Fêtes Jean de La Fontaine
The great popular festival of Château-Thierry in homage to the famous fabulist
About Fêtes à Jean
The Fêtes Jean de La Fontaine: a popular institution since 1853
Château-Thierry, the birthplace of Jean de La Fontaine, pays homage to its illustrious fabulist every year in June through the Fêtes Jean de La Fontaine, affectionately nicknamed "the Fêtes à Jean" by the locals. This popular celebration, which has been successfully held for over 150 years, is one of the major events in the south of the Aisne and the Hauts-de-France region.
A rich history dating back to the Second Empire
The origin of the Fêtes dates back to 1853, when Empress Eugénie presented a white marble clock representing Jean de La Fontaine to the Société d'Arquebuse of Château-Thierry. Honored by this gift, the society organized a first celebration including a mass, symphonies in front of the poet's statue, an arquebus shooting, public games, a fireworks display, and dances that lasted until morning. The success was such that the festivities were repeated every year until 1914.
In 1921, the tricentennial of La Fontaine's birth was spectacularly celebrated in the presence of the Minister of Public Instruction and members of the Académie Française. After a period of interruption, it was in 1959 that the true "Fêtes à Jean" were revived by the municipality, with the creation of a festival committee in 1960 aiming to "bring together all the good wills of the city".
A weekend of festivities for everyone
The Fêtes take place over three days, from Friday to Sunday, with a rich and varied program renewed each year around an original theme:
Friday: festive opening
The funfair opens its doors on Place des États-Unis and Place Jean Moulin, while the Union Musicale of Château-Thierry gives a concert on Place du Beau Richard. The evening continues with a musical festival in several locations in the city center.
Saturday: concerts and activities
The afternoon is dedicated to families with the children's village offering creative workshops, face painting, treasure hunts, outdoor games, and a mini-train. The grand concert on Saturday evening is held at Parc Saint-Joseph or on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, with national headliners. The evening continues with DJ sets until 1 a.m.
Sunday: the grand parade and fireworks
The highlight of the Fêtes is the grand costume parade on Sunday afternoon. The procession starts from Rue Carnot at 2:30 p.m. and heads to Avenue Joussaume Latour, bringing together more than 30 brass bands, street performer troupes, local associations, and artistic groups in an explosion of colors and music. The event village, set up at the Hôtel-Dieu, offers food, drinks, activities, and evening concerts. The weekend concludes in style with a spectacular fireworks display fired from the banks of the Marne at 11 p.m.
A popular and unifying event
The Fêtes Jean de La Fontaine are a largely free and open-to-all event. Reimagined and renewed each year thanks to the daily work of volunteers, they embody the spirit of conviviality and local pride of Château-Thierry. Organized by the City's event department, they attract thousands of visitors and have become a true institution, blending popular traditions, live performance, music, and pyrotechnic art in a remarkable heritage setting along the Marne.
Fêtes à Jean — edition 2026
The 158th edition of the Fêtes Jean de La Fontaine will take place in Château-Thierry from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, 2026. Three days of popular and free festivities in homage to the city's famous fabulist, featuring the traditional grand costumed parade on Sunday afternoon (starting rue Carnot at 2:30 PM), the big Saturday evening concert, an event village at the Hôtel-Dieu, children's entertainment, sports initiations along the Marne, exhibitions, and the spectacular fireworks display launched from the banks of the Marne.
158th Edition — June 26 to 28, 2026
The Fêtes Jean de La Fontaine return for their 158th edition in Château-Thierry, from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, 2026. As every year, the fabulist's hometown celebrates its illustrious child with three days of popular, free, and open-to-all festivities.
Friday, June 26, 2026 — Festive Opening
Launch of the Fêtes with the opening of the funfair on Place des États-Unis and Place Jean Moulin, and an opening concert by the Union Musicale de Château-Thierry on Place du Beau Richard.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Concerts and Entertainment
A day dedicated to families with the children's village (makeup and creative workshops, treasure hunt, outdoor games, mini-train), sports initiations along the Marne, and exhibitions. The big Saturday evening concert will be held at Parc Saint-Joseph or Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, followed by a DJ set until 1 AM. Refreshments and food available on site.
Sunday, June 28, 2026 — Grand Parade and Fireworks
The highlight of the Fêtes: the grand costumed parade will set off from rue Carnot at 2:30 PM to reach avenue Joussaume Latour, bringing together brass bands, street artist companies, local associations, and artistic troupes. Also on the program: free mini-train, picnic area, exhibition of vintage vehicles and tractors, musical entertainment, and concerts at the event village set up near the Hôtel-Dieu. The weekend will conclude beautifully with the spectacular fireworks display launched from the banks of the Marne in the evening.
Practical Information
All entertainment, parades, concerts, and the fireworks display are free and open access. Only the funfair rides are subject to a charge (individual prices). The detailed program, precise timings, and the headliner for the main concert will be communicated by the City's event department throughout spring 2026.
Information: Service Événementiel de la Ville de Château-Thierry — 03 23 84 87 06 — [email protected]
Highlights Fêtes à Jean 2026
- 158th edition of a popular festival continuously held since 1853
- Grand costumed parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:30 PM (rue Carnot → avenue Joussaume Latour)
- Big Saturday evening concert at Parc Saint-Joseph or Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
- Children's village, family entertainment, and sports initiations along the Marne
- Spectacular fireworks display launched from the banks of the Marne to conclude the event
- Completely free access to all festivities
Prices Fêtes à Jean 2026
Practical information — Fêtes à Jean
Practical Information
Access and transport
By car: Château-Thierry is accessible via the A4 motorway (Château-Thierry exit) from Paris (approx. 1h15) or Reims (approx. 50 minutes). The RN3 also allows access to the city from Meaux.
By train: Château-Thierry station is served by the Paris-Est – Strasbourg line (TER and Intercités). The journey from Paris-Est takes about 50 minutes. The station is a few minutes' walk from the city center.
Festival locations
The festivities take place at several points in the city center:
- Parc Saint-Joseph: grand concert on Saturday evening
- Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and Place du Beau Richard: concerts and activities
- Hôtel-Dieu: event village, children's village, catering
- Rue Carnot – Avenue Joussaume Latour: route of the grand parade
- Place des États-Unis / Place Jean Moulin: funfair
- Banks of the Marne: fireworks and activities
Prices
Access to the Fêtes Jean de La Fontaine is free for all activities, parades, concerts, and fireworks. Only the funfair is subject to a charge (individual ride prices). Food and drinks available on site at free prices.
Contact
Event Department of the City of Château-Thierry
Phone: 03 23 84 87 06
E-mail: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Fêtes à Jean
Centre-ville de Château-Thierry, Parc Saint-Joseph
Centre-ville, 02400 Château-Thierry