Festival de Carcassonne
The great summer festival in the heart of the medieval City
About Festival de Carcassonne
The Festival de Carcassonne is one of the largest performing arts festivals in the south of France, welcoming over 200,000 spectators each summer at the foot of the ramparts of the UNESCO-listed medieval City. Created in 2006, it offers more than 120 shows throughout July on about ten stages, mixing pop concerts, rock, classical music, opera, dance, theater, and circus. The festival is distinguished by its dual programming: the Festival IN at the Théâtre Jean-Deschamps and in the City, and the free Festival OFF in the Bastide.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Festival de Carcassonne at the best price.
Sponsored link
A major festival in the heart of the medieval City
Since 2006, the Festival de Carcassonne has established itself as one of the major cultural events in the south of France. Every summer, throughout the month of July, the medieval City of Carcassonne transforms into a vast open-air performance venue. The Théâtre Jean-Deschamps, a 3,000-seat amphitheater nestled in the heart of the ramparts, hosts the biggest national and international artists in an absolutely unique setting. In 2025, the festival celebrated its 20th edition with over 13 sold-out IN Festival shows.
An eclectic and ambitious program
The strength of the Festival de Carcassonne lies in the diversity of its programming. The Festival IN offers about fifteen paid concerts at the Théâtre Jean-Deschamps and in the main courtyard of the Château Comtal: French pop, international rock, classical music, opera, dance, and theater. In 2025, artists such as Gojira, Judas Priest, Alanis Morissette, Julien Doré, Robert Plant, and Eddy Mitchell graced the stage. In 2026, the lineup includes Franz Ferdinand, Christophe Maé, Chris Isaak, Zaz, Booba, Kool and The Gang, and the Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter.
The Festival OFF: culture for everyone
Alongside the Festival IN, the Festival OFF offers over 80 completely free shows in the Bastide Saint-Louis. The squares and plazas of the lower town — Place Carnot, Square André-Chénier, Hôtel de Rolland, Église Saint-Vincent — transform into open stages hosting local and national artists in all genres: jazz, rock, French chanson, rap, world music, street arts, and shows for young audiences. The OFF embodies the popular and festive dimension of the festival, accessible to all without condition.
An exceptional heritage setting
The Festival de Carcassonne benefits from an incomparable setting: the medieval City, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, with its 52 towers and double ramparts. The Théâtre Jean-Deschamps, inaugurated in 1908 for the first theatrical performance in the City (La Fille de Roland), offers remarkable acoustics and a breathtaking view of the illuminated ramparts. This marriage of ancient heritage and contemporary creation makes the Festival de Carcassonne a unique artistic and sensory experience in France.
Festival de Carcassonne — edition 2026
The 21st edition of the Festival de Carcassonne will take place from July 4 to 31, 2026. The revealed lineup includes Franz Ferdinand, Christophe Maé, Chris Isaak, Tom Odell, Zaz, Booba, Ludovico Einaudi, Kool and The Gang, and Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter. Over 150 concerts, including 100 free ones, are planned.
21st Festival de Carcassonne — Summer 2026
The Festival de Carcassonne 2026 promises a spectacular edition from July 4 to 31, 2026, with over 150 concerts, including 100 free ones. The Festival IN lineup is already impressive: Franz Ferdinand (July 27), Christophe Maé (July 18), Chris Isaak (July 16), Tom Odell (July 22), Zaz, Booba (July 23), Ludovico Einaudi, Kool and The Gang (July 31), and the Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter (July 28). The Festival OFF will, as every year, take over the Bastide with about a hundred free shows.
Highlights Festival de Carcassonne 2026
- Franz Ferdinand and Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter for rock nights
- Booba in a special concert on July 23rd
- Kool and The Gang to close the festival on July 31st
- Chris Isaak, Tom Odell, Zaz, and Ludovico Einaudi
- Over 150 concerts, including 100 free ones (Festival OFF)
Prices Festival de Carcassonne 2026
Practical information — Festival de Carcassonne
Practical information
Access
The Festival de Carcassonne takes place in the medieval City and in the Bastide Saint-Louis in Carcassonne (11000).
- Théâtre Jean-Deschamps: Cité médiévale, 11000 Carcassonne
- By car: A61 motorway (Toulouse-Narbonne), exit Carcassonne Ouest. Free park-and-ride facilities with shuttle buses.
- By train: Carcassonne SNCF station (TGV from Paris in 5h, TER from Toulouse in 1h).
- By plane: Carcassonne-Salvaza Airport (Ryanair flights from several European cities).
Prices
- Festival IN: €25 to €75 depending on the show and category
- Festival OFF: Free
Usual Dates
Throughout the month of July, generally from July 1st to 31st.
Ticketing
- PAC Billetterie: Dôme Convention Center, Carcassonne
- Phone: 04 68 11 59 15
- Email: [email protected]
Contact
- Website: festivaldecarcassonne.fr
- Phone: 04 68 11 59 15
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Festival de Carcassonne at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Festival de Carcassonne
Théâtre Jean-Deschamps
Cité Médiévale, 11000 Carcassonne