Between the Fête de la Musique lighting up Bourges and Vendôme, a Gaulish camp in Salbris and a medieval market in Selles-sur-Cher, eleven outings for a busy solstice weekend.
What's on in Centre-Val de Loire this weekend of June 20 and 21? Sunday the 21st marks the solstice, and across the region the Fête de la Musique turns the streets into open-air stages. Yet our pick of the week is something more unexpected: the Festival Salera, which revives a Gaulish and Roman camp deep in the Sologne. Saturday also brings the Middle Ages back to Selles-sur-Cher, rock to La Guerche and a parade of 300 vintage cars to Chinon, while the Nohant Chopin Festival carries on its piano season at George Sand's home. Here is our considered selection, spanning living history, contemporary music and the great classical repertoire.
Festival Salera, the ancient Sologne in Salbris (41): two days among the Gauls
Our gem of the weekend. On June 20 and 21, the Domaine de Courcelles in Salbris becomes a Gaulish and Roman camp for the Festival Salera, a living-history event unique in the Sologne. Created in 2023, it gathers more than 150 re-enactors who carry visitors back to the time of the Bituriges and the Carnutes. On the programme: chariot races, gladiator fights, an ancient craft market and a historical banquet. The immersion is total, from the tents and costumes to the reconstructed craft gestures. It's an ideal family outing for anyone keen to touch Antiquity far from the schoolbooks, in a rural setting. A still-confidential event, but one that grows stronger every year.
Selles-sur-Cher Medieval Festival and Market (41): four camps inside the castle walls
The same weekend, a change of era some thirty kilometres away: on June 20 and 21, the Selles-sur-Cher Medieval Festival and Market takes over the Château de Selles-sur-Cher. Organised by the Compagnons de Philippe de Béthune association, this living-history event sets up four reconstructed camps in the castle courtyards and grounds. A craft market, choreographed combat displays and costumed initiations fill the two days. The mood, at once educational and festive, appeals to enthusiasts and families alike. The castle setting, between moats and Renaissance lodgings, adds greatly to the escape. A fine gateway to the heritage of southern Loir-et-Cher.
Nohant Chopin Festival in Nohant-Vic (36): romantic piano at George Sand's home
A headliner of the season, the Nohant Chopin Festival is in full swing this weekend, in George Sand's estate in the heart of Berry. Founded in 1966, it ranks among the most respected classical music events in France, devoted entirely to Frédéric Chopin and the romantic piano repertoire. The festival keeps alive the memory of the Polish composer's stays with the novelist, between 1839 and 1846, in an intimate setting far removed from the big concert halls. The greatest international pianists take turns here, often just a few metres from the audience, through July 22. It's the hushed counterpoint to an otherwise very festive weekend. A must if you love pairing great music with a place of literary memory.
Chinon Classic in Chinon (37): 300 vintage cars in the royal town
On June 20 and 21, Chinon Classic brings together nearly 300 vintage vehicles in the streets of the royal town dear to Rabelais. Born more than twenty years ago, this motoring event celebrates rolling heritage through a display of collector cars and motorcycles, a touring rally, dynamic demonstrations and a tribute to the Grand Prix de Tours. The Place Jeanne d'Arc and the medieval centre give a fine stage to the gleaming bodywork. It's a friendly, free outing for mechanics buffs and the merely curious alike, with the fortress overlooking the Vienne as a backdrop. Best combined with a stroll through the old town.
Festival des Gonfleurs d'Hélice in Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières (28): contemporary music at the sports park
In the north of the region, the Festival des Gonfleurs d'Hélice animates the sports park of Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières on June 20 and 21. Run by an association that works year-round to promote live music, this contemporary-music festival lines up a programme of concerts over two days, in an open-air atmosphere. It's one of the few amplified events of the weekend in Eure-et-Loir, well off the major-stage circuit. The human-scale format and the volunteer spirit make it a pleasant stop to discover emerging bands without breaking the bank. A good reason to head out to the Loir valley.
