La Rue des Enfants - Montcuq Street Arts Festival

A street arts festival born in Montcuq in 2009

Since 2009, the association Lézard de la Rue has organized La Rue des Enfants, Montcuq's street arts festival, every year. Born from the desire to bring culture to life in this medieval village in Quercy Blanc, the festival has grown over the years to become a must-attend event of the back-to-school season in the Lot department and beyond.

Every second weekend of September, the alleys, courtyards, and squares of the old village of Montcuq are transformed into open-air stages. For two days, about fifteen professional French and European companies take over the town to offer around forty performances accessible to all ages, from 6 months old.

A demanding and eclectic multidisciplinary program

The program for La Rue des Enfants is both eclectic and demanding. The festival explores all facets of live performance in public spaces: street theater, puppetry and object theater, new circus, dance, storytelling, musical shows, improbable clowns, and wild fanfares. Each edition features a carefully selected artistic lineup, mixing discoveries with established companies from the street arts scene.

The shows unfold in various locations within the historic village, creating a natural flow between performances. On Saturday evening, a concert under a big top extends the celebration and brings together festival-goers of all ages in a friendly atmosphere.

The Children's Village: a space dedicated to the youngest

True to its name, La Rue des Enfants places young spectators at the heart of the festival. Between shows, children can enjoy the Children's Village, an activity area featuring circus workshops, wooden games, and activities offered by local village associations: DIY, reading, board games, and manual crafts. Shows specifically designed for toddlers complete the program, allowing families to share moments of artistic discovery together.

An eco-responsible festival rooted in its territory

La Rue des Enfants is committed to an eco-responsible approach, encouraging festival-goers to become true eco-festival-goers. The on-site bar and catering prioritize products from local Quercy Blanc agriculture, thus supporting regional producers.

With nearly 3,000 spectators welcomed each year, the festival actively contributes to the cultural and economic dynamism of Montcuq-en-Quercy-Blanc. The Lézard de la Rue association also conducts cultural activities throughout the year, including theater workshops for children, teenagers, and adults, as well as artist residencies at the CRAB (Centre de Résidence Artistique de Belmontet), which opened in 2019 in a former school made available by the municipality.

Montcuq-en-Quercy-Blanc: a medieval setting for street arts

The festival's setting is an integral part of its magic. Montcuq, a medieval village perched in the Quercy Blanc region of the Lot, offers an exceptional natural backdrop for street arts. Its cobbled alleys, shaded squares, and the Nino Ferrer esplanade all serve as open-air stages where companies can showcase their art up close to the audience. The beauty of the site and the warm atmosphere of the village make La Rue des Enfants a unique festival experience, halfway between artistic discovery and heritage exploration.