Catalacum Festival

Catalacum: When Music Resonates on the Gallo-Roman Lands of Chaptelat

The Catalacum Festival takes its name from the ancient Gallo-Roman name for Chaptelat, a commune located on the outskirts of Limoges in Haute-Vienne. Since its creation in 2006, this open-air festival has established itself as a major musical event in the north of the Limoges urban area, blending national headliners and artistic discoveries under a large marquee set up on Allée des Francs.

An Eclectic and Ambitious Program

Throughout its editions, Catalacum has hosted national artists covering a wide musical spectrum. Rock has always held a prime spot with legends like Trust (2009), Louis Bertignac (2011), and Eiffel (2010). French chanson is also well represented with De Palmas (2012), Emmanuel Moire (2014), Pigalle (2015), and Blankass (2016). World music has also resonated under the marquee with Tri Yann (2013), masters of Celtic music, as well as Jo Dahan, formerly of Mano Negra, and the afro-percussive group Djembesewa.

A Festival Rooted in its Territory

Catalacum is more than just a music festival; it's a communal cultural project that highlights the identity and heritage of Chaptelat. The festival's very name refers to the village's Gallo-Roman origins, where archaeological excavations have uncovered funerary urns and medals bearing the effigy of emperors Claudius, Nero, and Domitian. By choosing this historically rich name, the organizers aimed to embed the event in the long memory of the Limousin region.

A Festive and Accessible Setting

Each edition takes place over two evenings at the end of June, with doors opening in the early evening and concerts lasting until late at night. The site offers free parking, local catering on-site, a bar, and a camping area for festival-goers coming from further afield. Prices remain deliberately affordable, true to the festival's associative and popular spirit. Catalacum emphasizes conviviality and sharing, attracting a family and multi-generational audience in a relaxed atmosphere, far from the major commercial circuits.

A Festival That Transcends Eras

After a period of interruption, Catalacum has regained its audience and vitality. Each new edition confirms the attachment of the inhabitants of Chaptelat and the Limoges urban area to this unique musical event, which celebrates both contemporary artistic creation and the millennial heritage of a historically rich territory.