Haute-Savoie, a land of many cultural events

The Fête du Lac is a not-to-be-missed event in Haute Savoie. It is without doubt the region's biggest event. It attracts an average of over 200,000 spectators every year. On the first Saturday in August, Annecy hosts a fireworks display, light shows and themed background music. This tradition is not new. It dates back to 1860, when Napoleon II and Empress Eugénie came to Annecy. Since then, this night-time festival has been held every year. The festival is so popular and so large-scale that you are invited to book your tickets in advance.

Quiet, it's filming in Annecy! Every year, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival takes place for a week in June. The festival, which thrills audiences the world over, welcomes over 3,300 films from around a hundred countries. It will be awarding prizes for the best short films (L'officielle, Off-Limits, Perspectives, Young Audience, etc.). Audiences will also be able to see emerging talent, meet seasoned directors, watch the latest animated masterpieces and examine current and future trends.

The festival also includes the International Animation Film Market (Mifa). This is the place to meet and talk to professionals in the film industry.

Music lovers beware! Haute-Savoie has plenty to thrill you... The region is home to three big-name festivals. The Rock the Pistes festival promises a high-altitude concert for winter sports fans. Every year in March, over 60 concerts of electro, pop and rock music light up the Portes du Soleil.

During the summer months, it's the turn of the Rock'n'Poche festival to bring its melodious touch to the mountains. Spread over two days, the festival attracts over 10,000 people who come to enjoy around 16 concerts, featuring a host of local and international rock artists.

If rock'n'roll isn't your cup of tea, the more eclectic CosmoJazz Festival also takes place during the last week of July. As with all festivals, there are plenty of activities on site, including food and drink stalls and entertainment.

Twenty kilometres from Annecy, Andilly takes you back to medieval times for a few days. The Grandes Médiévales festival is held every spring. A medieval camp is set up on more than 15 hectares, and more than 60,000 visitors flock to immerse themselves in the spectacle. More than 500 artists and 1,000 extras put on around 20 hours of shows, including battles, flights of birds of prey, concerts, entertainment, storytelling and equestrian jousting.

There's nothing like a local festival! In La Clusaz, the locals get together for the Reblochon festival (yes, you read that right!). Cheese lovers won't want to miss this gastronomic event in the first half of August. A symbol of the region's rich heritage, the locals pay tribute to its cheese-making traditions, local produce and the trades of yesteryear.

The festival begins in the morning with a mass and ends with a fine meal in the evening, with plenty of entertainment to keep the day going. Visitors can take a stroll through the local cheese stalls. They can also discover local crafts, folk dances, cow milking, sheep shearing, a parade of floats, a hay pool for children and the preparation of Reblochon cheese in a giant cauldron.

Whether you're a runner or a spectator, the Lake Annecy International Marathon is a major sporting event not to be missed! The race has been running since the 1980s, and offers a range of races to suit all abilities. There's also plenty of entertainment on offer during the event. To take part in this race, come to Annecy at the end of April.

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Another sporting event: the swim across the lake takes place on the weekend of 15 August. A race worthy of an Olympic event!

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