Traditional festivals folklore and fairs Midi-Pyrénées

Organized by the Comité des fêtes de Mirepoix, the bandas festival and its travelling brass bands bring this pretty historic town to life in June. Percussions and bass drums echo through the streets, while young and old dance to the sound of trumpets. Throughout the evening, five bandas will parade around the cafés and the Place du Maréchal Leclerc, bringing joy and good humor to all. For one of the highlights of the summer, get together with family and friends to enjoy these festive musical events!

Transhumance, from the Latin "trans" (beyond) and "humus" (earth, country), is the summer migration of herds to richer, greener lands, such as the Pyrenean estives. Every year, a major pastoral festival is held here, where you too can accompany the herds of sheep, cows and horses through the mountain villages. Your journey will be littered with entertainment, traditional meals and folk shows. An unforgettable experience immersed in the traditions of the Ariège!

Dive back in time and discover Montséret in the Middle Ages for a day! Rent a costume on site and immerse yourself among the villagers to enjoy a wide range of activities that will delight young and old alike: armory stands at the encampment of the medieval troupe La Garde de l'Alaric, combat demonstrations and initiation, storytelling, exhibitions, wooden games, old-time craftsman stands, calligraphy initiation, donkey rides... Total immersion guaranteed!

This family festival in Saint-Jean-du-Gard brings together lovers of traditional music and dance. In front of the stage, you can join the ball and waltz to your heart's content, accompanied by an orchestra. In the village, there's plenty to do: music and dance workshops, a luthiers' fair (the largest exhibition of instrument makers in the south of France), conferences, musical street walks, concerts... A truly festive weekend!

In the Hérault region of France, this original event puts fougasse in the spotlight! You know, that southern bread with its soft crust and thick, chewy crumb. For two days, you can dance the baleti, jump over the Saint-Jean fire to the beat of the drums, sing and enjoy an aperitif at the concerts, learn how to make your own fougasse... The collective organizers invite you to come and enjoy some fatty fougasse, then burn off a few calories while enjoying this crazy, extravagant but fantastic program!

In the Lot region, the annual fête votive takes place in mid-July. First come the aubades to the locals, then the festive entertainment for young and old: a convivial aperitif, waltzes, bourrées and farandoles at the traditional ball, games and funfair, gourmet market, concert by a local band, fireworks... Three days of festivities in one of France's most beautiful villages!

Organized by the Aquí l'Òc association, the Festival Escambis ("exchanges" in Occitan) aims to facilitate encounters by appealing to a wide audience, even those who don't speak Occitan! This original festival promotes cultural diversity in a friendly, festive atmosphere, in convivéncia, the art of living together. You'll be able to enjoy a wide-ranging program, accessible to all, in fields as diverse as music, song, dance, crafts, sport, literature, theater, storytelling...

Every summer, this magnificent medieval bastide hosts a 4-day local festival. After the presentation of the keys to the town, a grand aperitif is held, followed by a country dance demonstration, a night hike and a musical meal. The rest of the weekend is just as lively: numerous traditional meals and barbecues, pétanque competitions, children's games and funfair, landaise race and disco ball. A program rich in color, emotion and conviviality, not to be missed!

For a colorful, family-friendly festival, come to Uzès at the beginning of August! Numerous festive events will delight young and old for 4 days: pétanque, fishing and belote competitions, manades competitions, cycling grand prix, pégoulades, street concerts, bodegas, parades, traditional meals, electro parties and open-air dances... The festive weekend culminates in a grand mayor's dinner with live music, and an evening at the Uzès arena with the traditional bullfighting pool. Sensational!

In the Gard region, Garons town council joins forces with Le Mistral bullfighting club to offer a wide range of events for the fête votive at the end of June. It's an opportunity to get together with family and friends for a weekend of festive entertainment. The festivities kick off with the pégoulade (opening parade of the féria with floats) and continue with free olympiads, traditional meals, bandas and peña entertainment, the famous swimming pool bull show, aperitifs and concerts. An unmissable event!

The village of Prats de Mollo la Preste is every year the theater of a traditional and singular carnival. To celebrate the imminent return of spring, the villagers disguise themselves as bears, the emblematic animal of the region. They put on a sheepskin and cover themselves with soot. Armed with clubs, these bears start a wild saraband and lead in a crazy farandole. Three days of carnival festivities including the parade of the Carnival Majesties.

On the^1st weekend of July, the Escota é Minja association ("listen and eat", in Occitan) has a motto: amortis la television, bèu un còp e bolèga-te! ("turn off the TV, have a drink and get moving!"). It's more than just a festival, it's an annual event that promotes Occitan culture, intergenerational links and the art of living, gastronomy and sustainable development. For two days, you can enjoy free concerts for young and old, as well as traditional and contemporary music in a festive and convivial atmosphere.

