Festival Country de Saint-Amans-Soult

Country Music Comes to the Thoré Valley

The Festival Country de Saint-Amans-Soult is one of the most authentic events for country culture enthusiasts in the Tarn department. Organized by the Country Thoré Canyon association, this three-day festival in early July brings together country dance lovers, western music fans, and motorcycle enthusiasts every year in the Salle du Thoré, in Saint-Amans-Soult (81240).

Country Dancing at the Heart of the Festival

Country dancing is the soul of the festival. For three days, the dance floor of the Salle du Thoré is never empty. Beginners are introduced by volunteer instructors, experienced dancers in neat costumes, and couples performing line dances, two-steps, and schottisches: dance is king here, shared and inclusive. Dance workshops are often offered to allow newcomers to join the floor without apprehension, in the friendly spirit that characterizes the country community.

The dance shows presented by clubs and associations from the region are highlights of the program, where dancers showcase their mastery of choreography in colorful and well-maintained outfits. These performances blend American tradition with contemporary creativity, illustrating the vitality of the French country scene.

Live Concerts to Rock Thoré

The festival hosts live country concerts that liven up the evenings and make the Salle du Thoré vibrate. The invited artists, from the French and sometimes international country scene, bring their energy and their repertoires mixing classic country, country rock, and country pop. These concerts are an opportunity for the public to sing, dance, and immerse themselves completely in the western universe for a few unforgettable hours.

Motorcycle Exhibition: When the West Meets Mechanics

One of the specificities of the Festival Country de Saint-Amans-Soult is its tradition of a motorcycle exhibition. In the American imagination that country culture celebrates, the motorcycle—especially customs, choppers, and Harley-Davidsons—holds a special place. The exhibition brings together carefully maintained vehicles, often customized, attracting mechanics enthusiasts as much as aesthetic aficionados. This motorcycle dimension enriches the festival with an additional facet and broadens its audience beyond just country music lovers.

Saint-Amans-Soult and the Thoré Valley

Saint-Amans-Soult is a commune in the Monts de Lacaune, in the southeast of Tarn, on the banks of the Thoré river. Its name pays homage to Marshal Nicolas Jean-de-Dieu Soult, born in this commune in 1769 and who became one of Napoleon's most famous marshals. The commune is the starting point for many hikes in the Monts de Lacaune and benefits from a preserved natural setting, between coniferous forests and mid-mountain landscapes. The festival takes advantage of this authentic territory to offer a country ambiance rooted in French soil.

Country Thoré Canyon: A Passionate Association

The Country Thoré Canyon association is the beating heart of the festival. Bringing together dancers, musicians, and western culture enthusiasts from the Thoré basin, it organizes dance classes and country evenings throughout the year before mobilizing all its energy for the annual festival. Its volunteer commitment and infectious passion make the Festival Country de Saint-Amans-Soult a warm event, rooted in the local community and open to all.