Events on the French Riviera on September 26 and 27, 2026: what to do between Nice, Menton and the hinterland

The last weekend of September brings a particularly rich calendar of events to the French Riviera. On Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 2026, visitors can choose between trail-running competitions in the mountains of Mercantour and along the Mediterranean coast, traditional festivals, concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and family activities. It is an ideal weekend to discover not only Nice and the coastal towns, but also the villages of the Alpes-Maritimes hinterland.

From Beausoleil, Menton, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Sospel, La Brigue, Tende, Saorge, Gorbio, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Cagnes-sur-Mer, there are numerous and very different events to choose from. Variety is the common thread: culture lovers can enjoy cinema, theatre, exhibitions and concerts, while sports enthusiasts will find trail races and running events. Families can also choose from workshops, sensory activities and an entire festival dedicated to children.

Saturday, September 26: a day of culture, traditions and music

Saturday can begin in Beausoleil, where at 11:00 am, at Village Charlot, 42 avenue du Maréchal Foch, the Café citoyen will take place. This is an open meeting dedicated to everyday life and civic participation, with topics ranging from neighbourhood life and solidarity to culture, ecology, digital issues and civic engagement. Admission is free, making it an informal opportunity to exchange ideas and meet other members of the community.

Also at 11:00 am, but in Sospel, the day gets underway with the Fête de la bière, held at Place des Platanes. Dedicated to conviviality and local brewing, the event features beers from regional producers, activities for adults and children, music and entertainment throughout the day. From 11:00 am, visitors can explore a market featuring regional craft breweries, while the afternoon includes activities such as a waiters’ race and keg throwing. The gastronomic programme begins at 7:00 pm with dinner, choucroute and music by the Lyre Sospelloise, followed at 9:00 pm by a large dance party with DJ Flo. The adult menu starts at €20, while the children’s menu starts at €10. Places are limited, so booking is recommended.

In Beausoleil, also at 11:00 am, Village Charlot hosts the Snoezelen Workshop, an experience designed to encourage relaxation and sensory stimulation through lights, sounds, textures and scents. The activity takes place at 42 avenue du Maréchal Foch, is free of charge and lasts approximately one hour, from 11:00 am to noon. It is particularly suitable for families with children or anyone looking for a calm and multisensory activity.

For families staying in the Saint-Laurent-du-Var area, the morning also offers the Café Poussette – Librairie du Cap, scheduled from 9:30 to 11:00 am at Librairie du Cap in the Cap 3000 shopping centre, avenue Eugène Donadeï. The event focuses on parenting and combines a relaxed coffee or tea break with book recommendations, this time with particular attention to bedtime routines. Activities for children are also planned and registration is required.

At Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, September 26 is dedicated to plants and nature with the End-of-Summer Workshop with the Art Bonsaï Club. The event is listed in the town’s official calendar for Saturday, although no precise time is provided in the available information. Visitors interested in attending are therefore advised to check the schedule and participation requirements before travelling.

For those interested in culture, at 2:00 pm the Fontan Media Library, Chemin du Vallon du Conseil, will screen “Les héros du Louvre”, a historical drama directed by Élie Chouraqui and starring Kad Merad, Marie Gillain and Julia de Nunez. The film tells the story of Babi Maklouf Benhamou, a Louvre security guard in Paris in 1939 who becomes involved in the clandestine operation to protect the museum’s masterpieces during the German invasion. The screening is scheduled from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.

The afternoon continues in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, where at 4:00 pm the Librairie du Cap at Cap 3000 hosts the Laura Tinard Book Signing. From 4:00 to 5:30 pm, the booksellers will present a selection of titles from the rentrée littéraire, while Laura Tinard will be available to sign her book Lady Diana, ma mère et moi. Registration is required for this event as well.

Moving inland, La Brigue offers one of the weekend’s most distinctive cultural events: the Double evening “Naître et Jouir de nos corps”, at the Salle des Fêtes. The programme begins at 6:15 pm with the dance performance “Naître”, performed and directed by Daniela Tenhamm Tejos, exploring motherhood and the birth of a new identity. At 7:00 pm, a shared meal with a refreshment bar is planned, followed at 8:00 pm by the performance-conference “Jouir de nos corps”, focusing on knowledge of the body and female sexuality. Admission is free, with suggested contributions starting at €7, €10 for a balanced contribution and €13 as a supporting contribution.