In the mountains of the Val d'Azun, the En Cadence association organizes this annual festival of traditional music and dance. Locals and lovers of Occitan culture come together for this event, for various music and dance workshops and courses, but above all for the ball! Over the course of several days, you'll sing, dance, enjoy exhibitions of lutherie and instrument making, a storytelling stroll, bowling demonstrations and a local producers' market. A total immersion in local culture!

In the small Ariège village of Saurat, the Festen'Oc festival aims to be a warm and festive showcase for Occitan culture. Four days to discover or rediscover this culture in all its forms, thanks to a full program: traditional ball, aperitifs and local meals, conferences, street music, book and old games fair, traditional market, dance courses, singing workshops, film screenings in Occitan, theater... Conviviality, good humor and tradition are the order of the day!

Every summer, the Trad'Estiu association organizes its festival of the same name. With the aim of promoting and perpetuating Occitan culture and traditions, the collective organizes events for young and old alike. For 4 days, the town of Foix comes alive with trad'apéros, free trad' balls with Occitan orchestras, wooden games, traditional dance shows... And to immerse yourself even further, you can also enjoy a play in Occitan with French subtitles, and a tour of Foix in Occitan!

The Lavender Festival has been reviving Quercy lavender since 2018, and has enabled the village of Martel and the surrounding area to see new lavender growers set up shop. Breathe in these voluptuous scents through the streets all weekend long! You'll be able to take part in a wide range of workshops on picking, distilling and collective planting of lavender. You can also enjoy a natural market with local producers or a musical aperitif!

The Transhumance festival brings life to the small village of Seix in June. You too can accompany the herds (sheep, cattle, horses, Mérens) into the mountains on five different itineraries during this traditional rendezvous. Don't miss one of the highlights of the weekend in the heart of the village: the Grand Parade of the herds, with bandas and folk groups. And to round off the day, join in the Shepherds' Meal with live music!

Cubières-sur-Cinoble takes you back to the 1900s for a day. You'll be able to retrace the lives of your grandparents and great-grandparents, as they lived through the 4 seasons, with demonstrations and activities based on working the land. The villagers invite you to come and discover the prowess of the trades of yesteryear: pen-and-ink writing, vintage vehicles, clog-makers, bakers, mills, hooping, wheat threshing, washerwomen... a veritable open-air museum, accompanied by entertainment, a festive meal and a traditional dance.

Firmly rooted in the traditions of Vallespir, this festival attracts a crazy world every year. In the pagan ritual of the passage from winter to spring, two men dressed as bears enter the village, chasing onlookers and terrorizing young girls. The hunters then organize a hunt and the chase begins through the streets of the village until the final capture and the mock execution... while the crowd celebrates and dances. Unique and fantastic!

In Castelnau-Barbarens, we always look forward to the famous Rondèu de Castelnau, which brings Gascon music performances to the medieval streets around the church, as well as balls and meals where everyone gathers in contagious good spirits! The festival puts regional culture in the spotlight, with traditional dance and music workshops, dance demonstrations and concerts by local groups. Get ready for a great time of conviviality, culture and joie de vivre!

In February of each year, 3 Catalan villages in the Pyrénées-Orientales region celebrate a very old carnival festival, which has now become a traditional festival: the Bear Festival. The origin of these festivities lies in the legend of a ferocious bear who, in search of a mate, decides to kidnap a local girl. In Arles-sur-Tech, Prats-de-Mollo-La-Preste and Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans, you'll have the chance to attend a unique, festive and transgressive event in the heart of the Catalan countryside, where you can rediscover local customs such as the sardana.

Every year, the town of Port-La Nouvelle comes alive for its anniversary! Celebrated on 21 July - the date on which the commune was officially proclaimed in 1844 - it is punctuated by musical entertainment and an impressive firework display. While waiting for the first bursts of light around 10.30pm, the curious can count on the Trait d'union Périer band to provide the atmosphere from the Place Saint-Charles.

This religious festival takes place on the first Sunday of the Votive Festival of Mauguio. During this event, the 15 year old girls take the ribbon for the first time. On Sunday morning, a mass is said in Provençal and offerings are offered on the altar. At the exit, the blessed bread is distributed to the faithful and to the passers-by. In the past, this ceremony signified the entry into the world of women. They could then wear the festive costume: the lace chapel and its muslin fichu, the long skirt and especially the velvet ribbon.

Each year, Palavas-les-Flots celebrates the sea during a week-long feria. The beaches and arenas of the city gather the "festayres" of the region who come to eat, dance and sing traditional local songs. The feria is also a time for bullfighting shows with the Camargue races. Although a little less frequented, the fall feria is still worth a visit with its bodegas, abrivados on the beach, races and various games.

