Au Creux de l'Oreille
Family festival at the Abbaye de Noirlac during the October holidays
2026
About Au Creux de l'Oreille
Au Creux de l'Oreille — edition 2026
Au Creux de l'Oreille returns to the Abbaye de Noirlac on the weekend of October 17 and 18, 2026, featuring the concert "The Rain Dance" by Mikrokosmos, the show "The Big Bad Wolf Affair" based on La Chèvre de monsieur Seguin, and kamishibai storytelling by Les Histoires manquantes. The Micado Toy Library and a free snack round out this family festival, accessible to children from 6 months old. The festival continues from October 19 to 22 with nature tours, games, and workshops in the abbey's hedgerows and creative farm.
A family festival at the Abbaye de Noirlac
The Au Creux de l'Oreille family festival returns to the Abbaye de Noirlac (Bruère-Allichamps, Cher) for the first weekend of the All Saints' holidays: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM. This multidisciplinary festival, open to children from 6 months old, offers shows, concerts, storytelling, a toy library, and workshops within the heritage setting of the 12th-century Cistercian abbey.
Shows and concerts
The "Concert for my little one — The Rain Dance" by Mikrokosmos takes toddlers on a journey through the four elements. The show "The Big Bad Wolf Affair," a retelling of La Chèvre de monsieur Seguin blending shadow theater and music, is followed by a behind-the-scenes workshop. The company Les Histoires manquantes presents the kamishibai tale "PAMAN? Tell me a story!". The Micado Toy Library (12:00 PM–5:30 PM) and a free snack complete the weekend.
A week of activities for young audiences
The festival continues from Monday, October 19 to Thursday, October 22 (10:30 AM–5:00 PM) with tours, games, and nature workshops in the heart of the monument, the hedgerows, and the creative farm: "On the trail of wild animals" (October 19), the "Wisdom Game" (October 20), the "Little Sprouts Tour" and an animal track casting workshop (October 21), and the "Little Sprouts Land Art" and "Let's play with Grisailles" workshops (October 22).
Booking is recommended by phone at 02 48 96 17 16 or by email at [email protected]. Information and tickets at www.abbayedenoirlac.fr.
Highlights Au Creux de l'Oreille 2026
- "The Rain Dance" concert by Mikrokosmos, for toddlers
- "The Big Bad Wolf Affair" show, shadow theater based on La Chèvre de monsieur Seguin
- Kamishibai storytelling by Les Histoires manquantes
- Micado Toy Library and free snack for children
- A week of nature activities from October 19 to 22 (tours, games, workshops in the hedgerows)
Programme Au Creux de l'Oreille 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
- 12:00 PM–5:30 PM — Micado Toy Library · play area for all
- 3:00 PM — Les Histoires manquantes · "PAMAN? Tell me a story!" (kamishibai storytelling)
- 4:00 PM — The Big Bad Wolf Affair · show (shadow theater and music, based on La Chèvre de monsieur Seguin)
- 5:00 PM — The Big Bad Wolf Affair Workshop · parent-child workshop behind the scenes
- 5:00 PM — Les Histoires manquantes · "PAMAN? Tell me a story!" (2nd session)
- 5:30 PM — Concert for my little one — The Rain Dance · Mikrokosmos
Sunday, October 18, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Concert for my little one — The Rain Dance · Mikrokosmos
- 12:00 PM–5:30 PM — Micado Toy Library
- 3:00 PM — Les Histoires manquantes · "PAMAN? Tell me a story!"
- 4:00 PM — The Big Bad Wolf Affair · show
- 5:00 PM — The Big Bad Wolf Affair Workshop · parent-child workshop
- 5:00 PM — Les Histoires manquantes (2nd session)
- 5:30 PM — Concert for my little one — The Rain Dance (2nd session)
Monday, October 19, 2026
- 2:30 PM — On the trail of wild animals · nature guided tour and parent-child workshop in the hedgerows
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- 10:30 AM — The Wisdom Game · team game to elect the new Abbot of Noirlac
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- 10:30 AM — Little Sprouts Tour · fun tour of the abbey (games, sensory experiences)
- 2:30 PM — Animal track casting · nature parent-child workshop
Thursday, October 22, 2026
- 10:30 AM — Little Sprouts Land Art Workshop · creations using items collected in the hedgerows
- 10:30 AM — Let's play with Grisailles · painting workshop on acetate based on Cistercian stained glass
For ages 6 months and up. Shows and activities require booking: [email protected] or 02 48 96 17 16. Program published by the Abbaye de Noirlac (source: abbayedenoirlac.fr/au-creux-de-l-oreille).
Prices Au Creux de l'Oreille 2026
Practical information — Au Creux de l'Oreille
Access
The festival takes place at the Abbaye de Noirlac, 18200 Bruère-Allichamps.
- By car: From Paris (280 km), A71 exit 8 towards Saint-Amand-Montrond, then D951. From Bourges (40 km), D2144 then D951.
- By train: Saint-Amand-Montrond SNCF station (5 km), then taxi. Bourges station (40 km).
- Parking: Free parking at the abbey.
Opening Hours
Saturday and Sunday, generally from 10 am to 6 pm. Several showtimes throughout the day.
Prices
- Shows: €5 to €8 per show
- Workshops and games: free
- Weekend pass: approximately €20 (family)
Ticketing
Booking recommended by phone at 02 48 96 17 16 or by email at [email protected].
Contact
- Phone: 02 48 96 17 16
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.abbayedenoirlac.fr
A festival for the whole family at the abbey
Au Creux de l'Oreille is a festival dedicated to children and families, organized annually at the Abbaye de Noirlac during the October holidays, generally on the last weekend of October. The festival transforms the Cistercian abbey into a place of fun and artistic discovery for young audiences.
Shows, concerts, and tales for children
The festival's program features live performances suitable for children: songs, musical tales, children's theater, and concerts. The invited artists specialize in children's entertainment and know how to capture the attention of the youngest with poetry, humor, and music. Performances take place in various spaces of the abbey, offering an artistic experience in an exceptional heritage setting.
Workshops, games, and fun visits
In addition to the shows, the festival offers creative and educational workshops: visual arts, music, construction, sensory games. Fun visits to the abbey allow children to discover Cistercian architecture interactively. Outdoor games in the abbey park complete the range of activities, encouraging discovery and exploration.
A weekend of shows at reduced prices
The festival takes place over a weekend, generally from Saturday to Sunday, with several performances and activities spread over the two days. Prices are intentionally accessible to allow all families to enjoy the event. Most workshops and games are free; only the shows are paid at a reduced price.
Discover the abbey in a different way
Au Creux de l'Oreille is an opportunity to introduce children to the Abbaye de Noirlac in a fun and festive context. The architectural heritage becomes a playground and exploration area, fostering the cultural awakening of young audiences. The festival contributes to the abbey's mission of transmission and cultural mediation, as a Centre Culturel de Rencontre.
An unmissable autumn event
Since its creation, Au Creux de l'Oreille has become an unmissable event for families from the Cher region and neighboring departments at the beginning of the All Saints' Day holidays. The festival attracts several hundred visitors each year, drawn by the quality of the programming and the exceptional setting of the abbey.
Where does it take place — Au Creux de l'Oreille
Au Creux de l'Oreille in brief
Other festivals near Bruère-Allichamps
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