Rockinguerche in La Guerche-sur-l'Aubois (18): the town's first rock festival
On Saturday June 20, the Place Charles de Gaulle in La Guerche-sur-l'Aubois hosts Rockinguerche, the first rock festival in this small Cher town. The event celebrates rock culture and community spirit with a line-up of local and regional bands, in a warm, festive atmosphere. This is exactly the kind of local gem we like to highlight: an initiative run by and for residents, keeping a rural area's music scene alive. The grassroots entry and village-fete mood set the tone. Ideal for backing a young line-up and enjoying an open-air rock night, far from the saturated big festivals.
La Guinguette des Rats des Chants in Fontaine-la-Guyon (28): three friendly days in the town-hall park
From June 18 to 20, La Guinguette des Rats des Chants wraps its edition in Fontaine-la-Guyon, a small village in Eure-et-Loir. Run by the Rats des Chants association, this three-day family festival offers concerts, shows, street arts and hands-on workshops in the town-hall park. Open to all audiences, it leans on social and cross-generational bonds as much as on the line-up. The closing day, Saturday, often gathers the highlights. It's a warm, accessible interlude, in the image of those village gatherings that give rural summers their flavour. To enjoy with the family, no fuss.
Journées Cartésiennes in Descartes (37): philosophy celebrated in René Descartes's hometown
On June 19 and 20, the town of Descartes, formerly La Haye-en-Touraine, celebrates its most illustrious son during the Journées Cartésiennes. Organised with the museum space devoted to the philosopher born here in 1596, these days feature public lectures by specialists in Cartesian thought, museum visits and activities around Descartes's legacy. It's a rare event, where scholarly culture meets local pride, a change from the weekend's purely musical programmes. An outing for the curious and lovers of the history of ideas, in a peaceful Touraine town on the banks of the Creuse. A chance to revisit the "Discourse on the Method" in a new light.
Fête de la Musique in Vendôme (41): the Parc à Koustic at Parc Ronsard
On Sunday June 21, the Fête de la Musique in Vendôme takes a unique form with the Parc à Koustic. From 3 p.m. until past midnight, the Parc Ronsard hosts around thirty events and more than a hundred musicians on six acoustic stages. Folk balls, Perche dances, Celtic music, gospel, French chanson and Balkan tunes follow one another in a warm atmosphere. It's one of the most original takes on the Fête de la Musique in the region: the acoustic format and the tree-lined setting stand apart from the usual amplified stages. Free and family-friendly, the event is worth the trip for anyone wanting to experience June 21 differently, in the shade of the trees rather than the buzz of café terraces.
Fête de la Musique in Bourges (18): the Printemps city sings for free
Every June 21, Bourges celebrates the Fête de la Musique: amateur musicians, conservatory students, choirs and professional artists play for free in the streets, on the squares and in the gardens of the historic centre, in the shadow of Saint-Étienne cathedral. Heir to the spirit of the Printemps de Bourges, the Cher city offers an entirely free day open to all, from classical to rock and world music. The density of stages and the quality of the heritage settings make it one of the solstice's essential dates in the region. To enjoy by wandering from square to square, led by chance discoveries. A safe bet to close the weekend on a musical note.
Fête de la Musique in Troo (41): troglodyte caves as pop-up stages
On June 21, the Fête de la Musique in Troo is experienced differently: in this troglodyte village perched above the Loir valley, the caves, medieval lanes and natural spaces become so many pop-up stages. Organised by the Au Cœur de Troo association, this free event makes the most of a listed site to offer a singular musical experience, where the acoustics of the caves rival those of the squares. It's the weekend's poetic gem, a world away from the big urban stages. You wander from cave to cave, following the concerts, in a stunning geological setting. An outing for lovers of out-of-the-ordinary places and intimate music.
To explore other regions this weekend, head to our full weekend agenda. Enjoy your time in Centre-Val de Loire.
