Launched in 2021, the French Cinema Festival in Aix-les-Bains quickly established itself as one of the region's major cultural events and now draws close to 10,000 festival-goers each year.
A festival that pairs cinema and gastronomy
France has no shortage of film festivals, yet the Aix-les-Bains edition stands out with a distinctive identity: pairing the seventh art with fine dining. A combination that may seem unexpected at first, but rests on shared values. Cinema and cuisine both tell stories, convey emotions and showcase the craft of the people who bring them to life.
The 2026 edition will thus bring together nearly 185 VIP guests from the worlds of cinema, gastronomy and culture. Among them:
- Dany Boon
- Mathilde Seigner
- Alex Lutz
- André Dussollier
- Bernard Campan
- Estelle Lefébure
- Franck Dubosc
- Claude Lelouch
- Camille Lou
Six days in the city's emblematic venues
For six days, the Casino Grand Cercle, the Centre des Congrès and several emblematic venues such as the Château de Tresserve, the Maison des Pêcheurs and the Hôtel L'Incomparable will host screenings, talks and gastronomic events. Premieres, award ceremonies, exchanges with film crews, masterclasses and exceptional dinners will pace an edition that confirms, year after year, its ambition to make culture accessible in a convivial and elegant setting.
On the 2026 programme:
- 8 preview screenings
- 14 masterclasses and documentaries
- 9 trophies awarded by the public
The AIXcellences and the films in competition
One of the festival's highlights remains the presentation of the eight AIXcellences, the event's emblematic awards. This year, five films are in competition:
- La Maison de nos rêves, by Claude Zidi Jr. (opening film)
- La Startup, by Gilles Graveleau
- Un grand raccourci, by Armand Foëx and Clément Devilliers
- Mémoire de fille, by Judith Godrèche
- Deviens génial, by Léo Grandperret
The festival will close with a screening of Les Caprices de l'Enfant Roi, directed by Michel Leclerc.
Francis Huster, patron of this 5th edition
For this 5th edition, the festival has chosen Francis Huster as its patron. A leading figure of the French cultural scene, he will take part in several of the event's highlights. Alongside him, many personalities are expected throughout the week, including Manu Payet, Judith Godrèche, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Fred Testot, Kev Adams, Chantal Ladesou, Thierry Frémont and Claude Zidi Jr.
Gastronomy at the heart of the celebration
Gastronomy naturally holds a central place in the festival's identity. This year, several great names of French cuisine will be present, starting with Marc Veyrat, an icon of Savoyard gastronomy. The public will also be able to meet Luana and Alessandro Belmondo, who will take part in the various gastronomic events held during the week. Dinners, encounters and cooking demonstrations will reveal another facet of the French art de vivre, in venues that also contribute to the area's gastronomic reputation.
Practical information
- Dates: 1 to 6 June 2026
- Venues: Casino Grand Cercle, Centre des Congrès, Château de Tresserve, Maison des Pêcheurs and Hôtel L'Incomparable
- Tickets and full programme: on the festival's official website
- Access: Aix-les-Bains town centre, with the train station and car parks nearby
Aix-les-Bains, a way of life that appeals
Over the years, the French Cinema & Gastronomy Festival has become much more than a simple cultural event. It helps shine a light on an area that knows how to combine heritage, gastronomy, culture and quality of life. For one week, Aix-les-Bains becomes a place of encounters and exchanges where residents, visitors, artists and professionals share the same passion for creation and discovery.
Through this now unmissable event, Aix-les-Bains confirms its ability to combine major events, heritage and a remarkable living environment. A distinctive identity that adds to the town's charm and appeal, and that also carries over to the local property market. At the BARNES Aix-les-Bains real estate agency, this is how we support many buyers who, drawn by this art de vivre and this enchanting lakeside setting, decide to settle here or acquire a pied-à-terre. Perhaps you too will find what you are looking for among our selection of luxury properties for sale in Aix-les-Bains or around Lake Bourget.