At 7:00 pm, in Tende, Bar Le Comptoir Tendasque, 12 Place de la République, hosts Anthony Herbin en concert solo. The musician performs alone with nylon-string guitar, vocals and discreet rhythmic accompaniment, creating an intimate and warm atmosphere. The standard ticket price is €15.

At 7:30 pm, on the coast in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the Crypte de l’Église, boulevard du Général Leclerc, hosts “Les Elles”, a theatre performance centred on three women waiting at the same airport for the same man, Jean-Loup, a businessman nicknamed “Superman”. The situation gradually reveals relationships, jealousy, rivalry and expectations, ultimately questioning the role this man plays in the three women’s lives. Admission is €5, with the performance beginning at 7:30 pm.

The evening continues in Beausoleil, where at 8:00 pm the Centre Culturel Prince Jacques, 6 avenue du Général de Gaulle, hosts the La Cantarella Concert. The choir offers an evening devoted to music and emotion, with free admission. The event runs from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.

For rock fans, meanwhile, the destination to remember is Levens. At 8:30 pm, the Auditorium Joseph Raybaud, Place de la République, hosts The Queenshow, a tribute show dedicated to the music of Queen. Five musicians take the stage in a production designed as a tribute to the legendary band, combining energy and stage presence. The concert is expected to finish around 10:00 pm. Tickets cost €15, with reduced rates of €12 for seniors and €10 for certain categories.

Exhibitions to visit during the weekend

The weekend of September 26 and 27 is also a good opportunity to include several exhibitions in your itinerary.

In Sospel, the Médiathèque on Place Trincat hosts “Au Banquet des Gypaètes” until September 30, 2026. Dedicated to the large birds of prey of the Mercantour mountains, the exhibition features photographs by Yann Toutain and explores species such as the bearded vulture, golden eagle, griffon vulture, red kite, Egyptian vulture and cinereous vulture. The exhibition highlights their role in maintaining mountain ecosystems. Admission is free, and on Saturday, September 26, it is open from 10:00 am to noon.

In Beausoleil, the Centre Culturel Prince Héréditaire Jacques de Monaco, 6/8 avenue du Général de Gaulle, presents “Exposition éveil-enfance : le port de Beausoleil” until November 25. Designed mainly for children, the exhibition revolves around “Albatros”, a structure made of wood and cardboard that allows children to play, explore, manipulate objects and invent stories. On Saturday, September 26, the exhibition is open from 9:00 am to noon and admission is free.

In Saorge, one of the summer’s major artistic events is “Lux Aurea – Épiphanie franciscaine” by Georges Rousse, installed in the former underground washhouses of the Monastère de Saorge and available to visitors until October 31, according to the organisers’ schedule. The artwork uses sheets of gold-coloured copper applied to walls, floors and vaults. From a precise viewpoint, the composition appears as a large golden circle, simultaneously evoking the halo of Saint Francis and the sun. The installation is linked to celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi and is included in the monument’s admission ticket.

History enthusiasts can also choose the Guided and commented tour of Fort Cap-Martin in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. The Fort du Cap-Martin, at 1 allée Marie-Henriette, can be visited on Saturdays through complete guided tours lasting approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, in the 9:30 am–noon and 2:30–5:00 pm time slots. The tour explores the history of the fortification and the lives of the soldiers who occupied it. Tickets cost €7 for adults and €5 for children and students. Visitors are advised to arrive around ten minutes early and bring a jacket, as temperatures inside the fort can be cool.

Sunday, September 27: sport, books and music

Sunday morning on the French Riviera is dominated by sport.

