Festival des Caisses à Savon Divattaises

An unusual festival in the heart of the Nantes Vineyard

Born in 2022 on the slopes of Perthuis Churin in Barbechat, town of Divatte-sur-Loire, the Festival des Caisses à Savon Divattaises is a unique event in Loire-Atlantique, combining a soapbox derby and a music festival. Supported by the association Les Caisses à Savon Divattaises, it offers each year a day of spectacular competition followed by a festive evening with open-air concerts.

A spectacular 800-meter race

The concept is simple and wild: teams build their own engine-less vehicles and race down an 800-meter track dotted with obstacles in the heart of the Nantes Vineyard. The race, open to all levels, brings together seasoned drivers and enthusiastic amateurs. The tradition of soapbox racing dates back to the United States in 1933, when a soap merchant had the idea of including construction plans for vehicles in his wooden crates. In Europe, this practice appeared at the end of World War II, and France organized its first automobile derby for under-15s in 1950.

A festive program from morning to night

The typical festival day is organized around several highlights:

• 9:00 AM — Site and pits open
• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM — Free practice for drivers
• 1:30 PM — Race start with official announcer
• 6:30 PM — Award ceremony
• 7:30 PM — Music festival opens
• 8:00 PM — Concerts

Over the editions, the musical lineup has grown with renowned artists. The 2024 edition notably featured Magic System, Chef and The Gang (Philippe Etchebest's rock band), and Yofunders. In 2025, Lartiste and Adrien Toma joined the lineup alongside Chef and The Gang.

A growing event

Since its first edition in 2022, which brought together 50 drivers and featured a Fun Radio DJ Set, the festival has continued to grow. The 3rd edition in 2024 attracted over 7,000 spectators who came to cheer on 46 intrepid teams. The race was broadcast live on giant screens using a setup of 6 cameras connected by two kilometers of fiber optic cable. For its 5th edition in 2026, the festival is introducing a major new feature: the kids' race, opening the competition to younger drivers.