Grandes Fêtes de Mende

A tradition of over 70 years

The Grandes Fêtes de Mende were born in the early 1950s and have been the festive highlight of the Lozère capital for over seven decades. Organized every year in August by the Comité des Fêtes de Mende, they transform the city center into a vast space of conviviality and popular celebration.

Four days of festivities

The program of the Grandes Fêtes unfolds over four days, from Friday to Monday:

Friday: Official Opening

The festival begins with the inauguration ceremony on Place Urbain V, with the symbolic handover of the city keys to the Comité des Fêtes. This is followed by a free popular ball led by an orchestra and the election of Miss Mende and her runners-up.

Saturday: Parades and Flower Corso

The day is marked by group parades through the city streets, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the evening, the spectacular illuminated flower corso parades down Avenue Foch, followed by a popular ball on Place Urbain V.

Sunday: Presentation and Parade

Miss Mende is presented to the public at 11:30 a.m., followed by a group parade. In the afternoon, the Musée du Gévaudan offers festive activities: face painting and free themed visits in costume (€5 without costume).

Monday: Fireworks

The festival culminates in a grand finale with a spectacular fireworks display fired at 10:15 p.m. from the stadium of the Jean-Jacques Delmas sports complex.

Fairground Attractions

Throughout the festival, the Place du Foirail hosts rides, games, and fairground attractions for the delight of families and children.

A unifying event

The Grandes Fêtes de Mende are more than just a local festival: they embody the festive identity of the city and bring together residents, families, and visitors in a warm, intergenerational atmosphere. The illuminated flower corso, a true source of Mende pride, remains one of the most anticipated highlights of the Lozère summer.