Traditionally festive, Nogaro organizes numerous events over 4 days during its fête votive: funfair, lively bodega, pétanque and fishing competitions, traditional aperitifs and meals, interville bullfighting games between Nogaro and neighboring Riscle in the arenas, hiking and horse-riding, horse-drawn carriage rides, acrobatic displays, humorous parade and flower parade, garage sale and regional produce fair, Landes races, cow release in the streets, fireworks and disco. An event to remember!

You thought bandas were the preserve of the Landes and Basque regions? The Hautes-Pyrénées have long since adopted the tradition, and now have their own festival! Pierrefitte-Nestalas resounds to the sound of bass drums and brass instruments played by 300 musicians before the eyes of over 8,000 spectators. Passe-rue, bodegas and parades form a joyful and noisy common thread, while everywhere it's time for fun: tug-of-war, grand Paquito, dances and gourmet stalls... A colorful and emotional event that will leave you with wonderful memories!

Since 2002, the Identi'Cat festival has been festively promoted by the Baotenca Aire Nou association in Baho, in the name of the "normality" of the Catalan language and culture in northern Catalonia. Beginning in Pézillà and ending in Baho, the festival celebrates the vigor of the Catalan language and the richness of the culture of the Catalan lands, with an exceptional program free and open to all: theater, concerts, shows, dances, correfocs, Catalan giants, parades... An authentic, committed festival not to be missed!

In the Marcillac valley, Saint-Bourrou is one of the most popular events of the year, and not to be missed! Traditionally, it's all about celebrating Saint Bourrou, the town's patron saint, and blessing the vine buds. For 4 days, a funfair brings the village to life, while a host of events take place in the streets, including free tastings of local wines and products, traditional meals, a winegrowers' parade, enthronements, mass, concerts... A convivial rendez-vous immersed in tradition!

Proud of its Occitan culture, Villefranche is a lively, festive city. One of the most important events for Villefranchois takes place at the end of June, on Saint John's Day. Corso fleuri and float parades, bandas in the squares and streets, traditional musical groups from all over Europe, parades of majorettes and folk groups, not forgetting the great funfair... The town dances and marvels during these 3 days of festivities.

In the Jardin des Tilleuls in Lourdes, the town comes alive for several days of festivities. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy a festive weekend with a wide range of events, including concerts, recreational afternoons and activities for children, traditional dances... All aimed at a wide audience. In the garden, "casetas" are set up for this warm, intergenerational festival, with food and refreshment stands run by local merchants. It's sure to be a convivial occasion!

The Paroles Gabales association and the FDSEA are organizing the Fête des Pâturages to give everyone a chance to discover the world of agriculture. Throughout the day, you'll be able to discover the animals of the Lozère farms and meet cows, calves, sheep, lambs, goats, horses, donkeys, rabbits... as well as enjoy demonstrations of local know-how (haymaking, sheep shearing, wood sawing, herd dog training...), traditional dances, an artisan farmers' market with beautiful local products and entertainment for children.

The transhumance is a traditional and convivial event, eagerly awaited by thousands of people every year. It's a celebration of the herds' ascent to the pastures and high plateaus for the summer, when the grass is more tender. If you'd like to make the most of this unique day, join us at 4:30 a.m. for a hike and an old-fashioned breakfast. Then welcome the herdsmen and their flocks to Mont Lozère and take part in the many traditional events!

This festival re-enacts a key tradition in medieval history: "Las Claus de La Paumo" (9th and 13th centuries). At the time, the lord of the village had to take an oath before a monk delegated by the abbey of Lagrasse. The monk then gave him the keys to the village for a year, and in exchange, he promised the protection of the city. A great celebration would then follow... Since 2002, La Palme has revived this tradition! At the end of the ceremony, it's time to celebrate! On the program: bandas, bodegas, street shows and a closing ball.

Puy-l'Évêque has a great program in store for you at its fête votive! Gourmet market with music, jet-ski baptism and Tyrolean traverse of the Lot, rafting, fishing and pétanque competitions, cycling grand prix, children's games, tapas evening, dinner on the banks of the Lot and fireworks, grand ball and concerts... There's plenty of fun and festive entertainment for you to enjoy over 3 days. The Comité des fêtes has something for all tastes and ages!

The Mescladis Festival is the name given to the festivities in Brassac-sur-Agout, in the Tarn region of France. For 4 days, all generations come together, and all kinds of music mix in a friendly, crazy atmosphere. Combined with rock bands, traditional bals variétés or musettes and other bandas and brass bands that set the streets alight during the day, the concerts give the Mescladis Festival a unique flavour. A summer rendezvous not to be missed!

