Les Noctambules du Malbec

A night of wine and music in the medieval town

The Noctambules du Malbec are one of the highlights of L'Été du Malbec, the summer festival of the Cahors vineyards that has animated the medieval town of Puy-l'Évêque every summer since 2016. For one evening in July, the Grand'Rue and the historic squares of the village transform into a vast space for tasting and celebration, where Cahors wine and its winegrowers are celebrated under the stars.

Puy-l'Évêque, capital of Malbec

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Lot valley, Puy-l'Évêque is one of the heritage jewels of Quercy. This former episcopal city, whose pale stone houses cascade down to the river, is located in the very heart of the AOC Cahors, the oldest vineyard in France. The Malbec grape variety, locally called Auxerrois or Côt, produces powerful and full-bodied red wines, nicknamed the "black wines" of Cahors. It is in this exceptional setting that the Noctambules du Malbec take on their full meaning: discovering the wine heritage of the Lot in an outstanding heritage setting.

Three stages, three atmospheres

The originality of the Noctambules lies in their ambulatory format. From 6 PM, several tasting points and music stages are set up in the streets and squares of Puy-l'Évêque:

• Place du Mercadial: Argentine tango ball in the early evening, followed by a jazz and swing concert
• Rue Saint-Sauveur: rock'n'roll, swing cabaret, and DJ sets
• Cour de l'École / Place du Marché couvert: reggae, world music, and festive atmospheres

Independent winegrowers from the Lot have tasting stands throughout the route, offering a selection of cuvées in AOC Cahors and IGP Côtes du Lot. The principle is simple and accessible: a €3 deposit for the glass and €2 tasting tickets allow you to sample wines from many estates.

An evening led by independent winegrowers

The Noctambules du Malbec are organized as part of L'Été du Malbec, a festival created in 2016 thanks to the collaboration of the Fédération des Vignerons Indépendants du Lot, the town hall of Puy-l'Évêque, the Communauté de communes de la Vallée du Lot et du Vignoble, the Union Interprofessionnelle des Vins de Cahors, and the Office de tourisme intercommunal Lot Vignoble. This synergy between wine actors, local authorities, and tourism structures makes the event a true territorial project serving the promotion of the Cahors vineyard.

A friendly summer event

The spirit of the Noctambules is resolutely one of friendliness and sharing. Admission is free, tasting prices are affordable, and the relaxed atmosphere invites you to stroll from one square to another, glass in hand, enjoying the music and encounters with winegrowers. The restaurants in Puy-l'Évêque complement the offer by serving their specialties throughout the evening. It's a unique way to discover the Cahors vineyard from a festive and nocturnal perspective, in a remarkable heritage setting bathed in the gentle summer nights of the Lot.