Ecaussystème Festival

A festival rooted in the Causse du Quercy since 2003

The history of the Ecaussystème Festival began in 2001, when a group of young people from Gignac proposed organizing reggae concerts during the village's annual festival. Following this initial success, the Ecaussystème association was founded in 2003 and launched the first edition of the festival, then called Ecausse Système. The name refers to the causses of the Lot region and the concept of ecosystem, symbolizing the fragile balance rich in biodiversity that needs to be preserved.

Since then, the festival has continued to grow. In this small village of 680 inhabitants, located in the north of the Lot, on the border of Corrèze and Dordogne, the population multiplies by forty for a weekend. The Prairie du Touron hosts tens of thousands of festival-goers each year, eager to discover an ambitious and eclectic musical program.

An ambitious national and international music program

The Ecaussystème Festival stands out for the richness and diversity of its programming. Rock, reggae, French chanson, electro, world music, hip-hop: all genres meet on the festival's two stages, the scène Quercy and the scène Occitane. Over the years, the festival has hosted internationally and nationally renowned artists.

Among the headliners who have graced the Ecaussystème stage are Francis Cabrel, Deep Purple, Shaka Ponk, Burning Spear, Bigflo et Oli, Philippe Katerine, Julien Doré, Jean-Louis Aubert, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Polo & Pan, Dionysos, Chinese Man, Fat Freddy's Drop, Dub Inc, Gaël Faye, and Feu! Chatterton.

Since 2023, the addition of a second stage has allowed for an increase from 14 to 21 artistic offerings over the three days, further strengthening the festival's musical lineup.

The "Écaussitoyennes" Days: Culture, Solidarity, and Sustainable Development

What makes Ecaussystème unique is its deep commitment to sustainable development and fair trade. From the very first edition, organizers have offered awareness-raising activities between concerts. The "écaussitoyennes" days, completely free on Saturdays and Sundays during the day, offer a rich program: a colorful market of local producers, local food stands, an associative village, engaged conferences, street performances, and activities for all ages.

France's first positive energy festival

In 2025, Ecaussystème became the first positive energy festival thanks to the installation of photovoltaic panels on the concert site, capable of producing up to 4.5 MW annually, while the festival's consumption is 1.4 MW. This major investment illustrates the association's desire to show that another event model is possible, one that is environmentally friendly and rooted in its territory.

An exemplary associative and volunteer model

Driven by the Ecaussystème association and nearly 650 volunteers, the festival is much more than a musical event. The association carries out cultural activities throughout the year through its cultural season, organizing concerts and events in the north of the Lot. Ecaussystème embodies a model of a rural festival where conviviality, civic engagement, and artistic quality combine for the benefit of the region.