Not far from Lake Pareloup on the Lévézou plateau, the village of Salles-Curan comes alive for the Saint Loup festival! Come and enjoy three days of southern traditions, with festive and convivial events for young and old: quine, aperitif-concert and Aveyron tapas, pétanque competition, garage sale, traditional show, country meal, brasucade with bandas, rodeo with mechanical bull and belly-slides... Come and enjoy this highlight of Aveyron summer with friends and family!

L'Isle-Jourdain gets festive in July! Organized by the Comité des Fêtes, the festivities are as varied as they are festive: funfair, merry-go-rounds, numerous food stalls and refreshment stands in local colors, pétanque and fishing competitions, traditional dances with live bands on the Esplanade des Pyrénées square... You can also enjoy the fireworks display at the Grand Lac to round off the festivities! All in all, it's a great way to enjoy the festival with family and friends.

A firm favorite with Castrais residents, the Saint-Jean festival is built around the traditional bell-ringing of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Platé carillon, traditional instruments and music, and Occitan dances and songs. The farmers' market will be accompanied by music from the craba, the large bagpipes of the Montagne Noire, and the graile, the oboe of the Monts de Lacaune and Sidobre. Join in the great Occitan ball, with its farandoles and branles, interrupted at nightfall by the traditional bonfire around which the crowd dances to the sound of the Bufarèls!

Saint-Chély-d'Apcher holds its traditional annual festival at the beginning of August, in a friendly, family atmosphere. Join us at the Foirail for the funfair, and in the streets of the town for the many events on offer: concerts, inflatable games, giant table soccer, producers' "musette" dinner and traditional ball, vintage car exhibitions, soapbox raid, street parade, fireworks display... A sensational weekend!

The Festa Major, or "great festival" in Catalan, is a very popular festival in the towns and villages of the Pyrénées Orientales. In Banuyls, you'll find a host of festive events: a creators' market, a smugglers' sardinade, a grand ball, sardanas, free rowing lessons, parades, a horse-drawn carriage race and the Carnival night cavalcade, a masked ball and a concert... Five days for a wonderful immersion in Catalan culture, which we invite you to enjoy with friends or family!

Auvillar celebrates its patron saint on Trinity Sunday. The town comes alive, and winegrowers gather with musicians and folk groups. After the planting of the Mai, a gourmet meal awaits you at the Halle, followed by the procession of the Arbudets with music, and a grand ball. The next day, you'll wake up to the sound of cannon fire, as village children sell flowers and older children enjoy the farmers' market. The festivities continue with mass, bandas, processions, traditional dances and a convivial meal.

Every June for the past 30 years, the village of Anglars has been transformed into a living museum as part of its fête votive. over the course of an afternoon, 350 extras dress up in costumes to bring back to life old trades, everyday scenes, typical characters and village life, in a show that's sure to be enjoyed by all. The free Anglars festival attracts around 7,000 people, including over 5,000 for the Sunday show. Other weekend events include a concert by a local band, an aperitif with bandas, a traditional lunch, fireworks and a bal musette.

August 16 is the annual celebration of Montpellier's patron saint, Saint Roch, in the city of his birth. Montpellier organizes the Fêtes de la Saint Roch, an event open to all, welcoming not only thousands of pilgrims, but also visitors and tourists from all over the world. On the program for these festive days: a tour dedicated to Saint Roch with Tourist Office guides, an international symposium, processions and liturgical events, festive street entertainment and concerts.

On the Côte Vermeille, Banyuls celebrates Catalan culture in July. The festival kicks off with a parade of musical groups accompanied by the impressive Capgrossos Torroellencs, a 400-year-old tradition from Torroella-de-Montgri. Enjoy this joyous cavalcade to the sound of the gralla along the route. Don't miss the sardanes that liven up the streets, the many concerts and the seaside Catalan market. The festivities end with a grand fireworks display. A family event that celebrates Catalan traditions!

Originally a religious festival in praise of Carmaux's patron saint, La Saint Privat has been a key summer event in Carmaux for over 100 years. Popular and open to all, numerous events are organized for the enjoyment of Carmausines, Carmausins and visitors alike: Bodéga, cavalcade and nocturne, pétanque competition, fireworks display, concerts and rides, garage sales, cycle race... Join us for 4 days in August to celebrate in the Tarn style, with family and friends!

The origins of this great traditional festival lie in the celebrations surrounding the arrival of the relics of the town's patron saint in 1701. Today, the Saint-Vincent festivities in Collioure have become the highlight of Collioure life. Over the course of 5 days, locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy a wide range of entertainment: sea processions in Catalan boats, water games, concerts and bandas, balls, sardanas, street arts... not forgetting the grandiose fireworks display launched over the bay!