August 15th Folkloric Gala

The August 15th Folkloric Gala in Salers: A Living Tradition

Each year, on August 15th, the medieval town of Salers, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, hosts its traditional folkloric gala. Organized by the folkloric group La Sagranière, this event has become, over the decades, a must-attend for all lovers of Auvergne folklore.

La Sagranière: Guardian of Cantal Traditions

The Salers folkloric group was created in September 1976 on the initiative of Mrs. Leymarie Raymonde, who presided over the association for nearly a quarter of a century. After a year of dormancy in 1999 due to staffing difficulties, La Sagranière was revived in 2000 under the impetus of motivated former members. Since then, the group has passionately continued its mission of transmitting and promoting the folkloric heritage of Cantal.

A Festive Program Throughout the Day

The folkloric gala unfolds in several highlights that animate the medieval town of Salers:

• Morning Parade (11 AM - 12:30 PM): Three folkloric groups parade through the streets of Salers, with performances on various squares and esplanades: Place Tyssandier d'Escous, Place Charles Maigne, and Esplanade de Barrouze.
• Afternoon Parade (2:30 PM - 4 PM): The groups resume their route through the village streets for a second parade.
• Main Show (4 PM - 7 PM): The three groups perform one after another on the stage of Place Tyssandier d'Escous with bourrée performances, traditional dances, songs, and local music.
• Raffle: A raffle with numerous prizes is organized at the end of the day, around 7 PM.

Invited Folkloric Groups

Each year, La Sagranière, the local Cantal group, invites two folkloric groups from neighboring departments. These ensembles share the same passion for popular traditions and offer dances, music, and costumes representative of their respective regions. Among the regularly invited groups are La Bourrée de l'Argence (Aveyron), Pied de Vigne (Haute-Loire), and Los Botarels (Dordogne).

A Free Event in the Heart of an Exceptional Village

The Salers folkloric gala is entirely free and open to all. It takes place in the magnificent setting of the medieval town of Salers, with its Renaissance houses made of lava stone, its turrets, and its panoramas of the Cantal mountains. It is a moment of sharing between residents, summer visitors, and folklore enthusiasts, allowing for the discovery or rediscovery of the living traditions of Auvergne.

Place Tyssandier d'Escous, in the heart of the village, provides a natural stage for the performances, offering a warm and authentic atmosphere. The gala contributes to the cultural vitality of the Pays de Salers and perpetuates a precious intangible heritage: that of traditional Cantal dances, music, and costumes.