Cinéma en Plein Air d'Auvillar

The Auvillar Open-Air Cinema: the magic of cinema in a village of character

Auvillar is one of the jewels of Tarn-et-Garonne. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Garonne, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, this medieval town with its cobbled streets, its unique circular market hall (the only one of its kind in France), and its generous panoramas of the valley, offers a naturally cinematic setting. It is in this exceptional setting that the Auvillar open-air cinema festival — affectionately nicknamed 'les Tontons' by its regulars — takes place every summer.

For five evenings in August, residents and visitors from the village and the region gather at dusk to share the unique magic of open-air cinema. Films from cinematic heritage — timeless French comedies, masterpieces of poetic realism, classics of the Western or auteur cinema — are shown on the big screen in the village's most beautiful spaces.

Screenings in exceptional locations

What distinguishes the Auvillar open-air cinema from other similar events is the quality and variety of its screening locations. Each evening, a different part of the village is used, creating a renewed experience:

• The Place de la Halle ronde: The historic heart of Auvillar, this circular, colonnaded market hall, built in the 18th century, offers a remarkable architectural setting for screenings. Spectators settle on the cobbled square, surrounded by the brick and stone facades of the medieval town.
• The medieval alleys: Some screenings take place in the narrow, winding streets of the old town, creating ephemeral cinema halls with stone walls where image and architecture dialogue with unique complicity.
• The viewpoints over the Garonne: With the vast Garonne plain illuminated by the last rays of the setting sun and then the starry sky as a backdrop, these screenings offer a total sensory experience that goes beyond simply watching a film.

A heritage and popular program

The film selection for the Auvillar open-air cinema is designed to appeal to the widest audience. It features absolute classics of French cinema — Fernandel, Louis de Funès, Bourvil, Michel Audiard — alongside more demanding works from world heritage, chosen for their universal emotional power and their ability to captivate seasoned cinephiles, families, and children alike.

This eclectic and popular approach, which rejects hierarchies between great auteur cinema and beloved popular comedy, is at the core of the festival's identity. The aim is to create moments of collective sharing, laughter, emotion, and nostalgia, in a setting that enhances each screening.

Open-air cinema: a unique experience

Who hasn't dreamed of watching a film under the stars, surrounded by loved ones, with nothing but the starry night sky as a ceiling? The Auvillar open-air cinema makes this simple and beautiful dream come true with remarkable consistency and generosity. Free admission ensures that this event remains accessible to all, in line with the welcoming and open identity of the village.

The Auvillar community and its associations invest themselves each year in organizing the festival, creating a friendly and warm atmosphere where neighbors meet and visitors discover new things. Local producers often offer drinks and regional specialties to complete the experience. The August evenings in Auvillar have that special taste of happy holidays that one never forgets.