Loupiote Festival

Living tradition in the heart of a medieval village

Nestled on a promontory overlooking the vineyards and forests of the Gaillac region, the medieval village of Castelnau-de-Montmiral — ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages in France — is the ideal setting for a festival dedicated to the living music and dances of the regions. The Loupiote Festival, whose name evokes the small flickering light that guides in the night, is precisely this festival that illuminates the village and its surroundings every summer.

Founded by the association Colo & Co and supported by La Lanterne Productions, the festival was created with the ambition to foster a meeting space between practitioners of traditional music and dance and the general public. In five editions, it has established itself as one of the essential events for folk and popular traditions in Occitanie, attracting groups from all over the Massif Central and beyond.

A program for dancing, learning, and sharing

The Loupiote Festival is above all a participatory festival. Beyond the concerts and shows, it offers a rich program of workshops and classes open to everyone, from beginners to experienced dancers. Auvergne bourrée, mazurka, waltz, polka, scottish, fest-noz: all the circle and couple dances from the Massif Central and neighboring regions are featured, taught by passionate musicians and dancers who generously share their knowledge with pedagogical skill.

The folk dances (bals folk) are the beating heart of the festival. Every evening, the village square and the open-air stages transform into a huge dance floor where all generations gather to dance together to the sound of diatonic accordions, veuzes, hurdy-gurdies, bagpipes, and other traditional instruments. The atmosphere of the Loupiote dances is renowned for its warmth and accessibility: elders initiate newcomers, children dance with grandparents, and regulars welcome tourists.

The richness of the Massif Central in focus

The Massif Central is one of the richest regions in Europe for traditional music and dances. This geographical and cultural area is the cradle of vibrant traditions covering Auvergne, Velay, Vivarais, Rouergue, Quercy, Limousin, and of course Occitanie. The Loupiote Festival has set itself the mission of valuing this richness by highlighting it and making it shine.

The programmed groups often come from Tarn and neighboring departments — Aveyron, Lot, Hérault, Puy-de-Dôme — but also sometimes from further afield for cultural exchanges. The festival also hosts musicians and troupes working on contemporary creation based on traditions, blending ancient instruments with modern musical approaches.

Five days in the Most Beautiful Villages of France

The duration of the festival — five days from July 2 to 6 — allows for a combination of evening concerts, night dances, daytime workshops, and moments of collective life in the exceptional setting of Castelnau-de-Montmiral. The medieval village, with its cobbled streets, its 16th-century market hall, and its brick and half-timbered houses, offers a naturally festive backdrop conducive to gatherings.

Many festival-goers choose to stay for the entire five days, lodging in campsites and guesthouses in the village and surrounding areas, thus creating a true ephemeral community during the festival around the values of sharing, transmission, and joie de vivre that are at the heart of folk and traditional culture.

The 5th edition in 2025: maturity achieved

The 5th edition of the Loupiote Festival, from July 2 to 6, 2025, marked the festival's entry into maturity. After five years of existence, the festival has succeeded in retaining a large audience and attracting new festival-goers seduced by its quality programming, its friendly atmosphere, and its sincere commitment to the values of living music and popular traditions. Castelnau-de-Montmiral once again transformed into the Occitan capital of folk and traditional music for a beautiful week in July.