What To Do | Festivals and Events in the Vendee and Charente region

Les Gastronomades festival you'll find all kinds of local products and delicious specialities which takes place over a weekend in November. Taste and learn all about the local products, skills and techniques.

Circuit des Remparts - Angouleme's Classic Car race. Every September Angouleme's roads becomes a race track and vintage cars from far and wide come to race in this wonderful race that first took place in 1939. The event starts on the Friday with a big parade of all the contestants, the 'Concours d'Elegance' allowing you the chance to admire up close these classic cars.  On the Saturday anyone with a pre-1975 car can take part in the Tourist Rally through the local countryside and then the big race takes part on Sunday. The town residents and visitors sit on top of the ramparts and enjoy the race taking place below.

Comic Strip Festival

Angouleme is most famous for its comic books and every year since 1974, the four-day International Comic Strip Festival is now a key event for professionals and the general public alike. The festival includes a programme of exhibitions, signings and performances in honour of one of the most dynamic and creative forms of expression around today.  Whether you are a family visiting, in a group or on your own its a marvel to behold with painted walls in classic French comic book characters  such as  Titeuf, Natacha, Boule & Bill, and Lucky Luke are just a few of the colourful characters who will surprise and amuse you as you walk around.

One of the biggest music festivals in France, "FrancoFolies", takes place each summer in La Rochelle, where Francophone musicians come together for a week of concerts and celebration.