Events calendar Languedoc Roussillon

Welcome to the highest fortified city in France: you are here at 1,600 meters above sea level! His ramparts impress you? There is something: their construction requisitioned no less than 4,000 men, and the construction site lasted two years! According to Vauban's plans in the seventeenth century, they are still very well maintained, which has earned them a UNESCO World Heritage inscription. The walk to the family invites you to discover them. Then, after a walk of about 2 kilometers, you will eventually be able to offer a guided tour of the citadel and its sinks well; find out about this with the Tourist Office.

Tariff: free of charge.

Distance: 2.1 km.

Difficulty: easy.

Every summer, in August, the charming village of Fleury d'Aude organizes its festejades, three days of popular festivities punctuated by numerous animations. Free of charge, the event is organized around several concerts. In recent years, the streets of the town have resounded to the rhythm of the songs of the Négresses vertes, Alpha Blondy, Sergent Garcia, Amir or Lio. An impressive program that attracts every year a large number of holidaymakers and locals. Atmosphere guaranteed!

This street festival, anchored for many years in the program of the festivities of Leucate, is always a success! Here, the town offers two days of festivities punctuated by brass bands, orchestras, dancing, bodegas, plays, tastings, entertainment for children ... The highlight of the show: the night parades that parade through the streets of Leucate-Village. For each new edition, the town invites famous troupes. A friendly event not to be missed!

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.

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.

Since 1997, this festival has brought the city of Sète to life with more than 650 poetic and musical encounters, at the rhythm of more than 80 daily meetings in public or private gardens, in squares, in streets transformed for a few days into gardens, on the breakwater, at the Théâtre de la Mer, on a boat... The festival welcomes more than a hundred poets from all over the Mediterranean who are surrounded by numerous artists, storytellers, musicians, singers, actors and visual artists who offer concerts, workshops and exhibitions.

The Association Sur le chemin de R.-L. Stevenson continues to walk this route to highlight the interest of the journey of the Scottish writer. Since 1994, the actors of tourism have come together and pooled their ideas and actions in order to better guide and welcome all those who visit the Cevennes following this route. In this spirit, was created, in spring, this event intended to allow the curious to look, during twenty days, the Cevennes of another eye: exhibitions, accompanied hikes, spectacles with interventions of Scottish and Cevennes artists, readings, visits with topic. Thus each year, the event takes place in a different sector of the area crossed by the famous author. 2018 will be a special year as it marks the 140th anniversary of his journey and the Association Sur le chemin de R.-L Stevenson is organizing a series of events throughout the year (See details in "Invitation to the journey").

It is a festival where twenty designers are invited each year to "work on" a topical theme. Then, all the drawings and cartoons are presented to the public for ten days at a major free exhibition. One of the highlights of this festival is the first weekend, cartoonists are present and meet the public, making, on request and freely, drawings as a dedications. Their works then stay visible during the second part of the festival.

40 single-hulled vessel on water, 5 shipmate per boat, Swiss, Italian, French or Spanish, come to this event that counts for the national ranking of French Sailing Federation Runners. A true water ballet you need to see.

St. Pierre's Day is celebrated in Gruissan at the height of the summer solstice. This religious festival is a tribute by fishermen to Saint Pierre. This return to our roots is formalized by a procession of fishermen carrying the statue of their patron saint through the streets, followed by judges in black togas, the Prud'homie in a gold hat, assessors in silver hats and the small Gruissan orchestra. After the mass, the event took on a more festive aspect, with offerings, songs, wreaths thrown into the sea... ending with a ball and orchestra.

The Sailing Festival has become over the years an inescapable appointment in summer. This period of two days is the occasion to discover a range of nautical activities:  introductions to water sports and leisure activities with Grand Sud Fishing Sport association, Narbonne Nautical society and its sailing school, Narbonne Big Game Fishing Federation and Association, Narbonne-Plage nautical Centre, Underwater Club, Aude Fishermen committee and Aqua jet and JetXtreme societies. There are also, demonstrations, parades of boats, stroll on water, two open door days, exhibitions, concerts, workshops, regattas and baptisms. In a spirit of conviviality, take time to discover a maritime culture.

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.

Pézenas' patron saint, Saint Blaise, is widely celebrated in this corner of Occitanie when spring arrives! For almost a month, the streets are alive with music, traditional dances and fancy-dress parades, not forgetting the traditional escoubille stew and its world championship. An event that brings together all generations and bears witness to the fervour of the Occitan people for their traditions!

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!

With its flowered floats, its balls and its animations, the Carnival of Amélie-les-Bains is one of the most beautiful and popular carnivals of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Known since the ^19th century under the name of cavalcade, the carnival sees crowds in jubilation. The most astonishing moment remains the parade of the "Grégoire améliens": penitents dressed in white, bury the Grégoire, the Carnival Majesty, by walking him through the city before burning him in the public square.

