teams from around the world also compete to win the kite-flying world championship. Its proximity to the ferry port and Eurotunnel terminal at Calais make this part of France very convenient for travelling from the UK. Find out more about this pretty five-bedroom house in Berck by clicking on the image.

Carcassonne Festival
For a month each summer the medieval city of Carcassonne in Languedoc hosts one of France’s most colourful arts and cultural events. This includes a hundred or so concerts and shows, including French and international variety shows, plays, circus acts, dancing shows, and jazz, opera and classical concerts in prestigious venues around the city. Many are free to attend. Carcassonne’s incredible architecture helps add to the magical feel of the festival. This charming character home is in a village just 20 minutes from Carcassonne – click on it for more info.

by the track, but others stay in hotels or rent a house in the area – an opportunity for local homeowners to get an extra bit of income. We’ve found a great farmhouse for sale, 15 minutes from Le Mans and with a gite business attached. For more information, click here.

More info
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