Fête des Roses de Camon

Camon, the village of roses in the heart of Ariège

Camon is a village of 150 inhabitants located in eastern Ariège, at the foot of the Cathar Pyrenees, a few kilometers from Mirepoix. Classified among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" — the only one in the Ariège department — this medieval hamlet is famous for its 400 rose bushes that adorn the alleys, house facades, low walls, and gardens. In May, when the roses are in full bloom, the village is adorned with vibrant colors — red, pink, white, yellow — and its air is filled with enchanting scents. It is in this exceptional setting that the Fête des Roses is held each year.

A 100% local floral and gourmet market

The Fête des Roses offers a 100% local producers and artisans market that sets up in the village alleys from 9 a.m. onwards. Nursery owners, rose growers, horticulturists, honey producers, jam makers, soap makers, and producers of Pyrenean local products present their creations and know-how. Visitors stroll among the stalls, discovering a new rose bed or a flowery facade around every corner. The atmosphere is warm and bucolic, combining the pleasures of the eyes, nose, and palate in a village that seems straight out of a fairy tale.

Concerts, heritage, and culture in the abbey

Beyond the market, the Fête des Roses offers a rich cultural program. The abbey cloister, the village's architectural gem, hosts concerts in the afternoon — classical music, jazz, or world music — in an intimate and solemn setting. The abbey church opens its doors for free guided tours that retrace the thousand-year history of this Benedictine priory founded in the 8th century and fortified in the 16th century. Guided walks in the surrounding hills allow visitors to discover the dry stone huts (capitelles) and the landscapes of the Cathar Pyrenees.

An event that has become a must-see

Since its creation in 2003 by the association Ostal per Totis, the Fête des Roses has continued to grow. From a few hundred visitors in its early years, it now attracts over 5,000 people every third Sunday in May, making this small village a floral and gourmet pilgrimage site. The official inauguration, in the late morning, kicks off a festive day that continues until late afternoon with a free concert in the village square. The Fête des Roses contributes to the tourist appeal of Camon and the entire Cathar Pyrenees region.