For the first time in its history, Festival Croisements—the largest French cultural festival abroad—launches its 2025 edition in South China, with an ambitious program that sets sail from Shenzhen on April 11.
Following a landmark year in 2024, which marked 60 years of diplomatic ties between France and China, this year’s festival ushers in a new cycle of artistic encounters, bridging borders through bold, multidisciplinary works.
The opening show is nothing short of spectacular: 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,' a visually stunning adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic novel directed by Christian Hecq and Valérie Lesort.
This poetic piece blends puppetry and inventive staging to deliver an immersive underwater voyage—one that’s not only theatrical but thematically timely, echoing calls for ocean preservation ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference this June in Nice.
As the 19th edition of the festival rolls out across China, audiences can expect a rich and diverse program spotlighting contemporary French creativity in all its forms—from fine art and photography to jewelry, performance, and orchestral music.
Some of France’s most prestigious institutions are joining the lineup this year:
Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, and the Consortium of Dijon will offer new perspectives on Impressionism, modernity, and visual arts.
Works by artists such as Fabrice Hyber, Nathanaëlle Herbelin, and Chloé Silbano will bring fresh and experimental voices to Chinese audiences.
Photography lovers can look forward to powerful narratives from the La Grande Commande pour le Photojournalisme awardees.
Adding a sparkle of Parisian elegance, the Comédie-Française will present an exquisite exhibition of stage jewelry, bridging the worlds of design and drama.
Meanwhile, French performing arts will take center stage, with bold and thought-provoking productions from Philippe Quesne, David Bobée, and Maguy Marin.
For younger audiences, the festival has also curated a range of family-friendly performances.
On the music front, classical fans are in for a treat.
The Orchestre National de France and the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal of Château de Versailles will tour major Chinese cities, bringing with them the grandeur of French musical tradition.
Fan favorites are also making a comeback:
The Fête de la Musique.
The Panorama of French Cinema.
The bubbly Fête des Bulles.
And immersive experience with 'Paris 1874,' which whisk visitors back to the golden age of 19th-century Paris.
Since its founding in 2006, Festival Croisements has become a cornerstone of cultural exchange, not only bringing French art to China but also cultivating meaningful collaboration between the two nations’ artists and institutions.
Let's take a look at what is in store for the Festival Croisements 2025 in the Greater Bay Area.
Nathanaëlle Herbelin
French artist Nathanaëlle Herbelin unveils a heartfelt exhibition born from her 2024 residency in Shunde with the He Art Museum, where scenes of everyday life—festivals, streets, and residents—blend with her earlier works to create an intimate portrait of her time in China.
Until June 8, 2025
He Art Museum, No.6 Yixing Lu, Shunde, Foshan 佛山市顺德区怡兴路6号和美术馆
A Night with the Impressionists: Paris 1874
Step into Paris 1874 in this immersive VR experience and witness the first Impressionist exhibition through the eyes of young Monet, Renoir, and Degas—brought to life with the support of Musée d’Orsay and leading VR experts.
From June 18, 2025
TMP Immersive Expedition Center, Sea World Area D, Nanshan 深圳市南山区蛇口海上世界D区船头广场博新全宇宙沉浸式探索中心
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
A magical adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic unfolds with whimsical puppets by Comédie-Française’s Christian Hecq and artist Valérie Lesort, performed by an all-Chinese cast in this cross-cultural production co-created with the Hong Kong Arts Festival.
April 11 & 12, 2025
MixC Theater, No.19 Kefa Lu, 2/F Shenzhen MixC World, Nanshan 深圳万象天地华润置地大厦D座2楼
The Royal Opera of Versailles Orchestra
Following a sold-out 2024 tour, the Royal Opera Orchestra of Versailles returns with a dazzling baroque program on the legendary castrati, featuring three world-renowned countertenors: Filippo Mineccia, Samuel Mariño, and Meili Li.
June 1, 2025
Guangming Culture and Art Center, Intersection of Chuangtou Lu and Guangguang Lu, Guangming 光明区创投路与观光路交叉口
June 2, 2025
Guangzhou Opera House, No.1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe 天河区珠江新城珠江西路1号
Fête de la Musique 2025
Get ready to dance, sing, and celebrate as Fête de la Musique returns to China with free concerts across genres—jazz, rock, pop, classical, and more—bringing 300,000 spectators and 1.85 million livestream viewers together in 2024 alone.
June 19-29, 2025
Various events in Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Panorama of French Cinema 2025
Catch the 21st edition of Panorama du Cinéma Français, where icons like Isabelle Huppert and Zhao Tao headline a vibrant film lineup across China, joined by celebrated directors for live talks on hits like The Three Musketeers - Part II: Milady and The Count of Monte-Cristo.
From April to June 2025
Cinemas across China
READ MORE: Ultimate Guide to Booking Cinema Tickets in China
Fête des Bulles
This June, Fête des Bulles unites French and Chinese comic artists for its ninth edition with live sketching, workshops, and signings—celebrating creativity in motion as three acclaimed French graphic novelists tour cities across China.
June 7-15, 2025
Cities across China
Stay tuned for more exciting programs by following our WeChat official account at ThatsGBA.
[Cover image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou]
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