Fête des Sottises
Street Arts Festival in Salies-de-Béarn
About Fête des Sottises
Fête des Sottises: Street Arts Festival in Salies-de-Béarn
Every summer in July, the picturesque streets of Salies-de-Béarn become the stage for a colorful street arts festival: the Fête des Sottises. For three days, about fifteen companies take over the spa town to offer shows mixing theater, circus, dance, music, mime, and puppetry.
A Popular and Generous Festival
Fête des Sottises is distinguished by its spirit of sharing and accessibility. All performances are 'pay-what-you-want': spectators contribute according to their means at the end of each show or at the donation desk. This philosophy allows everyone, regardless of their budget, to enjoy quality artistic programming. The festival attracts around 20,000 spectators each year, demonstrating its strong presence in the Béarn cultural landscape.
A Rich and Eclectic Program
The Fête des Sottises program explores all facets of street arts. Shows unfold day and night in the streets, squares, and gardens of Salies-de-Béarn, transforming the town into an open-air stage.
Guest Companies
Each edition hosts about fifteen French and international companies, selected for their creativity and ability to connect with the audience. The shows cover a wide artistic spectrum:
- Street Theater: in-situ creations, itinerant theater, and interactive performances
- Contemporary Circus: acrobatics, juggling, tightrope walking, and aerial arts
- Dance: urban choreography and outdoor dance performances
- Music: concerts, itinerant brass bands, and sound creations
- Puppetry and Visual Arts: shows for all ages
The "Préambules": A Week of Discovery
Fête des Sottises begins with a week of "Préambules" preceding the main festival. From Monday to Thursday, shows are offered in the surrounding municipalities, allowing street arts to shine beyond Salies-de-Béarn and create connections between the nearby villages.
Lacaze aux Sottises: The Organizing Association
The festival is organized by the association Lacaze aux Sottises, whose mission is to promote performing and street arts in the Béarn des Gaves region. Beyond the summer festival, the association organizes cultural events throughout the year, contributing to the cultural vibrancy and dynamism of Salies-de-Béarn.
Fête des Sottises — edition 2026
The 17th Fête des Sottises takes place from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, 2026, in the streets and squares of Salies-de-Béarn (64). This street arts festival, with a free and conscious pricing model, brings together about twenty companies for three days of street theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and music, preceded by four evenings of itinerant Preambles in the Béarn des Gaves from July 13 to 16.
17th edition — July 17 to 19, 2026
Organized by the Lacaze aux Sottises association, the 17th edition of the Fête des Sottises takes over Salies-de-Béarn from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, 2026. The festival offers a multidisciplinary program of street arts combining theater, circus, dance, puppetry, new magic, object theater, and live music, divided into an IN program and an OFF program.
The 2026 edition brings together around twenty companies and artists for about sixty performances throughout the event. Shows run from mid-afternoon until late at night, punctuated by games, circus initiations for all ages, artistic practice workshops, and meetings with the companies.
The Itinerant Preambles (July 13 to 16)
Before the three days in Salies-de-Béarn, the festival travels through the Béarn des Gaves region with four evenings of Preambles: July 13 in Puyoo, July 14 in Sauveterre-de-Béarn, July 15 in Sorde-l'Abbaye, and July 16 in Navarrenx.
A festival with free pricing
True to its solidarity model, the Fête des Sottises operates on a free and conscious pricing model: the public contributes at the end of each show or at the donation booth, according to their means. The event, free to access, attracts several thousand spectators each year.
Programme Fête des Sottises 2026
Preambles — July 13 to 16, 2026 (itinerant)
- Monday, July 13 — Puyoo
- Tuesday, July 14 — Sauveterre-de-Béarn
- Wednesday, July 15 — Sorde-l'Abbaye
- Thursday, July 16 — Navarrenx
Friday, July 17 — Salies-de-Béarn
Games from 2 PM, circus initiations from 3 PM to 5 PM, shows from 3 PM to 11:30 PM (circus, theater, dance, live music).
Saturday, July 18 — Salies-de-Béarn
Games from 10 AM, shows from 11 AM to 11:30 PM (circus, theater, puppetry, music).
Sunday, July 19 — Salies-de-Béarn
Activities from 10 AM, shows from 11 AM to midnight, closing with a DJ set.
IN and OFF program featuring about twenty companies. Full 2026 brochure available on the association's official website.
Highlights Fête des Sottises 2026
- Street arts festival with free and conscious pricing
- Around twenty companies, IN and OFF programs
- Street theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and music
- Itinerant Preambles in Béarn des Gaves (July 13-16)
- Games, circus initiations, and workshops for all ages
Prices Fête des Sottises 2026
Practical information — Fête des Sottises
Practical Information
Access
By car: Salies-de-Béarn is accessible via the A64 motorway (exit 7). Free parking on the outskirts of the town center.
By train: Nearest stations: Orthez or Puyoô, then bus or taxi connection.
Prices
All shows are 'pay-what-you-want'. Spectators contribute according to their means at the end of each performance or at the donation desk.
Contact
Lacaze aux Sottises Association: [email protected] — 05 59 38 68 71
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Where does it take place — Fête des Sottises
Rues et places de Salies-de-Béarn
Centre-ville, 64270 Salies-de-Béarn