Festival Cultures aux Cœurs
Festival of world dances and music in Montignac-Lascaux in Dordogne
About Cultures aux Cœurs
A World Festival in the Heart of the Périgord Noir
Since 1981, the Festival Cultures aux Cœurs has transformed the small town of Montignac-Lascaux into a crossroads of world cultures every end of July. For a week, a dozen delegations from five continents share their traditional dances, their popular music, and their craftsmanship with an enthusiastic audience.
Colorful Shows
The evening shows on the Terrasse de l'Amitié are the highlight of the festival: each invited country presents a dance and music performance in traditional costumes. Performances also take place at the Salle des Fêtes, the Espace Nelson Mandela, and in the streets of the town. On Friday evening, the grand Ville en Fête event animates the entire town center with a festive parade and open stages.
Exchange and conviviality
Beyond the shows, the festival offers exhibitions of world art and crafts, a friendly guinguette on the banks of the Vézère, participatory dance workshops, and encounters between artists and the public. World cuisine is also in the spotlight with gastronomic stands offered by the delegations.
A Commitment to Peace and Dialogue
A member of CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts), a partner organization of UNESCO, the festival works for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and dialogue between peoples. Each edition hosts countries as diverse as Brazil, Colombia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Togo, Ecuador, or Spain.
Cultures aux Cœurs — edition 2026
The 45th edition of the Festival Cultures aux Cœurs will be held from July 27 to August 2, 2026, in Montignac-Lascaux, Dordogne. A dozen delegations from five continents — South Africa, Chile, Croatia, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Tahiti — will bring the town to life for a week of dances, music, and popular traditions from around the world. The 2026 edition coincides with the centenary of the organizing association ALM, celebrated during the grand evening on Saturday, August 1st, on the Terrasse de l'Amitié.
45th Edition — July 27 to August 2, 2026
For its 45th edition, the Festival Cultures aux Cœurs once again takes over Montignac-Lascaux from July 27 to August 2, 2026. A dozen international delegations and several French groups will take turns on the Terrasse de l'Amitié and in the town's streets for a week of shows, entertainment, exhibitions, and encounters centered around world cultures.
Guest Ensembles in 2026
This year, the festival welcomes the Alma Zebra ensemble (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal), the Folkloric Ballet of Arica y Parinacota – BAFOAP (Chile), the Markovac ensemble from Zagreb (Croatia), the Ida-el Barha group from Sulawesi (Indonesia), the Trio Tolkîa (Ireland), El Cuarteto Ventura from Culiacán (Mexico), and the Manahau ballet from Papeete (Tahiti). France is represented by the Batuc'ados de Colombes, the ATP La Savoie, and the Bagad Bro An Aberiou (Brittany).
The ALM Centenary
The 2026 edition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ALM association, the festival's organizing body, with a grand anniversary evening on Saturday, August 1st, on the Terrasse de l'Amitié.
A Week of Festivities
Throughout the week, continuous street entertainment, evenings at the guinguette and bodega, a world market, exhibitions, and sales of art and crafts from the five continents will animate the town. On Friday evening, the “Ville en Fête” (Town in Celebration) event pedestrianizes the town center and features a parade for the public to the rhythm of music and dances.
Programme Cultures aux Cœurs 2026
Monday, July 27, 2026
- 10:00 PM — « World Vizara Night » Evening · Square Louis Aragon · concert with Helmina Vasco (electronic dub) and DJ Crews · free admission
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
- Evening — Opening Panorama of the 45th edition « Couleurs des Cœurs » · Terrasse de l'Amitié · all invited festival groups, original choreography · paid
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- Evening — « Mentissa » Concert · Terrasse de l'Amitié · opening act: les Batuc'ados de Colombes · paid
Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Evening — Gala Evening « De Monts en Lagons » · Terrasse de l'Amitié · ATP La Savoie (France), I Giullari (Italy), Manahau ballet (Tahiti) · paid
Friday, July 31, 2026
- From 8:30 PM — « Ville en Fête » · town center streets and Place d'Armes · entertainment and festive parade, pedestrianized town center · free
Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Evening — ALM Centenary Evening (100 years) · Terrasse de l'Amitié · Markovac ensemble from Zagreb (Croatia), Alma Zebra (South Africa), Ida-el Barha (Indonesia), Manahau ballet (Tahiti), Folkloric Ballet of Arica y Parinacota (Chile) · paid
Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Evening — Closing Panorama of the 45th edition · Terrasse de l'Amitié · all some 300 participating artists · final fireworks · paid
Program subject to change (source: official festival website).
Highlights Cultures aux Cœurs 2026
- 45th edition coinciding with the centenary of the organizing association ALM
- A dozen delegations from five continents (South Africa, Chile, Croatia, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Tahiti…)
- Six grand evenings of shows on the Terrasse de l'Amitié
- « Ville en Fête » (Town in Celebration) evening on Friday with pedestrianized town center and parade
- Closing panorama gathering ~300 artists, followed by a fireworks display
- World market, guinguette, bodega, and art and craft exhibitions from the five continents
Prices Cultures aux Cœurs 2026
Practical information — Cultures aux Cœurs
Practical Information
Access
By car: Montignac-Lascaux is located on the D704, 25 km north of Sarlat-la-Canéda and 45 km southeast of Périgueux. Free parking on the outskirts of the town center.
By train: Nearest SNCF station: Condat-Le Lardin (15 km). Connection by TER bus to Montignac.
Schedules
Evening shows: from 9 p.m. on the Terrasse de l'Amitié. Daytime activities in the streets and squares of the town.
Prices
Evening shows are ticketed (price varies by edition). Street entertainment and Friday parade are free.
Contact
Association Festival de Montignac
Phone: 05 53 51 98 93
Website: www.festivaldemontignac.fr
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Cultures aux Cœurs
Terrasse de l'Amitié et centre-ville de Montignac-Lascaux
57 rue du 4 Septembre, Espace Nelson Mandela, 24290 Montignac-Lascaux