Traditional festivals folklore and fairs Midi-Toulousain

The Compagnie des Archers du Papogay was founded in 1585. Since then, the tradition of Papogay shooting has remained alive and well in the town of Rieux-Volvestre. The festivities include three days of serenades, with a ball, a medieval show, a royal parade, folk dances and, of course, Papogay shooting: with a bow or crossbow, you aim at a target represented by a wooden bird, perched at the end of a pole, called the Papogay. A picturesque event not to be missed, which puts tradition in the spotlight!

Every year the Flower Festival takes place in Bagnères-de-Luchon at the end of August. During several days, many activities are programmed such as running, election of Miss Flower, laser and pyrotechnic show, concerts, shows, bandas and batucada training... The highlight of the show is, of course, the parade of floats in flower in the town centre of Luchon on the last day. For its 2020 edition - the 121st! - the theme puts the French regions in the spotlight. A spectacular and particularly lively traditional festival, not to be missed!

It was at the foot of the town Angonia that, according to legend, a battle was fought where Christian and Saracens fought. Vidian, the leader of Christian troops lost his life as well as several of his companions. Every year since the middle of the th century, this episode is commemorated in a solemn ceremony where the Martrais dressed in colourful costumes make thanks to their Patron Saint and reconstruct the battle.

Every year since 1992, the first weekend in August, from Thursday to Sunday, has been a joyous and convivial occasion to celebrate rural traditions, farm life and ancestral know-how, attracting several thousand people each year. A parade through the streets, a traditional dance, a craft market and a gourmet market. Everything is done to amaze the palates of even the most discerning gourmets. More than 700 volunteers take part with a large parade, tractors, cows and sheep, bringing to life the Couserans of yesteryear.

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!

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!

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!

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 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!

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!

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!

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.