Fêtes de Sainte-Anne

Over 250 years of festive tradition in Rethel

The Fêtes de Sainte-Anne are an institution in Rethel. For over 250 years, every summer, the town comes alive to the rhythm of this great popular festival celebrating the patron saint of the Ardennes. For ten days, from late July to early August, the Promenade des Isles, a vast green space on the banks of the Aisne, transforms into a place of revelry open to all, blending ancestral traditions and modern entertainment. The Fêtes de Sainte-Anne are the highlight of the Rethel summer and an unmissable event for the inhabitants of the South Ardennes.

Rides, parades, and fireworks

The program for the Fêtes de Sainte-Anne is rich and varied. An impressive funfair sets up on the Promenade des Isles, offering thrill rides for all ages: Ferris wheel, bumper cars, roller coasters, attractions for the little ones. The parades are one of the highlights of the festival: numerous decorated floats and folkloric groups parade through the streets of Rethel, accompanied by the Philharmonie Sud Ardennes. Several fireworks displays are set off during the fortnight, illuminating the sky above Les Charmilles in pyrotechnic shows offered by the fairground industrialists.

Miss Sainte-Anne, concerts, and popular dances

The election of Miss Sainte-Anne and her Maids of Honor is an emblematic moment of the festival. The queen of the festival is presented at the official opening, during a serenade to the Mayor in the gardens of the Town Hall. Throughout the fortnight, concerts and popular dances liven up the evenings, with orchestras and musical groups making the Promenade des Isles vibrate late into the night. Petanque competitions, gourmet stands, and family entertainment complete the festive program.

An event rooted in the heart of the Ardennes

The Fêtes de Sainte-Anne are not just a simple funfair: they embody the identity and conviviality of the Rethel region. The solemn mass celebrated at the Saint-Nicolas church, accompanied by the Philharmonie Sud Ardennes, recalls the religious origins of the festival. The grand lottery, the aperitifs in the town hall gardens, and the dance evenings create a warm and family atmosphere. Every day, from morning until late at night, the Promenade des Isles vibrates to the rhythm of the attractions and festivities, making the Fêtes de Sainte-Anne an unforgettable event in the Ardennes calendar.