Festivals and cultural events Midi-Pyrénées

Over the years, the Festival de Thau, created in 2015, continues to grow especially with jazz fans. In places as varied as the Valmagne Abbey, scenes set up in Bouzigues, Frontignan or Mèze, it offers in the last two weeks of July countless concerts of quality. In 2017, for example, we saw Emma Ndobo, Betty Argo, Soyuzz, the White Lady and many others. Names that may not appeal to you, but which fans of jazz and mixed music or Latin rhythms are familiar with. It should also be noted that the Jazzàmèze association, on the initiative of the project, is composed entirely of volunteers. A dancing festival with hot rhythms, in short, perfect for summer. It is attracting more and more people. Will this small festival become a big one? Given the quality of the programming, it's highly possible!

Born in Pézenas, Boby Lapointe was nicknamed "the king of puns". A talented artist, he marked the history of French chanson with his astonishing lyrics (Le Poisson Fa, Ta Katie T'a Quitté...). Every year, for more than 20 years, his hometown has paid tribute to him during a friendly event. During the Printival festival, authors, composers and songwriters perpetuate her spirit. On this occasion, the town centre of Pézenas is used as a stage for confirmed and young talented singers, shows for young audiences, offbeat exhibitions and events.

For four days, the emblematic places of the city of Uzès will dance; at the Ombrière, the Duchy park, the Temple garden, the courtyard of the Town Hall, the old wash house, the Eure valley or the Marronniers promenade. The Uzès Danse festival is a highlight of the season and allows us to put forward choreographers who are little known in France. You will be able to discover new forms and experimental approaches of dance, but also to take part in workshops of choreographic practice proposed by the artists of the festival.

For two days, Gourdon is transformed into a medieval village. The companions of the Chêne Ardent set up the tents of the medieval camp, complete with wooden games, weapons room and candy catapult, while nearby, knights' fights, a chivalry tournament and an equestrian acrobatics show take place. As you stroll along, you'll come across artisan stalls, poetic and comic performances, and end your journey back in time with a festive hard folk concert!

The new children's festival circulates throughout the department with its panoply of shows in the Spring. In 15 communes are proposed about thirty performances: theatre, storytelling, music or sports activities. The tour starts at the Domaine départemental de Bayssan in Béziers, which hosts the festival for a weekend in a convivial setting with its gardens, its big top or the Saint-Félix church.

Created in 2012 by two musicians in love with the medieval site of Malzieu, the festival offers every year an eclectic program of music of all styles, from baroque to jazz, in church or outdoor. At concerts and musical theater performances in the evening, all public workshops are added to savor more knowledge of the festival's flagship concerts and to exchange between professionals and music lovers.

This international short film competition has been held every year since 1988 in Vebron, originally sponsored by big names in the entertainment industry. Amateurs and professionals can present their creations in formats of up to 30 minutes, be it documentary, fiction, animation or music video to the association L'Écran cévenol which organises the event. A friendly and creative event that would be a shame to miss.

Situated one hour from Agen and one and a half hours from Toulouse, Fleurance is a charming Gascon bastide town which covers 43.32 km² and has 6,419 inhabitants, making it the fourth largest town in the Gers department in terms of population (behind Auch, Condom and L'Isle Jourdain). Member of the Community of Communes of the Lomagne Gersoise and Pays Portes de Gascogne, the town is also the capital of the canton. It is a particularly dynamic city, with many festivities that make the richness and dynamism of the town: the carnival in April, the cuivros foliz in July, the Fleurance astronomy festival in August, not forgetting the very beautiful programme of the cultural season. Fleurance has also developed a remarkable economic and commercial life.

The famous promenade des Barques, along the Canal de la Robine, has its festival! "Barques en scène" is the great festive event of the end of summer in the heart of the historical center of Narbonne. Organized over three days, it allows you to discover the city to the rhythm of bodegas and street arts. Every evening, a free concert is programmed on the big stage of the Cours Mirabeau, with known or to be discovered artists, wanderings and colored performances for all public.

On the first Sunday in August, and even from Saturday onwards, the city of Eauze lives to the rhythm of comics through a festival that welcomes many renowned French and foreign authors every year. A key meeting place for lovers of quality bubbles, it attracts around 5,000 people and has become an essential event. In 2019, for the 28th anniversary of the festival, many confirmed artists and emerging talents will once again be present. The Festival will pay tribute to Tintin, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

The city of Toulouse has been a leader in the art of animation for many years now. The region's studios are proof of this, with series and feature-length films that have been successful both in France and abroad! Established in Toulouse since 2012, Cartoon Forum is the co-production and pitching event that brings together European animation TV series professionals in the Pink City. It's an opportunity for project developers to present their projects to a wide range of potential partners from all over the world. Around 80 series in development are presented each year, and over 1,000 professionals from some 40 countries attend the event.

In November, Narbonne hosts the Rencontres d'Archéologie de la Narbonnaise, a festival devoted to archaeology in all its forms. The event is articulated around a physical and digital program composed of conferences, round tables, film screenings, exhibitions ... These days are also the occasion for the awarding of the Documentary Film Prize, the Archaeology Book Prize and the Archaeology Comic Strip Prize. On line, the curious will find books and comics on the same themes.

