Les Montagn'Arts
Live performance festival at the foot of the Écrins since 2001
About Les Montagn'Arts
Created in 2001 by an association of passionate volunteers, the Les Montagn'Arts festival has become the unmissable cultural event in the southern Isère valleys. Every year, on the Pentecost weekend, the Valbonnais lake transforms into a magical place hosting artists, storytellers, acrobats, singers, clowns, theater groups, circus performers, dancers, and musicians. With its quality shows, creative workshops, local artisan market, and pedal-powered rides, this multidisciplinary and family-friendly festival celebrates live performance in a rural setting, at the foot of the Écrins National Park.
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Les Montagn'Arts: Live Performance in the Heart of the Southern Isère Mountains
Since 2001, the Les Montagn'Arts festival has illuminated the Pentecost weekend every year in Valbonnais, a small mountain village nestled at the foot of the Écrins National Park, in Isère. Born from the determination of a handful of volunteers eager to bring culture to rural areas, this festival has become, over the editions, the unmissable cultural event of the southern Isère valleys, attracting thousands of spectators eager to discover quality performances in an exceptional natural setting.
A Human Adventure Driven by 150 Volunteers
Les Montagn'Arts is, above all, a collective adventure. The association, formerly known as Théâtre de la Lune, was founded in November 1995 to promote live performance in the cantons of Valbonnais, Corps, and La Mure. Entirely managed by motivated volunteers, it is organized into specialized commissions: programming, communication, technical, decoration, school days, DIY, heritage, and finance. Every year, nearly 150 volunteers mobilize to transform the lake's surroundings into a magical and welcoming place.
A Multidisciplinary and Demanding Program
The festival offers a rich and eclectic program blending street arts, theater, circus, music, dance, storytelling, magic, and visual arts. Established artists and emerging companies share the stages to offer diverse performances, ranging from intimate shows to large open-air productions. Friday is traditionally dedicated to school days, welcoming between 700 and 900 children from local schools for an introduction to live performance. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival opens its doors to the general public with a vibrant program.
Spaces for Living and Sharing
Beyond the shows, Les Montagn'Arts is a true ephemeral village that comes to life for a weekend:
- The local artisans and producers market: a space dedicated to the region's know-how, held on Sunday
- Creative workshops: wood carving, screen printing, visual arts, and manual activities for all ages
- Pedal-powered rides: ecological and fun attractions that delight children
- Play areas: relaxation and amusement corners for the whole family
- La Buv'Art: a festive bar offering local beers and artisanal drinks
- La Patat'Art: homemade fries stand, a true festival institution serving an average of 20,000 fries per edition
A New Theme Each Year
Each edition of Les Montagn'Arts is placed under a different theme that inspires the site's decoration, the volunteers' costumes, and the overall atmosphere of the festival. This tradition allows the team to reinvent itself and offer a unique visual universe each year, transforming the Valbonnais lake into an enchanting and immersive setting.
Strong Territorial Roots
Located just 50 minutes from Grenoble and 15 minutes from La Mure, the festival benefits from a remarkable natural setting between lakes and peaks. It actively contributes to the cultural and tourist influence of the Matheysine region and the southern Isère valleys, demonstrating that culture can flourish everywhere, even far from major urban centers. In over twenty years of existence and more than 190 shows presented, Les Montagn'Arts has forged a unique identity: that of a popular, generous festival deeply rooted in its mountainous territory.
Les Montagn'Arts — edition 2026
The 26th edition of the Les Montagn'Arts festival will take place from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Valbonnais lake. The festival will offer a new weekend of live performance in the mountains with shows, concerts, workshops, pedal-powered rides, and nature activities, driven by a strengthened and passionate team of volunteers.
26th Edition - May 2026
The Les Montagn'Arts festival returns for its 26th edition from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Valbonnais lake. After a memorable anniversary edition in 2025, the association promises "a great 2026 edition" with a strengthened team and renewed commitment to live performance in rural areas.
For three days, the lake site will once again transform into an ephemeral village dedicated to the performing arts, hosting theater, circus, and dance companies, musicians, storytellers, and street artists from all over France. Friday, as every year, will be dedicated to school days, offering local children an immersion into the world of live performance.
