Le Grand Bal de l'Europe
Fifteen days of traditional European dances and music
About Grand Bal de l'Europe
Le Grand Bal de l'Europe: The Largest Traditional Dance Festival in Europe
Since 1990, the Grand Bal de l'Europe has brought together thousands of traditional dance enthusiasts from all over Europe every summer in Gennetines, Allier. For fifteen days, from late July to early August, the hamlet of Gauthiers transforms into an ephemeral village entirely dedicated to traditional dance and music, in a friendly and warm atmosphere that has made the event famous.
A Unique and Authentic Setting
The festival takes place on the site of a former Bourbonnais farm, Gauthiers, located on the D288, halfway between the villages of Gennetines and Trévol, about ten kilometers north of Moulins. Eight dance floors are set up outdoors and under marquees, allowing for simultaneous dancing of different repertoires: bourrées, waltzes, mazurkas, scottishs, polkas, rondeaux, circles, Breton dances, Occitan dances, Scandinavian dances, Balkan dances, and many others.
An Exceptional Musical Program
Each edition hosts dozens of traditional music groups from France and Europe, among the best on the circuit. Musicians perform throughout the day during workshops and classes, and then liven up the balls that continue late into the night. The program covers a wide spectrum of European musical traditions: Occitan, Breton, Auvergne, Basque, Catalan, Irish, Scandinavian, Balkan, Eastern European music, and many other repertoires.
Workshops and Learning for All Levels
One of the major assets of the Grand Bal de l'Europe is its exceptional offer of dance workshops. From beginners to experienced dancers, everyone can find workshops suited to their level. The workshops cover a wide variety of traditional dances: couple dances, chain dances, circle dances, character dances. Traditional music and singing workshops are also offered, allowing musicians to perfect their practice.
An Associative and Participatory Spirit
The Grand Bal de l'Europe is organized by the AEADT (European Association of Lovers of Traditional Dances), founded on December 6, 1989. The association, which had over 5,300 members in 2017, is based on the values of respect, solidarity, culture of consent, experimentation, and exchange. The festival operates thanks to the commitment of many volunteers and promotes an accessible and high-quality approach to traditional dance and music.
Since 2017, the entire Grand Bal has been held at the Gennetines site for fifteen days, after being organized in parallel at a second site in Saint-Gervais-d'Auvergne for several years.
A Way of Life
Beyond dance and music, the Grand Bal de l'Europe is a true way of life. The site has areas for camping, catering, relaxation, and socializing. Festival-goers share meals, moments of spontaneous music, and exchanges that make these fifteen days a unique human experience, far beyond a simple festival.
Grand Bal de l'Europe — edition 2026
The 36th edition of the Grand Bal de l'Europe will take place from Friday, July 24 to Friday, August 7, 2026, at the hamlet of Les Gauthiers, in Gennetines (Allier). Fifteen days of balls, workshops and traditional dance and music classes, with over 140 French and European groups scheduled on the site's dance floors. The official opening will be on Friday, July 24 at 8:30 PM.
2026 Edition — July 24 to August 7
The Grand Bal de l'Europe returns for its new edition from Friday, July 24 to Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Les Gauthiers site in Gennetines. For fifteen days, the dance floors will once again welcome thousands of traditional dance enthusiasts from all over Europe, in the friendly atmosphere that makes the event famous.
A rich 2026 program with over 140 groups
The 2026 edition brings together more than 140 French and European traditional music groups, who perform throughout the day during workshops and classes, then animate the balls until late into the night. The detailed interactive program is available on the official website, with each group's performance dates, presentation, videos, and website.
Workshops, classes, and balls
As every year, the festival offers a complete range of dance workshops for all levels (beginner to advanced), traditional music and singing classes, and lively balls on the various dance floors of the site. Registrations and ticket sales opened on May 5, 2026.
Programme Grand Bal de l'Europe 2026
2026 Program — over 140 groups
Official opening on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 8:30 PM. The festival runs for fifteen days, from July 24 to August 7, with workshops and classes during the day and balls until late into the night on the dance floors of the Les Gauthiers site.
Over 140 French and European groups are scheduled for the entire edition. Among the announced formations:
- Bal O'Gadjo
- Bougnat Sound
- Brindilles
- Cascade
- Forró Magnético
- Khaverim
- Nøkkenoc
- Turbobal
The detailed interactive program (day by day, group by group) is published on the Program and Groups page of the official website, with the performance dates for each formation.
Highlights Grand Bal de l'Europe 2026
To Remember for 2026
- Dates: Friday, July 24 to Friday, August 7, 2026
- Fifteen days of balls and traditional dance workshops
- Eight dance floors at the Gauthiers site
- Full program to be announced in spring 2026
Prices Grand Bal de l'Europe 2026
Practical information — Grand Bal de l'Europe
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Gennetines is located 10 km north of Moulins, accessible via the D288. From Paris (300 km), take the A77 then the A79 towards Moulins. From Clermont-Ferrand (150 km), take the A71 then the A79 towards Moulins-Nord. The Les Gauthiers site is signposted from the motorway exit.
By train: The nearest train station is Moulins-sur-Allier, 10 km from the site. TER trains connect Moulins to Clermont-Ferrand, Nevers, and Paris (via connection). The organisation does not offer a shuttle service from the station; carpooling is advised.
Accommodation
A campsite is set up on the festival grounds, free for festival-goers: parking and camping pitches are accessible from the day before opening, with hot showers, toilets, drinking water, and electricity. Tents and caravans are welcome. Permanent accommodation (hotels, B&Bs, gîtes) is available in Moulins and the surrounding villages.
Prices and Membership
Access to Le Grand Bal de l'Europe requires membership to AEADT (25 € for adults aged 18 and over, 5 € for 10-17 year olds, free for under 10s) plus a daily rate:
- Full price: 21 € per day
- Reduced price (18-24 years): 15 € per day
- Half price (10-17 years): 10.50 € per day
- 14-day package: 239 € (full), 174 € (reduced 18-24 years), 119 € (half price 10-17 years)
- Opening night (July 24): 10 €
Catering
Catering areas are available on site, offering hot meals, snacks, and drinks. It is also possible to bring your own food and cook at the campsite.
Contact
AEADT — Le Grand Bal de l'Europe
Festival phone: 04 70 42 14 42 (Tuesday from 10:00 to 15:30 and from 20:00 to 21:30)
Official website: www.gennetines.org — Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Grand Bal de l'Europe
Les Gauthiers
Les Gauthiers, 13 Route de Trévol, 03400 Gennetines, 03400 Gennetines