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- The Festival des Forêts in Compiègne - 21st June – 13th July 2024
One of the biggest music festival in France takes place at 14 natural sites in the Laigue and Compiègne forests in Northern France, just off the A1 about 80km north of Paris and less than three hours from the Channel port of Calais – ideally situated for those travelling TO France by car.
For lovers of wild nature, great spaces and music, this long-established event is one of the best things to do in France and a great opportunity to do your body good in a calm setting with lots of fresh air rich in oxygen. Absorb classical music amidst the natural decor of the forest, performed on instruments including harps and violins, and sometimes accompanied by dance, cinematic effects or even fireworks.
As well as the chance to slow down, this music festival – involving more than 200 musicians, around 70 composers and several orchestras – give you the chance to discover local heritage while you visit France. Among the venues of historic interest in their own right are the Clairière de l’Armistice where the WW1 peace settlement was agreed, the fairytale Château de Pierrefonds, and Saint-Jean-aux-Bois Abbey. This year also sees the introduction of three-hour pre-concert walks accompanied by musicians, encouraging a meditative experience of the forest. And you can also enjoy regional cuisine in the form of buffets and picnics.
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