La Bêêêle et Laine
Festival of Sheep and Wool in Saint-Saulge
About Bêêêle et Laine
La Bêêêle et Laine is an original festival dedicated to sheep and wool, held every autumn in Saint-Saulge, Nièvre. The event offers a weekend rich in cultural, historical, and fun activities centered around the pastoral world: wool workshops, accompanied transhumance, yarn bombing, sheepdog demonstrations, visits, and entertainment for all ages. Residents participate in advance by creating wool decorations to adorn the village and the festival site.
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A unique festival around sheep and wool
La Bêêêle et Laine is a festival like no other, entirely dedicated to sheep and wool. Every autumn, the village of Saint-Saulge, in the heart of Nièvre, transforms into the wool capital for a festive and participatory weekend.
A rich and varied program
The festival offers many activities for all ages:
- Wool workshops: Introduction to spinning, felting, knitting, and weaving with passionate artisans.
- Accompanied transhumance: On Saturday morning, sheep, shepherds, and sheepdogs accompany hikers in a friendly transhumance to Saint-Saulge.
- Shows and demonstrations: Shearing demonstrations, sheepdog shows, storytelling, and entertainment around the pastoral world.
- Crafts market: Wool artisans, textile designers, and local producers exhibit and sell their creations.
Yarn bombing: the whole village in wool
One of the unique features of La Bêêêle et Laine is yarn bombing (urban knitting). In the lead-up to the festival, residents and volunteers create wool decorations that adorn the village of Saint-Saulge: trees, benches, poles, and facades are adorned with bright colors, transforming the town into an open-air textile art installation.
Saint-Saulge, the host village
Saint-Saulge is a rural commune in central Nièvre, located between Nevers and Château-Chinon. This village of character, with its Romanesque church and old houses, offers an authentic and warm setting for this festival celebrating pastoral traditions and textile crafts.
A participatory and unifying event
La Bêêêle et Laine stands out for its participatory dimension. The entire community is invited to get involved in the festival's preparation, whether by making wool decorations, welcoming visitors, or leading workshops. This collective approach creates a unique and authentic festive spirit.
Raising awareness of pastoral heritage
Beyond the festive aspect, the festival contributes to raising awareness of pastoral heritage and traditional textile know-how. It highlights the work of sheep farmers, shearers, spinners, and artisans who perpetuate ancestral skills threatened with extinction.
Bêêêle et Laine — edition 2026
New edition of La Bêêêle et Laine in Saint-Saulge. Festival of sheep and wool with workshops, transhumance, shows, and textile craft market.
Prices Bêêêle et Laine 2026
Practical information — Bêêêle et Laine
Access and transport
Saint-Saulge is located in the center of Nièvre, 30 km southeast of Nevers and 25 km west of Château-Chinon.
- By car: Via the D978 from Nevers (30 minutes) or the D985 from Château-Chinon. Free parking at the entrance of the village and in designated areas near the festival site.
- By train: Nevers station (Paris-Clermont-Ferrand line), then a 30-minute drive, taxi, or bus connection.
Festival location
The festival takes place in the center of Saint-Saulge, whose streets and squares are decorated with yarn bombing (colorful urban knitting) for the occasion. Stands, workshops, and activities are spread throughout the village, creating an original and festive discovery trail.
Date and times
The festival is held on a weekend in October. Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The accompanied transhumance takes place on Saturday morning starting from neighboring communes, arriving in Saint-Saulge around 11 am.
Prices
Admission is completely free for all activities, shows, and exhibitions. Some specific workshops (spinning, felting) may require a symbolic participation fee or prior registration due to limited spaces.
Participation in yarn bombing
Residents and volunteers are invited to participate in advance in yarn bombing by creating wool decorations to adorn the village. Collective knitting workshops are organized in the weeks preceding the festival. Inquire with the organizing association or on the Bêêêle et Laine Facebook page.
The accompanied transhumance
The accompanied transhumance on Saturday morning is a friendly hike with sheep, shepherds, and sheepdogs. It starts from a neighboring commune and ends festively in Saint-Saulge in the late morning. Registration is recommended with the association. Bring suitable walking shoes.
Food and drink
Food stalls offering local specialties from Morvan, crepes, soups, and hot drinks are available at the festival site. Restaurants and shops in Saint-Saulge are also open for lunch.
Accommodation
Saint-Saulge and its surroundings offer bed and breakfasts and rural gites in a country setting. It is highly recommended to book in advance due to the limited accommodation capacity in the area.
To discover
Saint-Saulge is a village of character with its Romanesque church of Saint-Saturnin, its old houses, and its rolling landscapes typical of the inner Nièvre region. Western Morvan hiking trails are accessible nearby.
Contact
Bêêêle et Laine Association
Mairie de Saint-Saulge: www.mairie-saintsaulge.fr
Facebook page: Bêêêle et Laine
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Bêêêle et Laine
Centre-bourg de Saint-Saulge
Centre-bourg, Saint-Saulge, 58330 Saint-Saulge