Le Nombril du Monde

Pougne-Hérisson, where all the world's stories are born

In the heart of the Gâtine deux-sévrienne, the tiny village of Pougne-Hérisson has proclaimed itself the "navel of the world", a mythical place from which all stories are said to have originated. It is in this improbable and enchanting setting that the Festival du Nombril du Monde has been celebrating storytelling and spoken arts since 1992, attracting thousands of visitors eager to be carried away by the magic of words.

A biennial and whimsical festival

Every two years, Le Nombril du Monde offers an artistic event of a unique kind. Storytellers, street artists, musicians, visual artists, poets, authors, and dreamers gather for several days of shows, performances, and fantasies centered around the spoken arts. The event transcends disciplinary boundaries to create an immersive experience where the real and the imaginary blend.

The Garden of Stories

Inaugurated in 2004, the Garden of Stories is the jewel of Le Nombril du Monde. This unique garden-show in France invites visitors to wander through poetic and sound installations, works of art, story huts, and secret corners. Open from May to September, it employs six people and serves as a powerful tool for cultural and artistic mediation.

The legacy of Yannick Jaulin

Le Nombril du Monde is intimately linked to the figure of the storyteller Yannick Jaulin, a local son, who helped make Pougne-Hérisson a major center for the art of narrative. His mischievous spirit and passion for storytelling permeate the DNA of the place and the festival, making each edition a joyful and offbeat celebration of living word.