Festival des Bastides Enchantées

The Enchanted Bastides: when choirs make heritage vibrate

Created by the Association Bastides des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the Festival des Bastides Enchantées is a unique event that combines architectural heritage and intangible musical heritage. Each summer, the medieval bastides of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department become the settings for choir concerts that resonate with traditional Basque, Béarnais, and Bigourdan songs in places steeped in history.

An original friendly competition format

The festival is organized around a selection tour in six bastides of the department, from June to August. During each concert, two groups of singers present a repertoire of about ten songs, at least half of which come from the traditional regional repertoire (Basque, Béarnais, Bigourdan, or Landes songs), the others being left to the choir's free choice.

It is the public that votes to decide between the groups and designate the one that qualifies for the grand finale. This popular voting system guarantees the authenticity and conviviality of the competition, transforming each concert into a moment of sharing and celebration.

The Grand Finale

The finale, organized on the first Saturday of September, brings together the six or seven qualified choirs from the selection concerts. Each group performs three songs: two chosen by the public vote and one selected by all participants. The finale takes place each year in a different bastide: Navarrenx, Garlin, Lestelle-Bétharram, Arzacq, La Bastide-Clairence, Assat, Montaut, or Tardets-Sorholus have hosted this event over the editions.

A popular and accessible festival

The selection concerts attract 100 to 400 spectators, while the finale brings together 500 to 800 people. Access to the concerts is free or donation-based, in a spirit of sharing and discovery of the regional choral heritage. The festival thus contributes to the enhancement of the Pyrenean bastides and the transmission of local musical traditions.