There’s never a bad time to visit Marseille and the south of France. In fact, the region’s temperate climate, excellent food, easygoing lifestyle and rich culture make it a prime tourist destination. However, if you plan on being in the South of France anytime in 2013, you’re in for an even bigger treat.

Marseille-Provence has been selected as European Capital of Culture in 2013, an honor bestowed on a different city or region each year. Throughout the year, hundreds of cultural and artistic events will take place in every part of the territory of Provence, including the cities of Martigues, La Ciotat, Istres, Arles, Salon de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, Gardanne, Aubagne and, of course, in the host city of Marseille. Over sixty art exhibitions, hundreds of concerts, and dozens of art and culture festivals have been scheduled for the 2013 Rendez-Vous.

The theme of the 2013 Rendez-Vous is “Sharing the South,” a nod to the culturally diverse population that inhabits this region. Fittingly, all artistic and cultural disciplines will participate in this widespread event, including contemporary dance, music, visual arts, theater, exhibitions, street performances, seminars, literature, digital art, gastronomy, cinema, photography, and the list goes on. Various communities and all of the major cultural institutions, associations, performance companies, and universities throughout the South of France will host cultural programs during 2013, many of which will be free and open to the public.

Provence, known for its lively and numerous cultural festivals, will of course, play a large role in the programming for the 2013 Rendez-Vous. The festival format will combine art and culture in an accessible fashion. The hope is that both people living in the region and those from all over the world will participate in these events and enjoy all of the cultural riches that the South of France has to offer. Three of these festivals are:

Les Rencontres d’Arles —Photographie

Les Rencontres d’Arles  (website in both French and English) is a dynamic photography festival that provides residencies for young photographers from all over Europe and the Mediterranean. A special photography exhibition and program night are being organized in conjunction with Rendez-Vous 2013.

Festival International d’Art Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence

The renowned Festival International d’Art Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence (website in both French and English) will feature several performances that are directly tied to the 2013 Rendez-Vous, which will explore the notions of culture, urban life, and place as they relate to the South of France and the Meditteranean.

Le Festival de Marseille

The Festival of Marseille  (website in both French and English) is one of the premier interdisciplinary art festivals in Europe. It explores contemporary art, both regionally and internationally (hosting artists from Tokyo, Kyoto, Montreal, New York, Vienna, London, etc.) through dance and theatrical performances, concerts, films, installations and lectures. In 2013, the exhibitions and events will be directly tied to the theme of the 2013 Rendez-Vous: “Sharing the South.”

Many of the exhibitions and concerts are still being organized. As you plan your trip, it would be a good idea to consult the 2013 Rendez-Vous online resources for the most current information.

More information (in French, for now) about the year-long event can be found online at 2013 Rendez-Vous in Marseille-Provence: Art, Music, Culture 

A bilingual (French/English) guidebook and overview of the 2013 Rendez-Vous can be downloaded in PDF format.

Written by Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com