Les Pestaculaires

Les Pestaculaires: a festival for young and old

Created in 2013 by the association Art Sonic, a founding member of the Collectif Icroacoa, Les Pestaculaires is a family festival that takes over the magnificent Parc Henri Joyaux (formerly Parc des Rochettes) in Montaigu-Vendée every early summer. What began as a festive day gathering 2,000 people has become a must-see event in the Vendée bocage, attracting up to 4,000 spectators.

A multidisciplinary and committed program

Each edition revolves around a unifying theme that runs through the entire program. The festival hosts a dozen regional and national companies offering street theater, circus (clowns, acrobats, stilt walkers, aerial arts), music, dance, and storytelling. Friday evening opens with a concert and a grand popular ball, while Saturday offers a full day of shows and activities.

Workshops to awaken the senses

About twenty participatory workshops are available to festival-goers: introduction to diabolo, unicycle, making juggling balls, body percussion, face painting, inclusive dance led by partners specialized in disability. These workshops engage the five senses and allow participants to learn while having fun, in a spirit of popular education.

An eco-responsible and solidarity commitment

The festival stands out for its eco-responsible approach: reusable cups, dry toilets, local and organic catering in partnership with GAB 85 (Groupement des Agriculteurs Biologiques de Vendée). Inclusion is at the heart of the project, with the participation of people with disabilities (SAVS, ESAT) in decoration and organization, as well as a "kids' bar" run by young volunteers. Admission is pay-what-you-want, so everyone can participate according to their means.