Écofestival Les Carrioles

Les Carrioles: A Unique Ecofestival in the Heart of Limousin

Every first weekend of August, Lake Saint-Fortunat in Flavignac transforms into a place of celebration, sharing, and commitment. The Écofestival Les Carrioles, created in 2011, has brought together thousands of festival-goers for over fifteen years around strong values: ecology, solidarity, artistic creation, and living together. Located in the heart of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park, between Limoges and Périgueux, this human-sized festival embodies an alternative vision of celebration, far from large commercial gatherings.

A Rich and Eclectic Artistic Program

Over three days, Les Carrioles offers a diverse program that blends concerts of contemporary music, street performances, circus, storytelling, and artistic performances. The 2025 edition, which celebrated the festival's 15th anniversary, featured Picon Mon Amour, Chicharron, Poolidor, Beat Bouët Trio, Un Caillou Dans La Chaussure, Rezisters, Mantis, Mathieu Moustache, À La Fesse Foraine, and Kadavresky on stage. Performing arts companies like Cie Nomadenko and Cie Terre-à-terre enriched the program with original creations blending humor, poetry, and environmental awareness.

An Associative Village and a Local Market

Beyond the stages, the Ecofestival features an associative village bringing together organizations committed to ecology, human rights, and solidarity, including the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) and FERUS. The large market of local producers and artisans, with over 90 exhibitors, is a highlight of the weekend: farm cheeses, honey, sourdough bread, craft beers, pottery, basketry, and textile creations showcase the generous know-how of the Limousin and Périgord regions.

Workshops, Walks, and Ecological Commitment

True to its ecofestival mission, Les Carrioles offers numerous participatory workshops: writing, music awakening, handpan, eco-construction, repair, and creative recycling. Guided nature walks allow participants to discover the remarkable biodiversity of the lake's surroundings and nearby forests. The 2025 edition, themed around sustainable housing, highlighted the challenges of ecological renovation, affordable housing, and eco-construction through 'conférences gesticulées' (gesticulated lectures), round tables, and practical demonstrations. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own reusable tableware, in line with a coherent zero-waste approach.

An Accessible and Convivial Festival

Entry is free with a conscious contribution, a strong choice reflecting the festival's commitment to cultural accessibility for all. Free camping by the lake allows for an extended experience in nature. Local catering prioritizes short supply chains and organic products. Driven by the Association Les Carrioles and a team of passionate volunteers, this family-friendly festival welcomes young and old in a warm atmosphere where carpooling is encouraged, and each edition confirms the growing public enthusiasm for an authentic and committed event.