Fête de la Migration d'Arjuzanx
Biennial Migration Festival at the Arjuzanx Nature Reserve, held in even-numbered years
2026
About Festival of Cranes
The Arjuzanx Migration Festival takes place every two years, during even-numbered years, at the Arjuzanx National Nature Reserve in the Landes region. It celebrates the passage of migratory species, signaling the upcoming arrival of common cranes to the area.
Stands, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, screenings, and hikes bring together numerous advocates for biodiversity. The event is free, with reservations required for certain activities.
Festival of Cranes — edition 2026
On Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th, 2026, the Arjuzanx Nature Reserve celebrates migratory species, just a few weeks before the arrival of the common cranes. The program includes: stalls, workshops, lectures, the opening of the "Migrants of the Landes" exhibition, a screening of "Le Busard sur la paille", and a hike on the Crane Plateau.
This free event is a biennial: the 2024 edition was the Crane Festival, featuring pianist Lorenzo Naccarato and his bird tour. In 2026, the reserve is broadening the scope to migration in general, covering birds "and more", as part of the European Migration Days.
The event, organized by the Syndicat mixte de gestion des milieux naturels, brings together numerous biodiversity stakeholders: LPO, GIFS France, Landes Hunters Federation, Landes Fishing Federation, Paloume, and the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Highlights Festival of Cranes 2026
- Saturday: lectures on migration strategies, wood pigeons, eels, and red-backed shrikes
- Saturday 11:45 AM: opening of the "Migrants of the Landes" photo exhibition
- Saturday 5:30 PM: film "Le Busard sur la paille" and debate with Alain Leroux
- Sunday 9:30 AM: hike on the Crane Plateau
- Sunday 2:30 PM: "Understanding Common Cranes" lecture
Programme Festival of Cranes 2026
Saturday, October 10th, 2026
- 9:30 AM–5:00 PM — Stalls, games, educational and artistic workshops · Maison de site
- 9:30 AM–11:30 AM — Lectures: "Different migration strategies" by the LPO; "On the path of the wood pigeons" by GIFS France and the Landes Hunters Federation
- 11:45 AM — Opening of the photo exhibition "Migrants of the Landes" by Paul Ribat
- 2:00 PM–5:00 PM — Lectures: "The eel, a great migrant" by the Landes Fishing Federation; "Migration and its dangers, what care is needed" by Paloume; "Arjuzanx, a stopover for the red-backed shrike" by the Arjuzanx Reserve
- 5:30 PM — Screening of the film "Le Busard sur la paille" (52-minute documentary) followed by a debate on the Montagu's harrier with co-author Alain Leroux · Maison de site · booking required, limited spaces
Sunday, October 11th, 2026
- 9:30 AM–12:00 PM — Guided hike to discover the Crane Plateau in the Nature Reserve (approx. 2 hours of walking, not recommended for children under 10) · booking required, limited spaces
- 2:30 PM — "Understanding Common Cranes", a lecture by the Reserve team: the life of cranes, their migration, and over 20 years of monitoring · booking required, limited spaces
Program published by the Arjuzanx Nature Reserve. All activities are free. Booking via Billetweb is required for the film, the hike, and the Sunday lecture.
Prices Festival of Cranes 2026
Practical information — Festival of Cranes
Location
Activities take place at the Arjuzanx Nature Reserve (Route de la Forêt, 40110 Morcenx-la-Nouvelle), at the site's visitor center, and throughout the reserve. Reserve address and phone number: 05 58 08 11 52.
Frequency
The festival is a biennial event held in even-numbered years. The dates vary by edition; for 2026, it is scheduled for the weekend of October 10th and 11th.
Pricing and booking
Activities are free. Some (screenings, hikes, lectures) require booking, as indicated in the event program.
Visitor Center opening hours
- October to April: daily, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
- May, June, and September: Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM; weekends and public holidays, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- July and August: daily, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
A biennial event dedicated to migration
The Arjuzanx reserve hosts this festival in even-numbered years. The 2024 edition, then called the Crane Festival, featured pianist Lorenzo Naccarato and his bird-themed tour. The 2026 edition, the Migration Festival, broadens the scope to migration in general—not just birds—as part of the European Migration Days. It will be held on October 10th and 11th, 2026.
A gathering for connection and sharing
The event is organized by the Syndicat mixte de gestion des milieux naturels, which manages the reserve. It brings together many biodiversity stakeholders for lectures, workshops, stands, exhibitions, and excursions within the reserve.
An exceptional natural site
The Arjuzanx National Nature Reserve, a former rehabilitated mining site, is located in the Landes de Gascogne. Its heathlands, lakes, and wet meadows make it a renowned wintering site for common cranes.
Where does it take place — Festival of Cranes
Festival of Cranes in brief
History of Festival of Cranes
Edition 2025 Nov 2025Other festivals near Arjuzanx
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
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