About Journées des Mariolles

The Journées des Mariolles is a festival of popular traditions and folklore organized every year in July in Campan, in the heart of the Campan valley in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Created in 1991, this three-day festive event celebrates Bigourdan cultural heritage with performances by folk groups, inductions into the Confrérie des Mariolles, a village of mounaques (traditional rag dolls), musical entertainment, and an international dinner show. Les Pastourelles de Campan, an emblematic group of Pyrenean folklore, animate all the festivities.

Travel to this festival

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The Bigourdan Folklore Gathering

The Journées des Mariolles is the major annual gathering for folklore and popular traditions in the Campan valley. Since 1991, this festive event has brought together residents, visitors, and folk groups from around the world for three days in the village of Campan, at the foot of the Tourmalet pass.

Les Pastourelles de Campan, Guardians of Folklore

At the heart of the event, Les Pastourelles de Campan, a company of arts and popular traditions representing the folklore of Haute-Bigorre, perpetuate the traditional songs, dances, and costumes of the valley. They are accompanied by Eras Pastorèlas Chòias and welcome international folk groups for colorful performances.

Mounaques, Inductions, and Festivities

The village of Campan is adorned for the occasion with its famous mounaques, these life-sized rag dolls that decorate facades and streets, creating a picturesque and endearing setting. The Confrérie des Mariolles inducts a personality each year recognized for their commitment to community life or the development of the valley.

A Rich Three-Day Program

The Journées des Mariolles program includes an artisan market, demonstrations of traditional know-how, concerts, an international folk show on Sunday afternoon, and a rally game to discover the village of mounaques.