La Fête de l'Étinbulle

La Fête de l'Étinbulle: A Human-Scale Festival in the Heart of the Mayenne Countryside

Since 2018, La Fête de l'Étinbulle has transformed the hamlet of La Mellerie, in Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson, into a space for celebration, discovery, and sharing every summer. Organized by the association L'Étinbulle, this family and rural festival takes place in an exceptional natural setting, at the foot of Mont des Avaloirs, the highest point in the Grand Ouest, in the heart of the Normandie-Maine Regional Natural Park.

A Project Rooted in Popular Education and the Environment

L'Étinbulle is a non-profit association founded by Clotilde Béjuge, an archaeologist by training. On four hectares in the hamlet of La Mellerie, the association has developed an archaeo-farm co-built by visitors, inspired by open-air museums. This living space offers participatory workshops that explore humanity's relationship with its environment through time: spinning, pottery, foraging, ancient agriculture, woodworking. La Fête de l'Étinbulle extends this approach by offering a great festive weekend open to all.

An Eco-Responsible, Organic, and Local Festival

The festival is designed with a strong eco-responsible approach, from setup to execution: no mechanization, organic and local sourcing, responsible resource management. About sixty volunteers of all ages mobilize each year to bring this local event to life, respecting the environment and people. Admission is pay-what-you-want to make the festival accessible to as many people as possible.

A Multidisciplinary and Festive Program

Each edition features two evenings of concerts and shows, with about ten artists and companies blending contemporary music, folk, world music, street performances, and original creations. During the day, numerous free activities are offered: storytelling, theater, nature forum, prehistoric camp, medieval camp, workshops on clay, flax, and ancient crafts. A well-being Sunday complements the program, inviting festival-goers to relax and reconnect with nature.

A Place to Dance Without the Crowds

La Fête de l'Étinbulle cultivates a unique atmosphere: you can dance without being jostled, the program is carefully curated, children have fun safely, and laughter echoes through the Mayenne countryside. It's a human-scale festival where encounters are genuine, where social bonds are naturally woven between neighbors, families, and curious visitors from further afield. It has become an unmissable event for lovers of a certain simple and warm way of life.