Grandes Fêtes de Mende
The great popular and traditional festival of the Lozère capital
About 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.
Grandes Fêtes de Mende — edition 2026
The Grandes Fêtes de Mende return from August 21 to 24, 2026, for four days of popular festivities in the heart of the Lozère capital. Free dances, an illuminated floral parade, the election of Miss Mende, a pétanque competition, fairground attractions, and a grand closing fireworks display punctuate this summer event organized by the City of Mende and its Festival Committee.
2026 Edition: August 21 to 24
These patronal and votive festivals of Saint-Privat take place over four days in the city center of Mende, between Place Urbain V, Place Chaptal, Place du Foirail, and the boulevards. Admission to the festivities is free; only fairground attractions and catering are subject to a charge.
The Mende Festival Committee symbolically receives the keys to the city for the duration of the festivities, marking the kickoff of four days of tradition, music, and conviviality.
Programme Grandes Fêtes de Mende 2026
Friday, August 21, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Inauguration and handover of the City keys to the Festival Committee · Place Urbain V
- 9:30 PM — Free popular dance with the Octane orchestra and election of Miss Mende and her runner-ups · Place Urbain V
Saturday, August 22, 2026
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM — Group parades throughout the city
- 1:30 PM — Pétanque doubles competition, open to all
- 4:00 PM-6:00 PM — Group parades in the city
- 9:30 PM — Illuminated floral parade and musical procession on the boulevards · starting from Avenue Foch
- 10:30 PM — Popular dance animated by Podium Equinoxe · Place Urbain V
Sunday, August 23, 2026
- 11:30 AM — Presentation of Miss candidates to the public and group parade
Monday, August 24, 2026
- From 7:00 PM — Open-air café (Guinguette) and musical entertainment with the Florock group
- 10:15 PM — Grand closing fireworks display · Jean-Jacques Delmas sports complex stadium
Throughout the duration of the festivities: fairground attractions, games, and rides on Place du Foirail.
Highlights Grandes Fêtes de Mende 2026
- Illuminated floral parade and musical procession on Saturday evening
- Election of Miss Mende and her runner-ups
- Free popular dances
- Pétanque competition open to all
- Grand closing fireworks display at the Jean-Jacques Delmas stadium
- Fairground attractions on Place du Foirail
Prices Grandes Fêtes de Mende 2026
Practical information — Grandes Fêtes de Mende
Access
Mende is the prefecture of Lozère, accessible via the N88.
- By car: From Montpellier, A75 then N88 (approx. 1h45). From Clermont-Ferrand, A75 exit 39 then N88 (approx. 2h30).
- By train: Mende SNCF station, Clermont-Ferrand – Nîmes line.
Prices
Access to the festival and parades is free. Fairground rides and attractions are subject to a charge.
Contact
Comité des Fêtes de Mende: 04 66 49 28 29
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Where does it take place — Grandes Fêtes de Mende
Centre-ville de Mende
Place Urbain V, 48000 Mende