Festival des 7 Lunes

The Festival des 7 Lunes: A Cultural Adventure in the Heart of Velay

Since 1997, the Festival des 7 Lunes has enlivened the town of Lapte, in the Pays des Sucs region of Haute-Loire, every summer. Born from the vision of Gérard Defour, founder and president of the Groupe Animation Loisirs (GAL) of Lapte, this festival is above all a popular celebration that aims to be "at the crossroads of landscapes, words, old stones, music, characters, text lovers, and storytellers".

A Festival Rooted in Local Community Life

The GAL of Lapte, a socio-cultural association active since 1976, is the driving force behind this event. With its 150 members and 16 activities offered throughout the year (children's and adult theater, dance, visual arts, lace-making, knitting, cinema, Nordic walking, Pilates...), the GAL makes the festival a showcase of local cultural richness. The Gérard Defour theater, named after the founder who passed away in 2009, hosts the association's cultural season from September to May.

From Readings Aloud to a Multidisciplinary Festival

In its early days, the Festival des 7 Lunes was primarily a festival of readings aloud, a rare and demanding artistic discipline. Over the years, it has expanded its program to include theater, music, contemporary dance, storytelling, exhibitions, and short film screenings, while retaining its literary DNA. Readings aloud workshops, led in particular by Carole Gentil from the Compagnie du Ruisseau, regularly punctuate the program.

Prestigious Patrons and Artists

The festival has attracted personalities from the performing arts world. Catherine Dasté, a descendant of the prestigious theatrical lineage of Jacques Copeau and Jean Dasté, was the festival's godmother from 1999 to 2018, stating that "this festival is a necessary fight to keep art alive". Actor Tcheky Karyo has been its patron since 2012. Among the artists hosted over the years: Rufus, Dominique Pinon, Jacques Bonnaffé, Francis Huster, Jean-Claude Dreyfus, François Martouret, and Marianne Epin.

An Open-Air Cultural Village

For three days, the festival transforms Lapte into a true cultural village. Concerts, theater and dance performances, staged readings, participatory workshops, exhibitions of visual arts, lace, and knitting, a free open stage, an open-air library, wooden games, and food stalls offering local products make up a rich and accessible program. The festival cultivates a warm and friendly atmosphere, true to the spirit of popular culture championed by its founder: "emotion, anger, humor, commitment, and encounters".

New Momentum Since 2022

In March 2022, Rémi Brenière and Dominique Gutton took over as co-presidents of the festival, succeeding Paul Meyer, who had led the association for ten years. Under their impetus, the festival underwent a transformation in 2022 for its 25th edition, moving to the park of the Château de La Rochette in Lapte, a prestigious setting dominated by a 34-meter sequoia tree. In 2024, for its 27th edition, the festival moved to the old village school, at 54 rue du Dr-Tassy, continuing its renewal dynamic while remaining true to its roots.