The weekend of Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026, brings a particularly rich programme of events to the French Riviera and the Alpes-Maritimes. Beyond the best-known attractions of Nice and the coast, towns and villages such as Beausoleil, Èze, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Vence, Sospel, Saorge, Breil-sur-Roya and the Mercantour valleys will host cultural events, concerts, sporting activities, markets, environmental initiatives and celebrations of local traditions.

It is an ideal weekend for anyone looking to combine time by the sea with the discovery of the smaller towns and villages of the French Riviera, with activities suitable for families, car enthusiasts, music lovers, curious travellers and anyone looking for a more authentic experience.

Saturday, September 12: classic cars, classical music and nature

One of the most spectacular events of the weekend is undoubtedly Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Prestige, taking place on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The event is dedicated to enthusiasts of vintage, classic and collector cars and is centred around Place du Centenaire, 3 avenue Jean Mermoz, with additional activities along Quai Virgile Allari. Admission is free.

On Saturday, the cars will arrive between 9:30 am and 10:30 am, followed at 11:00 am by the opening and inauguration of the exhibition featuring “Prestige Patrimoine” and “Prestige Sport Automobile” vehicles. In the afternoon, at 3:30 pm, the cars taking part in the elegance competition will parade along Quai Virgile Allari. The exhibition remains open until 6:00 pm. The event continues on Sunday with the opening at 9:30 am, the jury’s inspection at 10:00 am, the elegance competition at 3:00 pm and the awards ceremony later in the afternoon.

Just a few kilometres away, Beaulieu-sur-Mer will host the opening of the Beaulieu Classic Festival 2026, a classical music festival running until September 19. On Saturday, September 12, the programme begins at 10:00 am at Place Marinoni with the official opening of the festival and a performance by Steeve Villa Massone. Admission is free.

That evening, at 8:30 pm, the Plage de la Petite Afrique will host the opening concert, The Greatest Opera Choruses, performed by the Nice Opera Choir. A free pass is required for this performance and can be obtained online.

The festival continues on Sunday, September 13, at 5:30 pm, when the Casino de Beaulieu hosts Le Manteau, featuring actor François Berléand and the Trio Helios. Other concerts throughout the week will take place at prestigious venues including the Casino, St Michael’s Anglican Church and the Hôtel Royal Riviera.

Èze puts wellness in the spotlight

For visitors looking for a weekend focused on wellbeing, the Festival Bien-Eze 2026 is one of the highlights. The event takes place on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 at the Oppidum du Col d’Èze, 1948 avenue des Diables Bleus – Grande Corniche.

Over two days, the festival brings together practitioners and activities centred on yoga, meditation, naturopathy, sophrology, osteopathy and other wellness disciplines. Visitors can also take part in tai chi, Pilates, cardio and meditation sessions, alongside talks on subjects including essential oils, hypnosis and the benefits of theatre.

Admission to the festival area is free, although some workshops may require a fee. The official tourism information confirms the two-day event but does not currently provide one single opening time covering every activity, so visitors are advised to check the detailed programme before setting off.

Discovering the traditional art of dry-stone construction in Breil-sur-Roya

Those who prefer nature, heritage and hands-on experiences can head to Breil-sur-Roya on Saturday, September 12, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, for Les rendez-vous de la pierre sèche, or the “Dry Stone Meetings”.

The event takes the form of a practical workshop dedicated to preserving the dry-stone walls that are such a distinctive feature of the region’s terraced landscapes. Participants can learn about traditional construction and restoration techniques under the guidance of a professional stone mason.

The event is free, but advance registration is required, with places limited to 15 participants. Safety shoes and gloves are mandatory. For information and registration, the organisers provide the telephone number 04 92 41 80 30.

A greener Beausoleil

Also on Saturday morning, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, the Parc sportif du Devens in Beausoleil will host the community project Beausoleil, ville nourricière : cultivons la ville ensemble !

The initiative aims to plant hedges and fruit trees while bringing together local residents, families, associations and volunteers.

Participation is free and includes breakfast and lunch for volunteers, although registration is required. No gardening experience is necessary, making the event suitable for anyone who wants to get involved and help create new shared green spaces in the city.

Vence: associations, books and local community life

Vence offers two very different events on Saturday, September 12.

The Forum des associations 2026 takes place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and gives visitors the opportunity to meet local associations working in culture, sport, social activities and leisure. It is particularly interesting for residents, but also for visitors who want to discover more about community life in the Pays Vençois. Admission is free.

On the same day, outside the Municipal Media Library, 228 avenue Colonel Meyère, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Journée ventes et dons de livres CD et DVD will offer books, CDs and DVDs at very low prices, generally around €0.50 and €1. Visitors can also donate books, CDs and DVDs throughout the day. Admission is free.

Meeting Isabelle Cerf in Saint-Laurent-du-Var

Book lovers and anyone interested in personal development can head to Saint-Laurent-du-Var on Saturday, September 12 at 3:00 pm, when the Librairie du Cap, inside the Cap 3000 shopping centre, hosts Isabelle Cerf for a book-signing session.

The event celebrates the release of her new oracle deck, L’oracle du miroir secret, and takes place at Librairie du Cap – Centre Commercial Cap 3000, avenue Eugène Donadeï.

The signing begins at 3:00 pm. Visitors are advised to contact the bookshop directly for any additional information concerning the event.

Corsican songs come to Gattières

Music takes centre stage once again in Gattières, where Duo Fiuminale – Chants corses will perform on Saturday, September 12 at 8:30 pm at the Église St-Nicolas.

