Festival de l'Eau dans l'Orne
Transcultural and multidisciplinary festival around water in the Orne Pays d'Auge
About Festival de l'Eau
The Festival de l'Eau dans l'Orne is a transcultural and multidisciplinary event organized by the association Les Arts Improvisés in Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval and surrounding communes in the Orne Pays d'Auge. Created in 2019, this festival celebrates the richness of encounters between traditions and modernities, between local and distant cultures, between generations. For two weeks in the summer, it offers concerts, dance performances, popular balls, participatory workshops, screenings, and storytelling around the theme of water, in a festive, friendly, and accessible spirit for all.
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The Festival de l'Eau dans l'Orne: A Transcultural Event in the Heart of the Pays d'Auge
Since 2019, the Festival de l'Eau dans l'Orne has invited residents and visitors to an artistic and cultural celebration centered on the theme of water, a vital and unifying element. Supported by the association Les Arts Improvisés, this festival spans two weeks in the communes of the Orne Pays d'Auge, with Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval as its main anchor point.
A Festive and Multidisciplinary Spirit
The festival embodies a resolutely transcultural, multidisciplinary, and festive spirit. Each edition explores new facets of the aquatic theme through a varied program: concerts, street performances, dance, popular balls, storytelling, screenings, and participatory workshops. The 2025 edition, the 5th, highlighted dance, popular dances, and the spirit of village festivities.
Artists and Encounters
The festival hosts artists from diverse backgrounds, blending music, slam poetry, residents' stories, and participatory creations. The project « L'Œil Écoute L'Oreille Voit » combines music with stories gathered from the inhabitants of the Vallées d'Auge and Merlerault, grounding the festival in the territory and its memories.
Convivial Gatherings
Among the highlights are the surprise aperitifs, dance evenings with groups like Le Mange-Bal, and fireworks displays, all creating a warm and popular atmosphere. The festival also offers an opportunity to discover the natural and built heritage of the Orne Pays d'Auge, between green valleys and characteristic villages.
Strong Territorial Roots
By investing the villages and hamlets of the Orne countryside, the Festival de l'Eau contributes to the cultural animation of rural areas and the valorization of water-related landscapes: rivers, washhouses, springs, and wetlands. It demonstrates a commitment to making culture accessible in rural areas, far from major cities.
Festival de l'Eau — edition 2026
6th edition of the Festival de l'Eau dans l'Orne. Program to be announced. Multidisciplinary shows around water in the Orne Pays d'Auge.
Prices Festival de l'Eau 2026
Practical information — Festival de l'Eau
Access and Transport
By car: Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval is located between Gacé and Vimoutiers, in the Orne Pays d'Auge. From Alençon, take the D438 towards Gacé (approx. 45 minutes). From Lisieux, take the D579 then the D16 (approx. 40 minutes). From Paris, follow the A28 then the D438 via Mortagne-au-Perche (approx. 2.5 hours). Free parking near the various performance venues in the villages.
By train: Nearest stations: Argentan (30 km) or L'Aigle (35 km). No direct public transport to Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval; a car is essential for getting around between festival venues.
Program and Venues
The festival takes place over approximately two weeks in June-July. Performances, concerts, and activities are spread across several communes in the Orne Pays d'Auge, notably Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval, Vimoutiers, and surrounding villages. The detailed program with precise locations and times is announced a few weeks before the festival begins on the Les Arts Improvisés association website and social media.
Prices and Ticketing
Most events are free or donation-based. Some special evenings (concerts, balls) may be ticketed. Tickets for paid events are available on HelloAsso or at the entrance, depending on the case. Contact the association for details on each evening.
Accommodation
The Orne Pays d'Auge offers several accommodation options: rural gîtes, bed and breakfasts, and campsites in the vicinity of Vimoutiers and Gacé. It is advisable to book in advance during the festival period.
Contact
Association Les Arts Improvisés
Phone: 06 52 73 50 72
Website: lesartsimprovises.com
Facebook: Les Arts Improvisés
Practical Tips
- Bring suitable footwear for outdoor performances and rural paths
- Pack a blanket and warm clothing for open-air evenings
- Consult the program for the exact performance locations, which vary daily
- Arrange transportation between the different festival venues
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Festival de l'Eau
Divers lieux à Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval et communes voisines