Festival du Chapeau
Amateur theater festival in the heart of Samoëns
About Festival du Chapeau
Festival du Chapeau: Theater Celebration in Samoëns
The Festival du Chapeau was born from the desire of the Association Les Arobades to promote amateur theater in Haute-Savoie and to offer a stage to local troupes. Since its creation, the festival has consistently built a loyal audience attached to the conviviality and good humor that characterize the event.
The festival's name, evocative and original, reflects the quirky and festive spirit of the event. Hats off to the amateur actors who, each year, take the stage with passion and generosity to offer moments of live theater to the Samoëns public.
Two Days of Shows
Each year, the Festival du Chapeau offers four performances over two days, in deliberately varied and accessible genres:
- Comedy — for laughter and lightness
- Vaudeville — for misunderstandings and slamming doors
- Musical Theater — to combine acting and music
- Live Performance — to surprise and move
The participating troupes come from Samoëns, Taninges, Annemasse, and the surrounding communes, forming a vibrant network of amateur theater in Haute-Savoie.
A Free and Friendly Festival
Access to the Festival du Chapeau is completely free, in line with the philosophy of the Association Les Arobades, which aims to make theater accessible to everyone. The warm atmosphere, the lack of barriers, and the proximity between actors and spectators make this festival a special moment in Samoëns' cultural life.
The Association Les Arobades
The Association Les Arobades, the driving force behind the Festival du Chapeau, is an amateur theater troupe based in Samoëns. Throughout the year, it organizes performances, workshops, and theater courses, contributing to the cultural animation of the village and the Giffre valley.
Festival du Chapeau — edition 2026
The 18th edition of the Festival du Chapeau was held on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Espace culturel Le Bois aux Dames in Samoëns. The Association Les Arobades presented four amateur theatre shows, performed by the adult workshops of Samoëns and MJC de Taninges, as well as by the companies Bouilleur de légumes and Plexus. Free access, operating on a 'pay-what-you-can' basis ('au chapeau').
18th Edition — Festival du Chapeau 2026
The Festival du Chapeau celebrated its 18th edition on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Espace culturel Le Bois aux Dames in Samoëns. Organized by the Association Les Arobades, this free event brought together four amateur theatre shows over two evenings, alternating between workshop creations and invited company performances.
Four Shows Over Two Evenings
The 2026 program combined proposals from local workshops and invited amateur companies, in various genres (theatre, monologues, contemporary creations). The troupes came from Samoëns and Taninges.
A 'Pay-What-You-Can' Formula
True to its philosophy, the festival remains entirely free. At the end of each performance, the audience is invited to contribute freely 'au chapeau' (by hat collection) to support the troupes and the organizing association.
Programme Festival du Chapeau 2026
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Monologues en déséquilibre · Samoëns Adult Theatre Workshop
- 8:00 PM — La Face Cachée · Compagnie Bouilleur de légumes (from 10 years old)
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Dire, ou ne pas dire · MJC Taninges Workshop
- 8:00 PM — J'ai bien fait · Compagnie Plexus (from 15 years old)
Highlights Festival du Chapeau 2026
- 18th edition on May 12 and 13, 2026
- 4 amateur theatre shows over 2 evenings
- Espace culturel Le Bois aux Dames, Samoëns
- Completely free access, 'pay-what-you-can' basis ('au chapeau')
- Workshops from Samoëns and Taninges + companies Bouilleur de légumes and Plexus
Prices Festival du Chapeau 2026
Practical information — Festival du Chapeau
Practical Information
Location
Espace culturel Le Bois aux Dames
600 route du Lac aux Dames
74340 Samoëns
Access
By car: from motorway A40, exit n°18 Cluses, then D902 towards Taninges/Samoëns (approx. 20 km).
A free shuttle service is provided by the tourist office from the centre of Samoëns village during the season.
The cultural centre is accessible to people with reduced mobility (reserved parking spaces, ground floor access, adapted doors ≥ 77 cm, accessible restrooms).
Prices
The festival is entirely free, operating on a "hat" system (voluntary contribution from spectators at the end of performances to support the troupes).
Contact
Association Les Arobades
Phone: 06 74 84 74 46
Email: [email protected]
Website: lesarobades.sitew.fr
Animals not allowed in the hall.
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Where does it take place — Festival du Chapeau
Espace culturel Le Bois aux Dames
600 route du Lac aux Dames, 74340 Samoëns, 74340 Samoëns