Festival de Terre-Neuve
Open-air theatre in the heart of Vendée's heritage
About Terre-Neuve
The Festival de Terre-Neuve: Theatre Under the Vendée Stars
Created in 2002 on the initiative of the owner of the Château de Terre-Neuve and the Department of Vendée, the Festival de Terre-Neuve has become one of the major cultural events in southern Vendée. Every year in June, the majestic inner courtyard of this 16th-century Renaissance jewel is transformed into an open-air theatre where great voices from the classical and contemporary repertoire resonate.
An Exceptional Heritage Setting
The Château de Terre-Neuve, a listed Historic Monument, offers a naturally theatrical backdrop. Built in the 16th century for Nicolas Rapin, a poet and companion of Henri IV, this masterpiece of Vendée Renaissance welcomes spectators to its inner courtyard, where the intricate architecture of the white stone facades serves as a setting for the productions. The intimacy of the place creates a rare proximity between the actors and the audience, enhancing the intensity of each performance.
A Demanding and Eclectic Program
Each year, the festival presents seven to nine shows, blending major classics of the repertoire — Molière, Marivaux, Shakespeare, Feydeau, Anouilh, Gogol — with bold contemporary creations. Leading actors have graced this stage over the years: Fabrice Luchini, Gérard Jugnot, Michel Galabru, Francis Huster, and Michel Leeb. The festival has also embraced comedy and one-man shows with vibrant tributes.
Performances Relocated to Vendée Châteaux
For several editions, the festival has expanded beyond Fontenay-le-Comte, taking over other remarkable heritage sites in Vendée, such as the Château de Commequiers and the Parc de Soubise in Mouchamps. These 'off-site' performances help spread open-air theatre throughout the department and introduce the public to other Vendée architectural gems.
A Festival Driven by a Passion for Live Performance
Organized by the Department of Vendée in partnership with the château owners, the festival benefits from strong commitment from local authorities and a growing, loyal audience. The event contributes to the cultural and tourist dynamism of southern Vendée and Fontenay-le-Comte, a city of art and history at the gateway to the Marais Poitevin.
Terre-Neuve — edition 2026
The 23rd edition of the Festival de Terre-Neuve takes place from June 12 to 26, 2026, in Vendée, featuring nine open-air theatre performances. Seven evenings are scheduled in the Renaissance courtyard of the Château de Terre-Neuve in Fontenay-le-Comte, complemented by two 'off-site' performances at the Château de Commequiers (June 12) and the Château du Parc Soubise in Mouchamps (June 16). On the program: Alex Lutz, Les Misérables, Marius, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 12 Angry Men, and Marivaux.
A 23rd Edition Between Classics and Contemporary Creations
For 2026, the Festival de Terre-Neuve offers nine performances spread across three Vendée châteaux, from June 12 to 26. The event opens with two off-site performances in remarkable heritage sites, then continues from June 18 in the inner courtyard of the Château de Terre-Neuve in Fontenay-le-Comte, with seven open-air theatre evenings.
The 2026 Headliners
The program brings together renowned actors from the French theatrical scene around great repertoire works and original creations: Alex Lutz in his one-man show Sexe, grog et rocking chair (June 19), Victor Hugo's Les Misérables in an adaptation by Manon Montel (June 18), Marcel Pagnol's Marius directed by Jean-Philippe Daguerre (June 24), Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray by Thomas Le Douarec (June 25), Reginald Rose's 12 Angry Men directed by Charles Tordjman (June 23), or Eugène Labiche's Le voyage de Monsieur Perrichon by Frédérique Lazarini (June 22).
Two 'Off-Site' Performances
As every season, the festival extends beyond Fontenay-le-Comte. On June 12, Saint-Exupéry, le commandeur des oiseaux, a one-man show by Franck Desmedt directed by Benoît Lavigne, opens the edition at the Château de Commequiers. On June 16, Marivaux's La Double Inconstance, directed by Jean-Paul Tribout, is performed at the Château du Parc Soubise in Mouchamps.
Ticket Office
The ticket office has been open since March 31, 2026, on evenements.vendee.fr or by phone at 02 28 85 85 70. Three subscription packages allow combining several shows (3, 5, or 7 performances).
