Fête des Palhàs - Fête de la Pomme - Rencontres Occitanes

Les Palhàs: The Great Occitan Festival of the Massiac Region

Since 1997, the Fête des Palhàs has enlivened the town of Massiac and the surrounding region during the last week of October. Organized by the association Autour des Palhàs, this major cultural event combines Occitan encounters and an apple fair in a warm and popular atmosphere.

Occitan Encounters

For about ten days, the Rencontres Occitanes offer a rich and varied program around Occitan culture and the traditions of the Massif Central. On the program:

• Live performances: theater, dance, traditional and contemporary music concerts
• Participatory workshops: introduction to the Occitan language, traditional dances, artisanal know-how
• Conferences and exhibitions: heritage, local history, environment
• Artist residencies: hosting companies and musicians in creation

Each edition revolves around a unifying theme that permeates the entire program, inviting discovery and exchange between cultures.

The Apple Fair

The highlight of the Palhàs, the Foire aux Pommes takes over the town center of Massiac on the last weekend of October. The Place du Docteur Moret and the foirail host dozens of exhibitors: apple and juice producers, artisans, local associations. Visitors discover old varieties of apples from the Cantal region, taste local products, and enjoy street entertainment.

The Great Palhàs Evening

On Saturday evening, the Grande Soirée des Palhàs offers a festive concert mixing traditions and modernity. Bands with varied influences – world music, Brazilian batucada, African sounds – perform in a friendly and danceable atmosphere.

An Event Rooted in the Territory

Les Palhàs, an Occitan word meaning traditional straw mattresses, embody the attachment of the Massiac region to its cultural roots. The association Autour des Palhàs works year-round to promote performing arts, the Occitan language, and local intangible heritage. The festival has become a must-attend event for lovers of Occitan culture, attracting thousands of visitors each year to this small town in Cantal, between the Alagnon valley and volcanic plateaus.