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!

Sommières has been hosting the Trad'Hivernales festival for 25 years, to the delight of music and dance lovers from near and far. For 5 days, the town comes alive with a program of storytelling workshops, round-table discussions, concerts and jazz cafés, music and singing workshops, initiation to ballroom, Israeli, Catalan and Flemish dances, culminating in a musical evening and a traditional ball... To all lovers of culture and music, don't miss this lovely winter event in the south of the Gard!

La Saint-Louis is a 4-day festival of parades (representing all the districts) through the streets to the rhythm of the peñas, square-ball tournaments, tributes to railway workers and concerts at the Théâtre de la Mer. On the last day of the festivities, Sétois and jousters gather in the Place de la Mairie, nicknamed the "Place du Poufre", to enjoy macaroonade (and build up their strength!), before the Languedoc jousting tournaments that bring the weekend to a close. If you're looking for an authentic, convivial experience, come and see us in August!

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!

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.

The town of Beaucaire is the "cradle" of the Camargue racing tradition. With a packed program every year, the sport attracts thousands of spectators to the town's arenas; in spring, the Muguet d'Or takes place, in summer, the Palme d'Or and Palme d'Argent, and finally, in autumn, the big bullfighting event is the Trophée Marius Gardiol. During these races, the animal is not killed: the "raseteurs" simply try to catch the award-winning attributes attached to an ox's forehead and horns. A real spectacle!

After 20 years in Toulouse, the Occitanie region is putting handisport in the spotlight at this 3-day event relocated to Nîmes, with a major goal: to promote the practice of handisport, which conveys the values of team spirit, surpassing oneself and accomplishment. Open to all on Saturday, you'll be able to discover handisport through workshops featuring a number of highlights: demonstrations of wheelchair basketball, boccia, rifle shooting, soft-arc, climbing, wheelchair course workshop, LSF initiation, meetings with top-level athletes...

In 1629, the jousting tournaments offered a unique spectacle to Cardinal de Richelieu during his visit to Frontignan. This local tradition lives on today, particularly during the Tournament de la Ville on July 14th. Dressed in white, spear and bulwark in hand, the jousters compete to the sound of drums and the Languedoc oboe, in nautical battles in a festive atmosphere. Come and join the crowd on the banks of the canal to applaud them!

One of Védasiens' favorite summer events takes place in the Parc de la Peyrière. The town invites you to come and share convivial, festive evenings with family and friends around local produce and fine wines. On the program: winegrowers' evenings, exhibitions and stalls featuring creative craftspeople, local wine tastings, a night market and food trucks, games and entertainment for children, as well as concerts to liven up the evenings. A program that's as appealing as it is enticing, for a wonderful summer evening!

The oldest critérium of France. The best of the Tour de France clash in a classic of the summer on a circuit in downtown.

Voix d'Etoiles is unique: it is the only festival that values and rewards the voices of animated cinema! This cultural event is based on several activities: screenings of short and feature films, TV series, meetings, workshops to discover the secrets of voices and sounds... The festival is particularly aimed at families with children. They will receive a small passport with questionnaires, games and a book of dedications on arrival. A magical place.

The origin of the Camargue race dates back to the 15th century, but it was at the end of the 19th century that it really developed, many small arenas were then built to bring man and bull into conflict. But this is not about fighting or killing, but rather passes full of skill and elegance, a race for honour. This honour is materialized by attributes fixed on the forehead and between the horns of the bull, formerly flowers, scarves, tricolor cockades or motto in the colors of the manade and sometimes even sausage or victuals. Today, there are six of them, two strings around the horns, an acorn on each, a cockade on the forehead and a forehead behind the animal's forehead. Equipped with a hook, the razor must grab these brands, for which rewards are offered.

Jazz à Sète is one of the most awaited festivals of the summer by music lovers. It welcomes prestigious and even mythical artists and music lovers from all over the world. The ingredients for its success are simple: a thousand shades of jazz, a beautiful conviviality and a magical setting with the Mediterranean as a backdrop. Every summer at the Théâtre de la Mer, the legends of the genre are honored; their notes intertwine and intertwine to offer the public unforgettable musical stops.

A great gourmet event of the summer between Bouzigues, Mèze and Marseillan, the Oyster Festival is an opportunity to celebrate these three pearls of the Thau Archipelago, which is a mecca for oyster production in the lagoon, and even on a national level. Thousands of people flock to enjoy the organized celebrations. They enjoy beautiful tables, tastings, various animations, shows, jousting tournaments, dances... The festivities end with a fireworks display that makes the lagoon shine.

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.