Programme Terre-Neuve 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026 — Château de Commequiers
- 9:00 PM — Saint-Exupéry, le commandeur des oiseaux · Text by Mathieu Rannou, directed by Benoît Lavigne, with Franck Desmedt. A one-man show dedicated to the author of The Little Prince.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 — Château du Parc Soubise (Mouchamps)
- 9:00 PM — La Double Inconstance · By Marivaux, directed by Jean-Paul Tribout. With Baptiste Bordet, Marilyne Fontaine, Emma Gamet, Agathe Quelquejay, Lou Noerie, Thomas Sagols, Anthony Audoux, Xavier Simonin, Jean-Paul Tribout.
Thursday, June 18, 2026 — Château de Terre-Neuve (Fontenay-le-Comte)
- 9:30 PM — Les Misérables · Based on Victor Hugo, adapted and directed by Manon Montel. With Claire Faurot, Sacha Petronijevic (Jean Valjean), Thomas Willaime, Alain Guillo.
Friday, June 19, 2026 — Château de Terre-Neuve
- 9:30 PM — Alex Lutz, sexe, grog et rocking chair · Written and performed by Alex Lutz, directed by Tom Dingler.
Monday, June 22, 2026 — Château de Terre-Neuve
- 9:30 PM — Le voyage de Monsieur Perrichon · By Eugène Labiche, directed by Frédérique Lazarini. With Cédric Colas, Emmanuelle Galabru, Hugo Givort, Arthur Guezennec, Messaline Paillet, Guillaume Veyre.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 — Château de Terre-Neuve
- 9:30 PM — 12 Angry Men · By Reginald Rose, directed by Charles Tordjman. With Amine Chaïb, Antoine Courtray, Philippe Crubezy, Olivier Cruveiller and others in alternation.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 — Château de Terre-Neuve
- 9:30 PM — Marius · By Marcel Pagnol, directed by Jean-Philippe Daguerre. With Juliette Behar, Grégoire Bourbier, Romain Lagarde, Teddy Melis, Christophe Mie, Solange Milhaud, Geoffrey Palisse.
Thursday, June 25, 2026 — Château de Terre-Neuve
- 9:30 PM — The Picture of Dorian Gray · Based on Oscar Wilde, adapted and directed by Thomas Le Douarec. With Mickael Winum, Caroline Devismes, Fabrice Scott, Thomas Le Douarec.
Friday, June 26, 2026 — Château de Terre-Neuve
- 9:30 PM — Tout contre la terre · Text by Rémi Couturier, directed by Marie Benati and Rémi Couturier. With Merryl Beaudonnet, Charlotte Bigeard, Rémi Couturier, Charlie Fargialla, Emmanuel Gruat, Thibaud Pommier.
Highlights Terre-Neuve 2026
- Alex Lutz in a one-man show on June 19 with Sexe, grog et rocking chair
- An adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables by Manon Montel opening the season in Fontenay-le-Comte (June 18)
- Two 'off-site' evenings in exceptional Vendée châteaux: Commequiers (June 12) and Parc Soubise in Mouchamps (June 16)
- 9 open-air performances over 15 days, alternating great classics (Hugo, Pagnol, Marivaux, Wilde, Labiche), social plays (Reginald Rose), and contemporary creations
- A lineup featuring renowned actors: Alex Lutz, Franck Desmedt, Emmanuelle Galabru, Jean-Paul Tribout…
Prices Terre-Neuve 2026
Practical information — Terre-Neuve
Practical Information
Access
By car: The Château de Terre-Neuve is located in the heart of Fontenay-le-Comte, 50 minutes from La Roche-sur-Yon and 1 hour from Niort. Follow signs for 'Château de Terre-Neuve'. Parking available nearby.
Address: Château de Terre-Neuve, Fontenay-le-Comte (85200).
Ticketing
Book online at evenements.vendee.fr or by phone at 02 28 85 85 70 (Monday to Friday, 10 am-12:30 pm and 1:30 pm-5:30 pm).
- Full price: €24 (€18 for off-site performances)
- Reduced price: €16 (€12 off-site) — under 26s, job seekers, PSH, groups of 20+
- Season tickets: from €63 (3 shows) to €112 (full pass 7 shows)
Tips
Performances are held in the evening (8:30 pm or 9:30 pm) in the open air: bring a light jacket for the end of the evening. Arrive early to enjoy the exceptional setting of the château before the curtain rises. In case of bad weather, performances are maintained unless conditions are extreme.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Terre-Neuve
Château de Terre-Neuve
Château de Terre-Neuve, 85200 Fontenay-le-Comte