Traditional festivals folklore and fairs Midi-Pyrénées

In the Tarn region of France, the village of Serviès is celebrating in June. For two days, residents and visitors from neighboring towns are invited to join in the festivities: a basketball tournament open to all, traditional meals, children's games, an aperitif concert, a gathering of vintage cars and motorcycles for enthusiasts, a pétanque competition and open-air concerts. An event that the Comité des Fêtes organizes to bring generations together in a warm, shared atmosphere.

A festive and convivial program awaits you at the Lisle-sur-Tarn festivities at the end of July! The town's streets will be alive with entertainment for young and old alike: funfair, country meals, traditional dances and concerts, fishing and pétanque competitions, children's games... A summer rendezvous not to be missed, culminating in a grand pyrotechnic show fired from the banks over Lac Bellevue. Remarkable!

If you want to experience a traditional festival, come to Festiv'Marnhac in Labastide-Marnhac! The festivities kick off early with the "aubades", a tradition in which young villagers who have reached the age of 18 are accompanied by an accordionist as they go from door to door singing in their honor, in return for a drink and a donation to the Comité des fêtes. August finally sees the start of the entertainment: funfair, pétanque competition, aperitif-concerts... A time for tradition and sharing!

On a 740,000-year-old islet formed by a lava flow, a building stands just a stone's throw from the Agatha coast. In 1586, Viscount de Joyeuse seized the island and built the first fort: Fort de Brescou. The town of Agde is celebrating this remarkable edifice that watches over its coastline with a magnificent fireworks display on the fort's ramparts. See you all in August to admire the spectacle from the Old Port or the Richelieu and Rochelongue beaches!

The legend is that, on the day of Ascension of the year 719, a donkey woke up the Gignacois by its brazments while the Sarrasins were ready to invade the village. The donkey would have allowed the invasion to be postponed. Therefore, he became the totemic animal of Gignac. Every year, this picturesque event is celebrated on Ascension Day. From the day before 7:00 p. m., the donkey represented with a large armature covered with a blue dress, surmounted by a head whose jaws are noisy, is strolled in the streets surrounded by costume dancers.

"Força, Equilibri, Valor i Seny", in French: "Strength, balance, courage and wisdom", this is the motto of these men who build human towers with harmonious geometry. The Castellers, from the Catalan word "castell" (castle), are human tower builders with complex structures and different heights (some can reach the equivalent of a 5-storey building) that follow a precise code. Listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 16 November 2010, this tradition, which is certainly the most meaningful in Catalan culture, dates back to the 15th century. It is a breathtaking participatory show combining strength, agility and flexibility that most often takes place in a public square. Beyond a simple festive event, it is a philosophy of life, a demonstration of cooperation, teamwork, solidarity, self-sacrifice, concentration, courage, physical and mental strength where men, women and children, whatever their age, social origin and physical characteristics are essential to the building's elevation, each one having to trust the other before being in turn a pillar.

Purely Toulousian, the origins of the festival date back to Gallo-Roman times! Initially a festival dedicated to the dead, the fénétra, also spelled férétra, underwent several evolutions in both practice and symbolism, before becoming what it is today: a popular festival celebrating traditions. It begins with a parade, known as the passo carriero, to the Capitol, and continues for several days with song and dance performances. The costumes are superb and the atmosphere festive. A beautiful moment of jubilation and sharing.

Commonly known as the "feu de la St Jean", this festival takes place at the end of June, and the 25 or so villages of the Barousse region are faithful to it. Brandons are tree trunks that have been prepared using the same technique for decades. An inter-generational event, it brings together men who prepare for the event weeks in advance according to a precise ritual. Sometimes decorated with flowers, these trees are blessed before being burned, and the flames last until they fall. It's an opportunity for the public to share in the dancing and singing during this magnificent festive moment!

The Fête des pêcheurs et de la mer is one of Agde's major traditional festivities. In honor of Saint Pierre, patron saint of fishermen, it takes place in Agde and Grau d'Adge over two days. Mass on Saturday, followed by a parade through the streets, a ceremony in tribute to the men of the sea, blessing of the boats and a concert in the evening. On Sunday, mass at Agde's Saint-Sever church, followed by an outing to pay tribute to fallen sailors. Great moments of conviviality!

Near Toulouse, come and join us in September for the Campestral, a great country and Occitan festival open to all! Every year, the event mobilizes and unites the people of Aureville, of all generations and origins, around an original cultural project that has become a veritable institution, attracting thousands of visitors. Whether you're with friends or family, take advantage of the many events on offer: market, vintage car exhibition, multi-sport raid, touring theater in Occitan, children's ball, concerts...

This festival celebrated its 60th edition in 2019. It is one of the biggest regional folklore events. Every year it brings together around 400 artists from the five continents! All come to share their love of folk arts and traditions, in a spirit of brotherhood and equality. The main venue for the festivities is the leisure centre. A village set up for the occasion welcomes you throughout the day, where it is possible to refresh and eat. Every year, the programme mixes music and dance from places as diverse as Armenia and Brazil! A superb party.

In the mountains of the Hautes-Pyrénées, not far from Saint-Lary-Soulan, Saint-Michel's Day is celebrated in Guchan, with a day of festive and convivial events at the Espace Pastoral: bodéga, market of local craftsmen and producers, apple juice and spit-roasted cake, garage sale, free events for children, sheep competition, vintage car rally, meals, dances... The day traditionally ends with a beautiful concert under the big top, as in 2023 with the presence of Collectif Métissé!

In the past, abrivado was the term used to describe the driving of bulls from the pastures to the bullring under the watchful eye of the gardians. Today, it's a bullfighting tradition that consists of simulating these bull transfers by releasing them into the village streets during traditional Camargue festivals. The Abrivado at Grau-du-Roi is the first event of the year to launch the traditional cattle season. Would you like to experience it in Grau-du-Roi? Here, it's original: they take place both in the streets of the town center and, above all, on the beach!

Join the festivities in Aimargues for 10 memorable days! Every year, the program of festivities is monumental: a grand intervillage between Aimargues and the village of Vauvert, manade competitions in the arenas with numerous trophies awarded every day, musical aperitifs, pétanque competitions, bandas, traditional balls with orchestras, entertainment for young and old... and to round off the bullfighting festivities, a grand bandido of 100 bulls is organized! It's another great opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditions of the Gard!