Les Racont'arts
Festival of storytelling and spoken arts in the Orne
About Les Racont'arts
Les Racont'arts is a festival of storytelling and spoken arts organized every autumn by the Departmental Library of Orne, in partnership with the libraries of the department. Created in 2007, this traveling festival offers storytelling performances, narrated walks, workshops, and encounters with professional storytellers in libraries and media centers throughout the department for about ten days. Free and open to all ages, Les Racont'arts celebrates oral tradition and the pleasure of listening.
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Les Racont'arts: A Celebration of Spoken Word in Orne
Since 2007, the Les Racont'arts festival has brought the media libraries and libraries of Orne to life with the sound of stories and tales. Organized by the Médiathèque Départementale de l'Orne, this traveling festival has become the autumn gathering for all lovers of storytelling, tales, and spoken arts.
A Traveling Festival Throughout the Department
The originality of Les Racont'arts lies in its traveling dimension. For about ten days in October, professional storytellers travel across the Orne department to perform in partner media libraries, libraries, and community halls. From Domfront to Bellême, from Flers to Mortagne-au-Perche, the festival takes over all corners of Orne.
Masters of the Spoken Word
Each edition features a selection of professional storytellers recognized for the quality of their repertoire and their art of narration. The performances offered cover a wide range of formats:
Traditional and Contemporary Tales
Storytellers draw from the traditional repertoire (folk tales, Norman legends, stories from around the world) and from contemporary creations, blending spoken word, music, and stage performance to captivate their audience.
Narrated Walks
Narrated walks invite participants to discover the landscapes of Orne through stories, combining walking, nature, and tales. These narrative strolls offer an original way to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the department.
Musical Performances and Storytelling with Music
Some artists combine storytelling and music, using instruments and songs to enrich their narratives, such as the sung ballads of La Loure, an association dedicated to Norman oral heritage.
A Free, Intergenerational Event
All Les Racont'arts performances are free, ensuring access to culture for everyone. The festival is aimed at both children and adults, with shows adapted for each audience. Partner media libraries often extend the event with selections of storybooks and complementary activities.
Les Racont'arts — edition 2026
20th edition of Les Racont'arts. Traveling festival of storytelling in the media libraries of Orne. Storytellers and program to be announced.
Prices Les Racont'arts 2026
Practical information — Les Racont'arts
Access and Transportation
The festival takes place in media libraries and libraries throughout the Orne department. As the performances are spread across many towns (Alençon, Flers, Argentan, Domfront, Bellême, Mortagne-au-Perche, Moulins-la-Marche, Valframbert, Champsecret, etc.), it is necessary to have a vehicle to get to the different venues. The detailed program indicates the precise locations and times of each performance.
Main Venue
The Médiathèque Départementale de l'Orne, 10 avenue de Basingstoke, 61000 Alençon, is the festival's organizational headquarters, but the performances take place in numerous towns spread across the entire department. Each partner media library hosts one or more performances during the festival.
Prices
All performances are completely free. Reservations are generally not required, but it is advisable to check with the local media library, as some performances have limited capacity.
Period and Program
The festival takes place over about ten days in October, usually the second half of the month. The complete program with the list of storytellers, venues, and performance times is available on the website of the Médiathèque Départementale de l'Orne (mdo.orne.fr), in partner media libraries, and on the social media channels of the Orne Departmental Council.
Audience
The performances are for all ages. Some are specifically adapted for children, while others are more intended for an adult audience. Outdoor narrated walks require attire suitable for walking and autumn weather.
Accessibility
Partner media libraries and libraries are generally accessible to people with reduced mobility. For outdoor narrated walks, inquire about the accessibility of the route with the organizing media library.
Contact
Médiathèque Départementale de l'Orne
10 avenue de Basingstoke, 61000 Alençon
Website: mdo.orne.fr
Practical Tips
- Consult the program in advance to identify performances near you
- For narrated walks, bring walking shoes and warm clothing
- Arrive a few minutes early, capacity may be limited
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Les Racont'arts at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Les Racont'arts
Médiathèques de l'Orne (festival itinérant)
10 avenue de Basingstoke, 61000 Alençon