Fête du Cassoulet de Castelnaudary

The world capital of cassoulet celebrates

Castelnaudary, the historic capital of cassoulet, celebrates its emblematic dish every summer during the Fête du Cassoulet. Created in 2000 by the Grande Confrérie du Cassoulet, the City of Castelnaudary, and the sports association CROC, this popular festival has become over two decades the biggest gastronomic event in the Aude department and one of the highlights of the summer in Occitanie, attracting over 50,000 visitors from all over France and abroad.

Cassoulet in all its forms

At the heart of the festival, cassoulet is of course in the spotlight. Prepared according to the ancestral recipe of Castelnaudary — lingot beans from Lauragais, duck confit, Toulouse sausage, pork, slowly cooked in the cassole, the earthenware dish that gives the dish its name — it is served during grand popular meals bringing together hundreds of diners seated outdoors. More than 70 cassoulets from local canners and restaurateurs are offered for tasting and sale. A producers' market brings together the best artisans of the Lauragais: charcuterie, mountain cheeses, honey, jams, Languedoc wines, and regional pastries.

Free concerts and festive entertainment

The Fête du Cassoulet is not limited to gastronomy. An eclectic and free musical program livens up the evenings: from musette to electro-pop, including French chanson, festive rock, and brass bands from the Southwest. The streets of Castelnaudary come alive with street performances, brass band parades, dance shows, and a grand parade of decorated floats. The entertainment is designed for all audiences, from the youngest to the oldest, in an atmosphere of authentic popular celebration.

An event rooted in the tradition of the Lauragais

The Fête du Cassoulet is supported by the Grande Confrérie du Cassoulet de Castelnaudary, a gastronomic brotherhood that has been working for decades to promote and defend authentic cassoulet. The event is organized in partnership with the City of Castelnaudary, the Tourist Office, and numerous volunteers. Beyond the festival, the event contributes to the economic and tourist influence of the Lauragais, highlighting a living gastronomic heritage that is the pride of an entire region.