What to Expect
The 2026 edition will feature the iconic events that define the festival's identity:
- Theater, circus, dance, and street arts shows on the various stages around the lake
- Concerts and musical performances in the open air
- Creative workshops open to all audiences, young and old
- Ecological pedal-powered rides for the delight of children
- Local producers and artisans market on Sunday
- La Buv'Art and La Patat'Art: local beers, artisanal drinks, and homemade fries
- Screen printing stand: bring your plain t-shirt!
- Activities throughout the weekend: games, relaxation areas, and surprises
A new decorative theme will adorn the site and inspire the volunteers' costumes, creating a unique and immersive visual universe for this new edition.
The full program and ticketing will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the official website www.lesmontagnarts.org.
Programme Les Montagn'Arts 2026
2026 Program
The detailed program for the 26th edition will be unveiled in the spring of 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Theater and street arts shows
- Contemporary circus
- Dance and performances
- Concerts and live music
- Storytelling and magic
- Creative workshops for children and adults
- Ecological pedal-powered rides
- Local producers and artisans market
- Activities and games throughout the weekend
- School days on Friday
Check the website www.lesmontagnarts.org for program announcements.
Highlights Les Montagn'Arts 2026
To Remember for 2026
- Dates: Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026
- 26th edition of the mountain live performance festival
- Location: Valbonnais lake, at the foot of the Écrins National Park
- Strengthened team of passionate volunteers
- Program and ticketing to be announced on lesmontagnarts.org
Prices Les Montagn'Arts 2026
Practical information — Les Montagn'Arts
Practical Information
Dates and Times
The Les Montagn'Arts festival takes place every year on the Pentecost weekend, from Friday to Sunday. Friday is reserved for school days (welcoming 700 to 900 local children). Saturday and Sunday are open to the general public, with shows scheduled during the day and in the evening. On-site ticketing opens Friday evening at 6:00 PM.
Location
The festival is held at the Valbonnais lake, "Valbonheur" campsite, 1034 rue Principale, 38740 Valbonnais. The site is located at the foot of the Écrins National Park, in a preserved natural setting between lake and mountains.
Access
By car: Valbonnais is located about 50 minutes from Grenoble, 15 minutes from La Mure, and 40 minutes from Bourg-d'Oisans. From Grenoble, take the direction of La Mure via the RN85 (Route Napoléon), then follow the direction Valbonnais via the D526.
Parking: On-site parking is very limited. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Plan your journeys in advance.
Note: There are no ATMs on the festival site. Bring cash for your purchases on-site.
Prices
Festival prices are intentionally accessible and family-friendly:
- Child ticket: 8 euros
- Reduced ticket (students, job seekers, RSA recipients, members): 12 euros
- Full price ticket: 14 euros
- Free shows: several shows and activities are free to access
- "Pay what you want" shows: voluntary contribution based on your wishes
Ticketing
Online ticketing opens approximately one month before the festival at billetterie.lesmontagnarts.org. Reservations not paid by Friday 6:00 PM will be put back on sale. No reservations by phone. On-site ticketing is open from Friday evening.
Food and Drink
Several food and drink areas are available on site:
- La Patat'Art: homemade fries, a festival must-have
- La Buv'Art: local beers and artisanal drinks
- Varied options including organic and vegetarian choices
Accommodation
The Valbonheur campsite is located directly on the festival site (phone: 04 76 30 21 28 or 06 59 32 64 00). For gîtes and B&Bs nearby, consult www.matheysine-tourisme.fr.
Accessibility
The festival site is fully accessible: suitable for wheelchair users, visually impaired, and intellectually disabled individuals. A drop-off point is available in front of the site. For any specific requests, contact the team by email.
Activities Throughout the Weekend
In addition to the scheduled shows, numerous free activities punctuate the weekend: local producers' market on Sunday, screen printing stand (bring a plain t-shirt!), creative workshops, and ecological pedal-powered rides for children.
Contact
Les Montagn'Arts Association
1034 rue Principale
38740 Valbonnais
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lesmontagnarts.org
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Les Montagn'Arts at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Les Montagn'Arts
Plan d'eau de Valbonnais - Camping Valbonheur
Plan d'eau de Valbonnais, 1034 rue Principale, 38740 Valbonnais