Festival en Gévaudan
Celtic festival in the heart of Gévaudan in Haute-Loire
About Festival en Gévaudan
The Celtic Gathering of Gévaudan
Created in 2007, the Festival en Gévaudan is a 100% volunteer association event that celebrates Celtic culture every summer in Saugues, in the heart of Haute-Loire. Born from the desire of about ten festival committees in the canton to fill the lack of strong cultural entertainment in the southwest of the department, the festival chose Celtic culture as its common thread, drawing from the legends and history of Gévaudan a natural ground to welcome traditions from Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany.
A 100% Volunteer Festival
The Festival en Gévaudan association, created in November 2006 under the 1901 law, is co-chaired by Thierry Bonnet and Séverine Laurent. Approximately 170 volunteers, including 14 members of the board of directors, work all year round to prepare the three days of festivities. The annual budget is around 200,000 euros, financed 25% by sponsorship and the rest by ticket sales, bar, and catering managed by the volunteers themselves.
Three Days of Celtic Celebration
The festival spans three days, with a now well-established format:
Opening Village
On Thursday, a village in the canton hosts the opening day. The program includes: hikes through the Haut-Allier landscapes, guided tours, outdoor entertainment, a friendly meal with local flavors, and a free concert under a marquee in the evening. This day highlights the rural heritage and local producers of the area.
Friday and Saturday in Saugues
The following two days take place in Saugues, in a covered market transformed into a concert hall. The program alternates between:
- Free OFF concerts in the late afternoon, accessible to all
- Paid IN concerts in the evening, featuring the headliners
- Artisan market with glassblowing demonstrations and Celtic crafts
- Bagpipe parades in the streets with pipe bands and Continental Caledonia
- Street performances and traveling troupes
- Children's activities: face painting, games, treasure hunts
- Local gastronomy and bar
A Legendary Setting
Saugues, a land of legends in the heart of Gévaudan, offers an exceptional setting for the festival. The village, its medieval streets, and its green landscapes create a unique atmosphere where Celtic culture meets local traditions. As festival-goers summarize: “It’s a truly extraordinary place and it’s magical.”
Accessibility and Friendliness
True to its founding values, the festival prioritizes accessible prices, a quality program blending discoveries and renowned artists, cultural diversity, warm hospitality, and accessibility for people with reduced mobility with priority seating. Free admission for children under 12 accompanied by an adult and free OFF concerts allow all budgets to enjoy the event.
Festival en Gévaudan — edition 2026
19th Edition: From August 6th to 8th, 2026
The Festival en Gévaudan returns for its 19th edition from August 6th to 8th, 2026 in Saugues. The festival continues its Celtic adventure with a program that blends artists from the Celtic scene and French chanson.
Friday, August 7th
The Friday evening will feature The Celtic Social Club, a Franco-Irish septet of Celtic rock and Celtic Soul celebrating their tenth anniversary with a new album, You Should Know. Blending influences from The Clash, The Pogues, and Fontaines D.C., the band promises a true stage experience enhanced by a new Dublin-born singer. As the opening act, The Celtic Tramps will offer their traditional acoustic Celtic music, supported by their first album Premier Banquet with purely acoustic instrumentation.
Saturday, August 8th
The headliner for Saturday will be Cali, on summer tour with a full studio band (guitars, bass, drums, keyboards). The artist will present a completely revisited best-of as well as new, unreleased compositions. Opening the evening, Julien Lieb, finalist of Star Academy 2024 and NRJ Music Award for French Male Revelation 2025, will present his debut album Naufragé in a sensitive, sincere, and refined universe.
As every year, the festival will also offer an opening village on Thursday, an artisan market, bagpipe parades, street performances, children's activities, and local gastronomy.
Programme Festival en Gévaudan 2026
Thursday, August 6, 2026 — Opening Day (new)
During the day: shows and demonstrations organized by local associations, Celtic music groups, craft demonstrations, and hikes in the footsteps of the Beast of Gévaudan. At 7 PM, official opening in the central square followed by a convivial meal. In the evening, free concert by the group Atou'Trèfle (folk with Celtic sounds, winner of the Lignerock springboard).
Friday, August 7, 2026 — Saugues, Covered Market
During the day: craft market, entertainment, bagpipe parades, street shows, and free OFF concerts.
- Celtic evening at the covered market: The Celtic Tramps (first part, acoustic Celtic music, first album Premier Banquet) then The Celtic Social Club (Franco-Irish Celtic rock / Celtic Soul septet, new album You Should Know).
Saturday, August 8, 2026 — Saugues, Covered Market
During the day: craft market, children's entertainment, bagpipe parades, and street shows.
- Evening at the covered market: Julien Lieb (first part, finalist of Star Academy 2024, first album Naufragé) then Cali (headliner, summer tour with full band, revisited best of and unreleased tracks).
Highlights Festival en Gévaudan 2026
- 19th edition of the Saugues Celtic Festival
- The Celtic Social Club: Franco-Irish Celtic rock septet celebrating their 10th anniversary
- The Celtic Tramps: traditional acoustic Celtic music
- Cali headlining Saturday with a revisited best-of
- Julien Lieb: French Revelation 2025, Star Academy 2024 finalist
- Thursday opening village with free concert
- Artisan market, bagpipe parades, and street performances
- Children's activities and local gastronomy
Prices Festival en Gévaudan 2026
Practical information — Festival en Gévaudan
Practical Information
Access
Saugues is located in the department of Haute-Loire (43), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the southwest of the department on the border of Lozère.
- By car: From Le Puy-en-Velay, take the N88 then the D585 towards Saugues (approx. 45 minutes). From Saint-Flour, follow the D4 (approx. 50 minutes).
- By train: Nearest stations are Langeac (30 km) on the Cévenol line or Le Puy-en-Velay. Shuttles or carpooling to reach Saugues.
Festival Venues
- Opening Village (Thursday): A village in the canton hosts the opening day with hikes, entertainment, and a free concert under a marquee.
- Music Hub - Saugues Covered Market (Friday and Saturday): IN and OFF concerts.
- Saugues Town Center: Artisan market, bagpipe parades, street performances, children's activities.
Prices (2025 Edition)
- Friday evening: 31 euros
- Saturday evening: 29 euros
- 2-day Pass: 49 euros
- OFF Concerts: Free
- Under 12s accompanied: Free
Ticketing
Tickets are available online on the official festival website via the Billetweb platform.
Accommodation
Several accommodation options are available in Saugues and the surrounding area. Contact the Saugues Tourist Office for a complete list of gîtes, bed and breakfasts, and campsites.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Saugues Tourist Office: Place du 11 Novembre, 43170 Saugues - Tel: 04 71 77 71 38 - [email protected]
- Website: festivalengevaudan.com
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Where does it take place — Festival en Gévaudan
Marché couvert et centre-ville de Saugues
Marché couvert, centre-ville, 43170 Saugues