The sweet sound of music in Franche-Comté

A visit to Franche-Comté is a must for all music lovers. Each year this French region, nestled between Burgundy and Switzerland, hosts several music festivals catering for all tastes.

Top events include:

Festival International de Musique Universitaire (FIMU) – 10 to 12 May 2008

Gathering over 250 free concerts, the FIMU celebrates music in all its forms over three days in Belfort town centre. Students from all over the world perform concerts to suit all type of music lovers with jazz, classical, pop or world music offerings. For more information, visit Fimu.com.

Les Eurockéennes – 4 to 6 July 2008

Held next to the Malsaucy Lake near Belfort, les Eurockéennes is one of the most prestigious rock festivals in France previously attracting acts including Amy Winehouse, Marilyn Manson and the Hives. This year’s programme will include famous international artists along with up and coming bands playing their first major festival. For more information, visit Eurockeennes.fr.

Festival Musique et Mémoire – 18 July to 3 August 2008

This festival, in the “Mille Etangs” area in the Vosges Mountains is dedicated to creating and promoting baroque music. Over the last few years, the festival has expanded and now features concerts in some of the region’s landmark settings including Le Corbusier’s Chapelle de Ronchamp.

The festival also features several “Concerts Gourmands” where festival goers can try regional specialities in local bistros while listening to baroque music.

Festival International de Musique de Besançon – 10 to 20 September 2008

Showcasing leading classical music acts in the heart of Besançon, the event is renowned for hosting the International Competition of Young Conductors. Besançon is one of only four cities in the world hosting this type of event. Amongst 200 applicants, only 20 are selected to compete during the festival.

With many shorts flights into Basel and Geneva available from UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Stansted, Luton and City Airport, it has never been easier to travel to Franche-Comté and make the most of the region’s eclectic music festivals.

For more information on the region, visit Franche-comte.org.