The best parties Midi-Pyrénées

Since 1979, the Centre Culturel Occitan d'Albi has been organizing La Janada, the traditional St. John's Day festival celebrating the end of the harvest. The festive gathering takes place on Place Sainte-Cécile, and includes a farandole in the streets, a children's ball, a market, a concert... Then finally arrives the procession of Occitan schoolchildren with their torches to light the fire, around which the crowd dances to end the evening!

This traditional festival celebrates cows returning to their beautiful plateau. Over the years, this custom has become a real festival, to which the general public is invited to attend the parade of cows decorated by their breeders. The spectacle of the passing herds is accompanied by a host of events, including a local market, folk dances and gigantic meals featuring Aubrac specialities such as aligot, beef and Laguiole cheese... Pure passion and tradition!

How to combine greed, tradition and sportsmanship? By participating in the Davalda! Over a weekend, it's a great hike, both sportive and greedy, which is organized in Argences en Aubrac. Over twenty kilometers, from burons to burons, the participants cross the pastures and the striking landscapes of Aubrac. After the effort, the comfort: in each of the burons present on the way, you will discover the products of the local soil. Friendly moments that continue until the finish line where a producers' market awaits you!

Breeders and professionals of the Aubrac cattle breed have chosen Laguiole to meet and present the quality labels and channels "Boeufs Fermier Race Aubrac Label Rouge", "Fleur d'Aubrac IGP" and "Animaux Bio de race Aubrac". Under a big top, the new "foirail" will host 220 animals on display. On Sunday, a parade of animals in the streets of the village, decorated with the colors of the festival, attracts the attention of visitors. The oxen will also be blessed!

Every year in July, the village of Castex celebrates! In the heart of the Ariège region, join the locals for two days of festivities that will fill the streets with color. The Comité des Fêtes organizes a wide range of events, including an open stage on Friday, where you can present your own show of music, dance, clowning... Saturday features board games and friendly pétanque, a musical aperitif and a convivial meal (reservation required - with croustade for dessert!), ending with a concert by a local band and a DJ set that goes on all night!

In the Gers region, Cologne holds its annual festival in August. The main festivities are spread over 4 days, with a gourmet market on Friday, serenades, pétanque competitions and a traditional meal on Saturday, and a large gathering of motorcycles and tractors on Sunday. In the evening, there's a hearty meal under the Halle, accompanied by a traditional hot-air balloon release and a dance with live music. On Monday, you can round off your festive weekend with a pétanque competition!

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!

In October, locals and visitors alike gather for 3 days of religious entertainment to celebrate the feast of Majesty Sainte Foy in Conques. After a conference on Friday, the celebrations continue on Saturday: pilgrimage walk, First Vespers and presentation of the Abbey Tympanum, torchlight procession through the village... The weekend ends with the solemn procession of Sainte Foy, a mass and a concert by the choir.

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!

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!

For years, Thursday evenings in summer have been enlivened by the tradition of a large popular banquet in Carla-Bayle. In the heart of the village, the Place de l'Europe comes alive with the pastel colors of its houses and the amazement of onlookers. Enjoy free concerts on this pretty square, large, lively and convivial tables with plates of local produce... and join in the dancing in the middle of the crowd! Book your Thursday summer evenings at Le Carla, a great excuse to party!

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!

When the kids have their party, you can say that it moves! Imagine a real mountain village transformed into a village dedicated to games. From the thermal park to the town centre, the show is everywhere. The little ones can't leave the twenty or so huge inflatable structures. A park of games of skill and wooden games is set up. Theatrical shows bring together all these little people who religiously listen to the tales. An enchanting and regressive festival!

The Coteaux de Quercy Wine Festival brings together the winegrowers of the Coteaux de Quercy to promote their wines in a convivial atmosphere. You're invited to taste the local vintages and, after the Confrérie's induction of new members, you and your family can enjoy a range of activities: demonstrations of ancient crafts, archery, children's workshops, giant and traditional wooden games, inflatable games, a culinary workshop and, last but not least, the aperitif-concert!

Artisans and producers from the Tarn region invite you to discover their delicious products at the Fête des Tarnivores in Albi! These two days of festivities in the heart of the city are an opportunity not only to highlight the work of all these enthusiasts, but also to taste the best local products: wines, beers, charcuterie and meats, cheeses, pastries, breads, jams, ready-made meals... There's something for everyone! And don't miss the pétanque competitions, wine workshops and free concerts... The atmosphere is guaranteed!

In Limogne-en-Quercy, basket markets are part of the truffle tradition, and this event offers lovers of this rare gem the chance to fill their baskets. Summer truffles don't have the same culinary value as winter black truffles, and are less expensive. Enthusiasts know that they're a delight on salted butter toast as an aperitif or in an omelette! The appointment is at 10 a.m. sharp, because sales start immediately and it sometimes happens that everything is sold out within a few minutes!

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!

The association Toulouse à Table organizes culinary events throughout the year, but Le Grand Banquet is the event of the year! On the Place du Capitole, the event is conceived as a place of gustatory discoveries, meetings, sales, information, in a word: sharing. The watchword: to promote local know-how and sublimate regional products. Themed evening events are organized on large tables around cheese, oysters, foie gras, beer... A great festive event!

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!

Organized by Les Fermiers de l'Aveyron, the Marchés Gourmands de Saint-Affrique take place on Thursday evenings in the town's public gardens. Over forty local producers and craftsmen are on hand to share their traditional know-how. From 6 p.m. onwards, stop by the producers' stalls to fill your plate with farm produce cooked on the spot. These tasty evenings, punctuated by musical entertainment, will let you discover Aveyron gastronomy in just a few mouthfuls!

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!

This young festival will surprise your taste buds again this year! "Auch : le goût" is a gourmet festival showcasing Gers and Gascony gastronomy. Connoisseurs, amateurs, gourmands and gourmets come together for markets, gastronomic meals, masterclasses, competitions and other events highlighting the work of producers, artisans, winegrowers and food professionals. With its culinary events and tastings, this is a festival of Gascony gastronomy that we highly recommend!

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!

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.

As part of the "Mardis de l'Été" (Summer Tuesdays), Floc de Gascogne, the South-West's must-have aperitif, is the star of a day of cocktail events (initiation and tasting) to discover the drink. Later in the day, enjoy a guided tour of the Cathedral and a free organ concert by Les Vespérales. Finally, in the evening, the traditional gourmet market featuring local producers awaits you! Fill your plate with gourmet products and enjoy a tasting of local wines and Armagnac, to the sound of the bandas!