Events calendar Causses et Cévennes

Every spring since 1983, the Alès Film Festival has brought together cinephiles and prestigious guests for ten days of screenings. Out of 200 films, 20 to 30 are new or previews. Short-film competitions, tributes, concerts and theme nights punctuate the passionate and moving program. People come from far and wide to attend. A major film event in the region, the festival supports initiatives and screenings all year round.

New festival, it is the largest literary gathering in the department. If the book fair brings together publishers, authors and readers, the festival goes beyond that and addresses itself to all audiences: conferences and round tables, film screenings, literary shows and exhibitions. A day with the Cévennes steam train, transformed into a bookstore, brings it all together for a few privileged people (paying). Essays, comics, novels: all genres are present.

In October, Anduzepaystribute to the symbolic tree of the Cévennes with two popular events: the chestnut festival and the soup festival. The village is transformed into a huge market of arts and crafts, local produce and flavours (roasted chestnuts, honey, wine, charcuterie, cheeses...). There's also a soup competition and tastings. Without doubt, this is a popular festival with the flavour and traditions of the Gard!

The Parc des Cordelliers, in Anduze, hosts the ^19th edition of the Ceramics Festival in 2023. Organized by the Planète Terre association, the event brings together no fewer than 50 exhibiting craftsmen. Faithful to its ancestral know-how and open to contemporary creation, the festival highlights shaping methods, enameling techniques and all aspects of working with clay. It's a great celebration of arts and crafts, combining conviviality and creativity, fun activities and exhibitions. An event not to be missed!

The first stage race of the year in the European professional calendar, in the international professional circuit UCI Europe Tour, the Étoile de Bessèges was founded in 1971 by a former cyclist in love with the Gard, Roland Fangille. In five stages, including the traditional time trial in Alès that ends at the top of the Hermitage climb, it is considered one of the preparatory races for Paris-Nice in March. A team of volunteers, in a strong family spirit, works to keep the race alive with all the passion of its creator.

This huge market, set at the foot of an impressive pyramid of reinette apples and sweet onions, features a wide range of local produce from the Gard region. Gourmets will love the giant onion soup or sweet onion fritters with chestnut flour, or the "special fair" menu in the town's restaurants. You'll also find Camargue bulls, olives, Bouzigues oysters, pélardons, chestnuts, mushrooms, Vézénobres figs, Uzès black truffles..

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!

Every year, Trèves comes alive with the traditional Pétassou festival. The Pétassou is a character dressed in countless bits of colorful fabric ( petas), wearing a mask, gloves and carrying a broom of broom. Accompanied by his musicians, he parades, dances and chases children through the village streets, where farandoles and shows are organized. He also invites himself into the homes of the locals to distribute "paume" (a local cake). And if you still have a piece of petas in your hand, keep it for good luck all year round!

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!

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.

What an original party! At the end of October, Les Gens de la Soupe invite you to come and celebrate soups and broths, because "a feast warms the heart, a soup warms the body". The festival features a wide range of events, including collective peeling, soup making and tasting, bowl sales, soup hikes, lectures, film screenings, a farmers' market, soup competitions, "apérisoupe", a traditional dance and concerts... During the weekend, you can even take part in the soup perch: climb a tree (in complete safety!) and enjoy your soup from high up!

The Salon du Vin in Mende puts Occitanie wines in the spotlight for two days in June. You'll be able to meet some thirty local winegrowers and producers, who'll be offering sales and tastings, and, as tradition dictates, the red wine competition will reward the best vintages! Numerous workshops and events will punctuate the weekend, including a chocolate workshop, a cheese and wine workshop, a tasting of the winning wines and a festive meal with live music... Lovers of wine and local produce have come to the right place!