Festival OFF de Carcassonne

Culture with Free Access in the Bastide

Since the creation of the Festival de Carcassonne in 2006, the Festival OFF has been the free and popular counterpart to the Festival IN. For over a month, from the end of June to the end of July, the squares, plazas, and gardens of Bastide Saint-Louis transform into open-air stages. More than 80 completely free shows are programmed each summer, attracting tens of thousands of spectators who come to enjoy a rich and varied cultural offering with no access restrictions.

Stages Scattered Throughout the City

The Festival OFF takes over the emblematic locations of the Bastide: Place Carnot, the beating heart of the lower town with its Neptune fountain; Square André-Chénier, a green space on the edge of the Canal du Midi; the Hôtel de Rolland, a superb 18th-century private mansion; the Église Saint-Vincent and its Gothic volumes for sacred and classical music concerts; as well as the Berges de l'Aude, a bucolic setting for open-air performances. This geographical dispersion allows visitors to discover the city while being carried away by music and street arts.

An Eclectic and Festive Program

The OFF's program covers all genres and disciplines: French chanson, jazz, rock, world music, rap, reggae, classical music, circus shows, street arts, street theater, and shows for young audiences. Local and regional artists mingle with national companies, offering an exceptional showcase for emerging talents as well as established performers. The evening concerts, particularly on Place Carnot, create a festive and convivial atmosphere that extends summer evenings into the heart of the night.

An Unmissable Popular Event

The Festival OFF de Carcassonne has established itself as an unmissable summer event in Carcassonne. With its completely free access, it fulfills an essential mission of cultural democratization, allowing all audiences—families, young people, tourists, residents—to enjoy a quality program. The growing attendance of the OFF, which now attracts several tens of thousands of spectators each summer, testifies to its success and its place in the Occitan cultural landscape.