Fêtes de la Tour Blanche

A festival rooted in the history of Issoudun

The Fêtes de la Tour Blanche were born in 1995 from a desire to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the construction of the Tour Blanche, an imposing keep built by Richard the Lionheart in Issoudun. Originally dedicated to medieval festivals, they gradually shifted towards street arts from 1999 onwards, thus becoming one of the most important live performance festivals in the Indre department.

Four days of free shows

Scheduled over four days during the Ascension weekend, the Fêtes de la Tour Blanche offer a rich and varied program combining street theater, circus, music, dance, puppetry, storytelling, and participatory activities. All performances and activities are completely free, allowing everyone to fully enjoy this celebration of the performing arts.

An international artistic crossroads

Since its creation, the festival has hosted over 100 French and European companies. Each edition is built around a unifying theme that guides the artistic programming. In 2025, for its 30th edition, the festival invited the public on the path of tales: modern, musical, retro or futuristic, gestural, funny or poetic tales, exploring different ways of telling stories today.

Heritage as a setting

The festival takes over the historic center of Issoudun, transforming squares, streets, and gardens into ephemeral stages. The Tour Blanche, the city's emblematic monument, serves as a majestic backdrop for this popular festival. It is a unique way to bring heritage to life in the present day, by performing in and with the city, thus creating a dialogue between medieval architecture and contemporary creation.

A unifying event

Organized by the Communauté de Communes du Pays d'Issoudun and the Tourist Office, the Fêtes de la Tour Blanche benefit from the support of the Région Centre-Val de Loire and the Conseil Départemental de l'Indre. The event attracts thousands of spectators each year, making Issoudun a major cultural destination in Berry during the Ascension holiday.