Maxime Merlandi and Jean Philippe Guissani bring the traditions of Corsican singing to the stage after a long international career and thousands of concerts. Their repertoire combines traditional melodies, vocal harmonies and the distinctive intensity of Corsican polyphonic music.

Admission is free.

Saorge: an afternoon and evening of live music

In Saorge, Saturday, September 12 offers two musical highlights.

At 6:00 pm, the Parvis de la chapelle de Maurion hosts the Apéro-Concert avec le Hot Hot Club de Saorge. The event begins with a shared aperitif at 6:00 pm, followed by the concert at 7:00 pm.

The line-up features Maxime Boudier on guitar and vocals, Jérémy Pennequin, Leo Ravasi on double bass and Pascal Chicaud on drums. Admission is free, and the event celebrates the end of the musicians’ residency at the Maurion holiday accommodation.

Later that evening, at 8:00 pm, the action moves to Le Heinz Café, Place Ciapagne, where the trio Blues Voltage will perform. The group specialises in blues and rock covers from the 1970s, with drinks and food available on the venue’s terrace.

Admission is free.

Sospel combines wellbeing, cinema and reflection

Saturday in Sospel offers a quieter and more reflective programme.

At 5:00 pm, the Foyer rural hosts the workshop Aller à la rencontre de son âme, led by Valérie Seguin, author of the book of the same name. The session runs from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and focuses on introspection and reconnecting with one’s inner self.

At 6:30 pm, at the Chapelle des Pénitents Rouges – Place Saint-Michel, visitors can attend a screening of “L’âme : L’Au-delà et l’Invisible”.

The documentary explores the concepts of the afterlife and the invisible through testimonies and reflections from doctors, psychiatrists, writers, mediums and journalists. The screening, organised in cooperation with the association Bien vivre avec soi-même, will be followed by a discussion with the director.

Tickets cost €5.

History and culture in the Mercantour valleys

At Roquebillière, Saturday, September 12 at 5:30 pm, the Salle de la Mairie will host a talk by Gérard Geist presenting his new book, 16 dates qui font l’histoire du Comté de Nice aux Alpes-Maritimes.

The event is part of the Les Samedis de l’Amont series and admission is free.

In Saint-Martin-Vésubie, meanwhile, the Forum des associations will bring together local organisations and associations. The event takes place at Place du Général de Gaulle, in front of the town hall, and admission is free. The official agenda does not currently specify a detailed timetable, so visitors are advised to check with the organisers before travelling.

In the Valdeblore-La Colmiane area, September 12 also brings a number of outdoor activities, including the Val de l’Air paragliding festival, a conference focused on animals and Amerindian medicine, and a Fishing Day at Lac de La Colmiane.

The fishing event runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the lake and forms part of the Junior Fishing Tour and the departmental fishing championship, with qualification for the regional final. A fishing licence and advance booking are required. The event is free and may be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

Sunday, September 13: markets, agriculture and local traditions

Sunday morning begins early in Beausoleil, where the Braderie des Moneghetti takes place from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm along avenue Paul Doumer.

The popular street sale transforms the area into an open-air shopping destination, with local traders, entertainment and food options. Admission is free, and parking and other services are available nearby. As with many outdoor events, the programme is subject to weather conditions.

In Breil-sur-Roya, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Place Biancheri hosts a traditional Vide-grenier, or French-style flea market.

Visitors can browse second-hand goods, vintage objects and miscellaneous treasures while enjoying a relaxed day in the village. Refreshments, including crêpes, will also be available. Those wishing to set up a stall can do so for €10, with identification required for registration.

Sospel celebrates local agriculture

One of Sunday’s most distinctive events is the Fête Agricole de Sospel, taking place from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Place des Platanes.

The festival celebrates agriculture and local products, with honey, olive-based specialities, craft beer, local cheeses, handmade goods and agricultural equipment on display. There will also be numerous activities for visitors of all ages.

Admission is free and the event is suitable for families. Animals are welcome.

The festival will also feature Bar à Custom “Les Folies de Jaja”, a creative customisation activity offering personalised T-shirts, caps, bags and pouches using DTF printing and patches. The activity does not have a separate timetable and will be available throughout the Fête Agricole during the day.

Sospel will also host the Troc vert, an initiative devoted to exchanging and sharing seeds, plants, trees, gardening tools and gardening-related books.

Taking place at Place des Platanes, the event is free and is organised by the association L’Hort des Simples. Its philosophy is based on free exchange, sharing and reuse. A seed library is also available at the Sospel media library.

The official listing does not currently provide a detailed timetable for the event.

A weekend that captures the many faces of the French Riviera

The events taking place on September 12 and 13, 2026 are a reminder that the French Riviera extends far beyond its familiar image of beaches, yachts and glamorous seaside resorts.

Within just a few dozen kilometres, visitors can move from the elegance of historic automobiles in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to classical music in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, from wellness activities in Èze to agricultural traditions in Sospel, and from the Mediterranean coast to the villages of the Roya Valley, where traditional crafts, community events and local identity remain deeply rooted.

For anyone planning a trip to the French Riviera on the weekend of September 12 and 13, 2026, the choice ultimately depends on the type of experience they are looking for: classic cars and glamour on the coast, concerts and culture in Beaulieu, nature and traditional heritage inland, or local markets and village celebrations in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Before travelling, it is always advisable to check for last-minute changes, particularly for outdoor events, and to book in advance for activities requiring registration or limited places.