La Louche d'Or
The International Soup Festival in Wazemmes
About La Louche d'Or
La Louche d'Or: When Soup Brings the World Together in Wazemmes
Every May 1st, the popular and cosmopolitan district of Wazemmes in Lille transforms into a giant open-air restaurant. Since 2001, the International Soup Festival, better known as La Louche d'Or, has celebrated conviviality, sharing, and cultural diversity through the most universal dish: soup.
A Soup Contest Like No Other
At the heart of the festival is a soup contest open to everyone: families, associations, groups of friends, schools. Each participant prepares their recipe on-site, in the street, under the eyes of passers-by. A jury of personalities and food lovers goes from stand to stand to taste and rate the creations. The famous La Louche d'Or awards the best soup of the year. A special children's contest, the Ptit Bouillon, allows the youngest to also become "soup makers".
A Popular and Supportive Celebration
La Louche d'Or is more than just a culinary competition. It's a true neighborhood festival that celebrates the spirit of Wazemmes: openness, mixing, and solidarity. The festival offers:
- Concerts and Brass Bands: Music groups and brass bands parade through the streets, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.
- Street Performances: Theater, circus, juggling, and artistic performances punctuate the day.
- Children's Activities: Creative workshops, games, and shows dedicated to the little ones.
- Association Stands: Neighborhood associations present their activities and projects.
The Attacafa Association: The Driving Force Behind the Festival
La Louche d'Or is organized by the association Attacafa, a major cultural player in the Wazemmes district. Based in the Maison Folie Wazemmes, Attacafa works year-round to promote world cultures and foster social cohesion through concerts, festivals, and participatory projects. La Louche d'Or is the association's flagship event, the most joyful expression of its mission.
A Free Event Open to All
True to its values of accessibility and sharing, La Louche d'Or is an entirely free festival. No tickets, no barriers: everyone is free to come, taste, cook, and join the celebration. It is this philosophy that makes La Louche d'Or a unique event, deeply rooted in the identity of the Wazemmes district.
La Louche d'Or — edition 2026
The 26th edition of La Louche d'Or was held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 2 PM to 9 PM, in the Wazemmes district of Lille. On the theme Heat up the pots, the International Soup Festival gathered nearly 50,000 visitors around the soup competition, brass bands, concerts at Maison Folie Wazemmes (Poplite, Melina, Benin International Musical, Trab Terapy) and the Ptit Bouillon children's area at Square Ghesquiere.
26th edition - May 1, 2026
For its 26th edition, La Louche d'Or took over the Wazemmes district on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 2 PM to 9 PM, on the theme Heat up the pots. An entirely free festival, the event attracted nearly 50,000 visitors who came to share soups from around the world and enjoy a multidisciplinary program combining street food, world music, and live performances.
Soup Competition
The grand competition brought together residents, associations, and collectives who came to simmer their recipes directly in the streets of Wazemmes. A jury and the public awarded the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ladles. The children's competition Mini Golden Ladle was held in the Ptit Bouillon area set up at Square Ghesquiere, with cooking workshops, games, and mini-competitions for the youngest.
World Music at Maison Folie Wazemmes
The main stage of Maison Folie Wazemmes (70 rue des Sarrazins) hosted four free concerts in the tradition of world music promoted by Attacafa.
New in 2026: guarded bike parking
To encourage the May by Bike challenge, two large, free, guarded bike parking areas were installed by the organization, including one with 500 spaces in front of the Halles de Wazemmes (flower market).
Pedestrianized Streets
For three days (from April 30 to May 2, 2026), Wagram, Paul Lafargue, and Sarrazins streets were closed to traffic to allow for the installation, running, and dismantling of the festival.
What's next?
The Attacafa association invites the public to meet again in May 2027 for the 27th edition of the International Soup Festival.
Programme La Louche d'Or 2026
Friday, May 1, 2026 - 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Maison Folie Wazemmes Stage
- 2:00 PM - Poplite
- 3:00 PM - Melina
- 5:45 PM - Benin International Musical
- Closing - Trab Terapy
In the streets of Wazemmes (all day)
- Grand soup competition (adult category) - streets around Place de la Nouvelle Aventure
- Wandering brass bands between the stands
- Street performances (theater, acrobatics, performances)
- Tasting stands and live cooking
Ptit Bouillon Area - Square Ghesquiere
- Mini Golden Ladle competition (children)
- Cooking and taste awakening workshops
- Games and activities for young audiences
Musical program confirmed by the official website lalouchedor.com, the City of Lille, and local press (info.fr, zoomsurlille.fr, jds.fr).
Highlights La Louche d'Or 2026
- 26th edition of the International Soup Festival
- Friday, May 1, 2026, from 2 PM to 9 PM
- Wazemmes district, Lille (Place de la Nouvelle Aventure, Rue des Sarrazins)
- Nearly 50,000 visitors expected
- Theme: Heat up the pots
- World music concerts at Maison Folie Wazemmes: Poplite, Melina, Benin International Musical, Trab Terapy
- Soup competition (adults and children's Mini Golden Ladle)
- Ptit Bouillon area dedicated to children at Square Ghesquiere
- New: guarded bike parking with 500 spaces at Halles de Wazemmes (May by Bike challenge)
- Free admission
Prices La Louche d'Or 2026
Practical information — La Louche d'Or
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By Metro: 'Wazemmes' station, line 1. The festival takes place in the streets around Place de la Nouvelle Aventure and Maison Folie Wazemmes.
By Bus: Several bus lines serve the Wazemmes district (lines L5, 50).
By V'Lille: V'Lille stations are available in the district.
By Car: Parking is very difficult on the day of the festival. Prefer public transport.
Location
The festival takes place in the Wazemmes district, around Place de la Nouvelle Aventure and Rue des Sarrazins, 59000 Lille. Maison Folie Wazemmes (70 rue des Sarrazins) is the central point of the event.
Date
Every year on May 1st, from approximately 11 am to 7 pm.
Prices
Festival is completely free and open to all.
Participation in the Contest
Registration to participate in the soup contest is done in advance on the official festival website (Google Forms). Each team must provide their own ingredients and cooking equipment.
Food
In addition to the contest soups, food stalls offer dishes from around the world. The Wazemmes district also has many restaurants and food shops.
Practical Tips
- Bring your own bowl and spoon to taste the soups (eco-responsible approach).
- The festival takes place in all weather conditions, so bring appropriate clothing.
- Children's activities are concentrated in the Ptit Bouillon area.
- Arrive early to enjoy the atmosphere and witness the contest preparations.
- Public restrooms are available at Maison Folie Wazemmes.
Accessibility
The festival takes place in the streets of Wazemmes, which are generally accessible to people with reduced mobility. Maison Folie Wazemmes has PMR access. However, some cobbled streets may make wheelchair circulation more difficult.
With Children
Ptit Bouillon is the dedicated area for children: soup contest for the youngest, creative workshops, and adapted shows. Activities start at 11 am and continue throughout the day. It's an ideal event for families, in a popular and welcoming atmosphere.
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Where does it take place — La Louche d'Or
Quartier de Wazemmes
70 rue des Sarrazins, 59000 Lille