In Gorbio, above Menton, the Trail de Gorbio takes place, one of the longest-running trail competitions in the Alpes-Maritimes. The routes cross particularly technical mountain terrain, passing Mont Gros, Cabanelles and the Col de la Madone. The 2026 edition includes a 16 km course with 900 metres of positive elevation gain, a course of approximately 9.5–10 km with 480 metres of elevation gain, as well as children’s races. The first events of the day are the hiking event at 9:30 am, the 16 km trail at 10:15 am, the 9.5 km trail at 10:45 am and the Trail Kid’s race at 11:00 am. Bib collection takes place before the starts, with parking areas available near the village.

Sunday is also marked by the Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB, an event running from September 24 to 27 and linking the Alpine hinterland with the Mediterranean coast. One of the most spectacular races is the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – Nice 20K, starting at 7:30 am on September 27 from Quai Lindbergh in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The course covers approximately 22 km with 700 metres of positive elevation gain, taking runners from Cap-Ferrat towards Villefranche-sur-Mer and the trails of Vinaigrier and Mont Boron before reaching Nice. A significant part of the route runs close to the sea.

The weekend is also dominated by the Ultra Trail Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB, taking place from September 24 to 27 and crossing an extraordinary landscape from the Mercantour mountains to the Promenade des Anglais. The longest race, the 100M, starts in Auron and climbs above 2,650 metres in the Rabuons area before descending towards the coast. The race has a maximum time limit of 50 hours. The first arrivals on the Promenade des Anglais are expected as early as Saturday, September 26, while the final competitors may arrive on Sunday afternoon.

In Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Sunday offers an ideal event for those who prefer books to competitions. The 29ème Salon du livre takes place at Place Castillon from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. The event is dedicated to meetings with authors and the discovery of books, and has become an established part of the local cultural calendar.

Nearby, also in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, the 26th edition of Les Boucles Laurentines starts at 9:00 am in front of CAP3000, avenue de Verdun. The event includes 5 km and 10 km races, both qualifying events for the French Championships, as well as competitions for children. Bib collection is available at Intersport CAP3000.

In the afternoon, the pace slows down and music takes centre stage once again. In Saorge, at 5:00 pm, the Chapelle de la Miséricorde des Pénitents noirs et rouges, 12 place Ciapagne, hosts the A cappella concert by Julie Azoulay. The artist, currently in residence at the Monastery of Saorge, presents a vocal universe combining early music, traditional influences and contemporary creation, including pieces performed in an invented language. After the concert, a shared aperitif is planned at the nearby bookshop and tea room Le Cairos. Admission is free.

A weekend for families too: the Festival de l’Enfance in Cagnes-sur-Mer

One of the most interesting events for families travelling with children is the new Festival de l’Enfance, taking place on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 at the Hippodrome de Cagnes-sur-Mer.

The event brings together more than 90 exhibitors dedicated to childhood, parenting, education, sport, culture and leisure. The programme includes shows, entertainment, creative workshops, pony activities and meetings for families. According to the published programme, the doors open at 10:00 am and activities continue until 7:00 pm on both days. Highlights include a pony parade at 11:30 am, a magic show at 2:00 pm, creative workshops at 3:30 pm and giant games at 5:00 pm.

A weekend to discover a different side of the French Riviera

September 26 and 27, 2026 reveal a French Riviera that extends far beyond the traditional image of beaches, yachts and seaside promenades. Within just a few dozen kilometres, visitors can move from the urban atmosphere of Beausoleil and Saint-Laurent-du-Var to the Alpine villages of La Brigue, Tende and Saorge, then continue towards the Mercantour trails and the races linking the mountains with the Bay of Angels.

Those looking for culture can choose from cinema, theatre, exhibitions and concerts in Fontan, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Beausoleil, Sospel and Saorge. Sports enthusiasts can follow the Trail de Gorbio, Les Boucles Laurentines or the various Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB races. Families can enjoy the Festival de l’Enfance, Café Poussette and the activities at Village Charlot, while those looking for a more convivial atmosphere can head to the Fête de la bière in Sospel.

This variety is precisely what makes the final weekend of September so interesting: in just two days, visitors can move from the sea to the mountains, from a concert in a small chapel to a trail race, from a photographic exhibition about birds of prey to a traditional festival, creating an itinerary through a less obvious and more authentic side of the French Riviera.