Contes Éclatés

The art of storytelling in the heart of the Ardèche Cévennes

The Contes Éclatés festival is an event dedicated to the art of storytelling and spoken word in the village of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune, at the gateway to the Ardèche Cévennes. Heir to the Festival Contes sous le Tilleul, which had eleven editions, the festival has adopted its new name to mark a renewal in its programming and spirit.

Performances between tales and poetry

The festival offers an original program that goes beyond the traditional framework of storytelling:

• Performances by professional storytellers: tales from around the world
• Songs and poetry: setting spoken word to music and verse
• Exclamations and whispers: intimate and surprising narrative forms
• Crossed performances: encounters between storytellers, musicians, and poets

The 2024 edition notably featured Béatrice Samson with “La femme acéphale” and Gilles Crépin with “Prévert, mords ou vif”, two performances that illustrate the diversity of contemporary storytelling forms.

The Médiathèque André Brahic, the heart of the festival

The festival takes place mainly at the Médiathèque André Brahic, named after the famous French astrophysicist, and at the Salle Doulovy. These venues offer an intimate and warm setting perfectly suited to the art of storytelling, where the proximity between storytellers and the audience creates an essential complicity for the magic of the narrative.

A free and friendly festival

True to its philosophy of accessibility, the festival is entirely free. A refreshment stand and light catering are available on-site, allowing spectators to extend their discussions with the artists in a friendly atmosphere. The festival traditionally takes place at the beginning of May, over a weekend, offering two days of performances and encounters around the art of spoken word.