Launched in 2007, the "Lâcher de Percussions" festival is managed by the Narbonne-based association Le Oaï. Free and friendly, the event wakes up the streets of Saint-Pierre la Mer during three days of festivities. In total, about thirty percussive shows take place in the heart of the resort during the last weekend of June. Static or ambulatory, they allow you to discover the richness of the world's percussion. Perfect to inaugurate the summer season with a bang!

This travelling festival of Grand Narbonne was born in 2011 thanks to a partnership between the agglomeration and the communes interested in the project. Its objective is to encourage the exploration of the villages of the territory and to promote the cultural diversity of the destination. Free of charge, it is divided into two programmes: "summer", from June to September, and "autumn", from October to December. These multidisciplinary events highlight local artists from a variety of backgrounds: music, theatre, comedy, etc.

On the occasion of the Book Fair, the general public will have access to literary and artistic meetings with a hundred French and foreign authors. The clearly stated objective of this event in Narbonne is to promote and encourage access to all forms of culture for a wide audience. Signings, readings, workshops, round tables, shows, exhibitions and other events are planned during this spring weekend.

Created in 1990 by Alberte Raynaud's contemporary dance company, Garrigue Danse Rivage, the Théâtre en garrigue is a magical place that is part of the cultural heritage of Port-la-Nouvelle. Situated - as its name suggests - in the middle of nature, its dry-stone den comes alive every year during a festival. Held from mid-July to mid-August, it presents a wide range of artistic creations: dance, music, storytelling, theatre...

During the Ascension weekend, in the streets and under big tops, the festival of street arts and contemporary music presents shows and concerts, with an eclectic, high-flying program. It's organized by the Rudeboy Crew association, who create breathtakingly creative sets every year, and who also animate the entire cultural season in the Haute Vallée d'Olt. With shows, fairground games and shared meals, the team has no shortage of ideas or dynamism to liven up the cultural life around Mont Lozère.

The Festival Electro Alternativ, founded in 2005, is held in Toulouse in September. It hosts nearly people every year. It is taking place in many of Toulouse's fashionable places: Bikini, Dynamo, Dune, Cultural Bellegarde Center, Multiprise… In the programme: contemporary music. International artists, hip hop, electro-jazz or techno techno come for the occasion in Toulouse. Go online to know the programming and to buy your tickets online!

An event that has long life since it has existed since 1936. The Festival Folklorique International d 'Amélie-les-Bains celebrated its 76 th edition in 2018. Every year, it offers an exceptional plateau of 600 artists (or more) from all continents to present folk dance performances on the streets of the 1 st spa resort in the Catalan Country. A show of beauty that ends in apotheosis with a closing gala entitled «The night of continents» in the theater of greenery.

In Marvejols, this festival celebrates Occitan culture and language through the arts of song, film, literature and poetry. Free of charge, and linked to Total Festum throughout the region, you can enjoy film screenings in Occitan, storytelling, traditional meals and concerts, as well as entertainment at the stands: the multilingual story hut, the Occitan book table, free access to children's games and wooden games, sale of books in Occitan... A weekend of cultural immersion!

The "Le Printemps fait son Jazz" festival is a much-anticipated cultural event in Muret. This year's program promises to be exceptional, with talented artists such as Eleanor 5tet. The festival takes place at the Théâtre Municipal Marc Sebbah in Muret.

Rivesaltes is a town in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. Among the town's attractions is the La Reja Flamenca dance school. The school offers flamenco dance classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes are taught by experienced and passionate teachers.

La Secret Place is a concert hall located in Saint-Jean-de-Védas, near Montpellier. For over 20 years, the Tout À Fond association has been organizing rock concerts and festivals at this iconic venue. The venue hosts over 150 concerts a year and also offers free exhibitions. The Secret Place has become a gathering place for rock fans, offering musical discoveries and encounters. The association has over 8,000 members and actively contributes to the dissemination of rock music in France, with an influence throughout the south of France. TAF also offers rehearsal space, two recording studios and a music label. To support this initiative, the association has set up a crowdfunding platform where anyone can contribute in their own way.

Cinélatino, Rencontres de Toulouse - Cinémas d'Amérique Latine is a film festival held in Toulouse. It features a varied program of Latin American films, including feature-length fiction, documentaries and shorts. The festival showcases the diversity and richness of Latin American cinema, presenting recent films and previews. The films tackle political, social and cultural themes specific to Latin America. The festival also features meetings with directors, literary events, concerts and exhibitions. Screenings take place in partner cinemas in Toulouse, as well as in other cities in the Occitanie and Nouvelle Aquitaine regions.

The association was founded in 1981 by musician and artistic director Claude Sicre. The aim was to encourage the emergence of new cultural activities in the neighborhood. The association's activities are numerous: musical activities for young and old, accompaniment and direction of artists, organization of events, participation in colloquia, meetings, conferences, interventions in schools and universities... Escambiar also produces Les Nouveaux Cantadors, an Occitan group with Brazilian influences.