Festival of the Crane and Migration
Celebration of the grey crane migration at Lac du Der
About Crane Festival
The Festival of the Crane and Migration is a nature event organized every October at Lac du Der in Champagne. For ten days, the LPO Champagne-Ardenne and its partners offer over a hundred activities centered around the migration of grey cranes: crane departures and arrivals, observation points, hikes, the Bird Train, photo exhibitions, children's workshops, a organic fair, and film debates. Lac du Der, the main migratory stopover in Europe with 200,000 to 350,000 cranes in transit each year, offers an exceptional natural spectacle.
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A major ornithology event in France
Created in 2008, the Festival of the Crane and Migration has become the unmissable event for nature and ornithology lovers in Champagne. Organized every year at the end of October, it celebrates the return of the grey cranes (Grus grus) to their main migratory stopover in Europe: Lac du Der-Chantecoq. Between 200,000 and 350,000 cranes transit each year through this 4,800-hectare artificial lake, offering a natural spectacle of exceptional scale.
A program rich in nature activities
For about ten days, over a hundred activities are offered to the general public, families, and ornithology enthusiasts:
- Crane Mornings: observation of the grey cranes departing after spending the night on the lake, starting at 7:30 AM, followed by breakfast and a commented slideshow on the habits and migration of the grey crane.
- Crane Sunset Aperitifs: in the late afternoon, observation of the spectacular return of the cranes to the lake accompanied by a friendly aperitif.
- The Bird Train: a commented ride on the lake's dikes aboard the Der's tourist train, with a one-hour stop in Chantecoq to observe birds with the LPO and its telescopes.
- Crane Hikes: 10 km walking tours with ornithological observation stops, followed by a tasting of local products.
Cultural and family activities
The festival is not limited to bird watching. Numerous cultural and artistic activities punctuate the program:
- Photographic exhibitions on local fauna and grey cranes
- Film debates around documentaries on migration and biodiversity
- Conferences on ornithology and wetland preservation
- Children's Day: games, stories, nature workshops with free access to Der Nature
- Organic and Alternative Fair with local producers and musical entertainment
- Craft demonstrations: glassblowing, local Der brewery
A territory committed to biodiversity
The Festival of the Crane and Migration is supported by the LPO Champagne-Ardenne in partnership with the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), the Village-Musée du Der, the Lac du Der National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve, independent ornithological guides, the Lac du Der Tourist Office, and the Bio Grand Est association. This event is part of an initiative to raise awareness about the preservation of wetlands and biodiversity, making Lac du Der a model for ornithological tourism in France.
Crane Festival — edition 2026
The 19th edition of the Festival of the Crane and Migration is expected in October 2026 at Lac du Der-Chantecoq. As every year, the LPO Champagne-Ardenne and its partners will offer a rich program of nature activities around the migration of grey cranes: ornithological observations, hikes, Bird Train, workshops for children, organic fair, and conferences.
Prices Crane Festival 2026
Practical information — Crane Festival
Access to Lac du Der
By car: Lac du Der-Chantecoq is located between Vitry-le-François and Saint-Dizier, on the border of the Marne (51) and Haute-Marne (52) departments. From Paris, take the A26 motorway then the N4 towards Saint-Dizier (approx. 2h30). From Reims, follow the N44 then the D2 (approx. 1h30). From Troyes, follow the N19 then the D384 (approx. 1h).
By train: Vitry-le-François or Saint-Dizier stations on the Paris-Est – Bar-le-Duc line. From the station, access by taxi or rental car (approx. 20 minutes).
Activity Locations
Activities take place at several sites around the lake:
- Der Nature (Outines): headquarters of LPO Champagne-Ardenne, children's day and workshops
- Chantecoq Dike: LPO information and observation point, free access from 2 PM to 5:30 PM
- Port de Giffaumont-Champaubert: departure point for the Bird Train, conferences
- Village-Musée du Der (Sainte-Marie-du-Lac-Nuisement): hikes, closing ceremony
- Montier-en-Der: craft demonstrations, brewery visit
Prices and Reservations
Some activities are free and open access (observation point on the Chantecoq dike, children's day at Der Nature). Other activities are paid:
- Crane Mornings: by reservation with the LPO
- Bird Train: adult €5.80, child (10-16 years) €3.80
- Crane Hikes: by registration
Information and Reservations
LPO Champagne-Ardenne: Tel. 03 26 72 54 47
Lac du Der Tourist Office: Tel. 03 26 72 62 80
Practical Advice
Remember to dress warmly (October mornings are cool by the lake), bring binoculars if you have them, and wear suitable shoes for hiking. Telescopes are provided by the LPO at the observation points.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Crane Festival
Lac du Der-Chantecoq
Lac du Der-Chantecoq, 52220 Montier-en-Der