Festival de la Soupe

The Festival de la Soupe: A Gourmet Tradition in Saint-Julien-Chapteuil

Created in 2006 on the initiative of Marguerite Reynaud, the event's founder who wanted to remain faithful to the Auvergne tradition of cabbage soup while evolving it, the Festival de la Soupe has become over the years one of the most popular summer events on the Mézenc-Meygal plateau. Organized by the association Les Compagnons de Chapteuil, founded in 1992, the festival is held every summer in the courtyard of the École des Copains, Place de l'Europe, in Saint-Julien-Chapteuil.

A Unique Concept: Unlimited Soup and Creative Themes

The principle of the Festival de la Soupe is as simple as it is generous: two evenings, over 800 liters of soup per evening, prepared by local restaurateurs, associations, and residents of the surrounding hamlets. Each edition is centered around an original theme that inspires the recipes, soup names, decorations, and costumes. Over the years, festival-goers have traveled through volcanic peaks (2022), the Wild West and cowboys (2023), soups of yesteryear (2024), and island flavors (2025).

For €15 per person, the meal includes unlimited soup, a platter of charcuterie and cheese, a dessert, a welcome drink, and lively musical entertainment throughout the evening. Festival-goers are often encouraged to come in costume according to the year's theme, adding a festive and participatory dimension to the event.

A Commitment to Solidarity

True to its values, the Festival de la Soupe donates €1 per ticket each year to cancer research, via the Haute-Loire committee of the League Against Cancer. This solidarity commitment is an integral part of the festival's identity. In 2023, the association Les Compagnons de Chapteuil thus donated €1,500 to the League Against Cancer, from the festival's proceeds.

From Humble Beginnings to a Major Event

In its early days, the festival was held in the village's upper square with small pots. Due to its growing success, the event quickly moved to the school courtyard to accommodate an ever-increasing audience. The profits generated by the festival also allow the association to fund an autumnal theatrical production, thus perpetuating a vibrant cultural tradition in Saint-Julien-Chapteuil.

An Event Driven by Volunteers

Nearly 80 volunteers mobilize each year for several weeks to prepare the festival: cooking, decoration, logistics, service, and entertainment. This collective effort makes the Festival de la Soupe a true participatory project, rooted in the associative and community life of Saint-Julien-Chapteuil.