Montoire Festival - Dances and Music of the World

The Montoire Festival: over fifty years of world cultures

The Montoire Festival is an international folklore festival held every August in Montoire-sur-le-Loir, in Loir-et-Cher. Created in 1973, it is one of the oldest and most important festivals of world dances and music in France, affiliated with CIOFF (International Council of Traditional Music and Folklore Festivals), an official partner organization of UNESCO.

A crossroads of world cultures

Each edition hosts about ten countries represented by traditional dance and music troupes. Nearly 280 artists from around the world gather in Montoire to share their intangible cultural heritage. Previous editions have featured artists from Turkey, Togo, Kyrgyzstan, Peru, Cuba, India, France, Taiwan, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and many other nations.

Galas under the Palais de Toile

The festival evenings take place under the Palais de Toile, a large tent structure where themed galas are presented. Each evening, invited troupes offer a show of traditional dances and music around a chosen theme. The opening night brings together all the troupes for a spectacular inaugural gala.

Danse la rue and free entertainment

The highlight of the festival is Danse la rue (Dance the Street), a free event open to all. Troupes perform on three stages in the center of Montoire before joining for a grand parade around Place Clemenceau. In addition, free dance workshops are offered daily, illustrated conferences provide deeper insights into the represented cultures, and free front-stage concerts enrich the program.

A living heritage

The Montoire Festival is committed to the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. By hosting troupes practicing traditional dances and music that are often threatened, the festival contributes to the transmission and valorization of these cultural expressions to the French and international public.