Fête patronale de Vic-sur-Cère - Festival des Arts et Traditions Populaires du Monde

The Fête patronale de Vic-sur-Cère: A World-Class Folk Festival

Each year, the week before August 15th, the small spa town of Vic-sur-Cère transforms into a crossroads of world cultures. The town's patronal feast coincides with the Festival of World Popular Arts and Traditions, an international event that makes Carladès vibrate to the rhythms of the five continents.

Over 300 Artists from Around the World

Organized in partnership between the ASEC (Association des Spectacles en Carladès) and the municipality, the festival hosts over 300 artists each year from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. For six days, these folk groups share the richness of their traditions:

• Free cabaret evenings: every evening, musicians and dancers from around the world offer a colorful show
• Shows at the Théâtre de Verdure: in this natural setting, groups perform outdoors
• Street entertainment: parades, serenades, and spontaneous encounters with artists
• Workshops and exchanges: discover traditional instruments, dances, and costumes

The Grand Finale on August 15th

August 15th marks the climax of the patronal feast with an exceptional program that unfolds from dawn till night:

• Bombarde and tripoux firing: morning tradition on the Place du Carladès
• Aubades: serenades by the fanfare and Carladès bourrées in the streets
• Grand parade of flower-adorned floats: a procession of four decorated floats accompanied by folk groups, starting from the train station
• Grand free show at the Théâtre de Verdure: all groups gathered for a spectacular show
• Torchlight procession: night parade with illuminated floats and folk groups
• Fireworks
• Grand free popular ball

ASEC: An Association Dedicated to Culture

The Association des Spectacles en Carladès (ASEC), created in 2001, is the cultural driving force behind this festival. Its "Heritage" commission works to promote and discover intangible cultural heritage, organizing events throughout the year focused on traditional music and dances. The folk festival is its flagship event, placing Vic-sur-Cère within the network of major international folk festivals.

An Exceptional Setting

The Théâtre de Verdure in Vic-sur-Cère, with its natural tiered seating nestled in greenery, offers a unique setting for the shows. The town itself, with its picturesque streets, arcades, and thermal heritage, provides an ideal backdrop for this festival that blends local tradition with openness to the world. An event that is the pride of Carladès and attracts thousands of spectators each summer to discover world cultures in the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes.