Country, Western, and Historical Reenactment Festival at Fort Rainbow in Cestas
The Fort Rainbow Festival is a major national event for country and western culture and historical reenactment of the American West, organized annually at Fort Rainbow in Cestas, Gironde. Over three days, the Fort Rainbow association brings together westerners, Indian enthusiasts, trappers, settlers, and coureurs des bois to bring to life America from the late 17th to the early 20th century. Country concerts, line dancing, equestrian demonstrations, parades of vintage vehicles, American cars and motorcycles, shows, and reconstructed camps make this family-friendly and festive festival unique, right at the gates of Bordeaux.
Located in Cestas, about twenty minutes from Bordeaux, Fort Rainbow is a unique site in France entirely dedicated to the memory and culture of the American West. The annual festival, organized over a long spring weekend, is the association's flagship event: it brings together enthusiasts from all over France and neighboring countries around the themes of the Far West, Plains Indians, cowboys, soldiers, and pioneers.
For three days, the site offers country concerts, line dancing balls and demonstrations, equestrian parades and exhibitions, horse races, reenactments of Far West scenes, shows with bison, parades of military vehicles, vintage American cars, and motorcycles. The public can also wander through the reconstructed camps (Indian, trapper, settler, military) and interact with costumed reenactors.
Fort Rainbow is supported by the Fort Rainbow Association, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026. The association maintains the site all year round and organizes several events: reenactment camps, motorcycle and vintage vehicle fairs, occasional concerts, as well as a national veterans' gathering. The annual festival remains the highlight of the season.
The 2026 edition of the Fort Rainbow Festival took place from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, in Cestas, in a country, western, and historical reenactment atmosphere. A special edition, as the Fort Rainbow Association celebrated its 40th anniversary.
From May 1st to May 3rd, 2026, Fort Rainbow hosted its major annual country and western gathering in Cestas, Gironde. Three days of concerts, dances, equestrian parades, historical reenactments, and period encampments, marking the 40th anniversary of the Fort Rainbow Association, founded in 1986.
The 2026 edition brought together American West enthusiasts, country dancers, bikers, owners of vintage American cars, and reenactors around equestrian shows, vehicle parades, concerts, and line dance demonstrations. The Indian, trapper, settler, and military camps were open to the public over the three days.
Fort Rainbow is located at Chemin Dubourdieu in Cestas (33610), about twenty minutes southwest of Bordeaux. Easy access from the A63 motorway (Cestas exit). On-site parking.
Prices for the 2026 edition: €5 on Friday, €10 on Saturday, €10 on Sunday, €20 for the three-day pass, €5 for motorcyclists. Free for children under 14.
Camping on site is possible with prior reservation (limited spaces).
Fort Rainbow Association — Mairie de Cestas, 2 Avenue du Baron Haussmann, 33610 Cestas. Secretariat: [email protected]. Official website: fort-rainbow.e-monsite.com. Facebook page: facebook.com/FortRainbow.
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Share your experience with the community
Fort Rainbow
Fort Rainbow, Chemin Dubourdieu, 33610 Cestas, 33610 Cestas