Les Veillées
The traveling festival that celebrates in the neighborhoods of Allonnes
About Les Veillées
Les Veillées are a traveling festival organized by the Théâtre de Chaoué in the neighborhoods of Allonnes, in Sarthe. Every Saturday in July, the festival sets up its stage in a different neighborhood for a friendly evening mixing live performance and popular guinguette. Theater, circus, music, and dance are offered free to the public, followed by a modestly priced banquet where neighbors and families share a meal at long tables. A warm summer event that builds community among residents.
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Les Veillées: When Theater Comes to the Neighborhoods
Led by the Théâtre de Chaoué, a reference cultural structure in Allonnes, Les Veillées is a traveling festival that brings live performance closer to the residents. Every Saturday in July, the theater team invests a different neighborhood of the city to set up a temporary stage and a friendly guinguette. The atmosphere is that of a modern village festival: people come with family, friends, or neighbors to discover a show and share a moment of conviviality.
A Traveling and Participatory Concept
The originality of Les Veillées lies in its traveling nature. The festival moves from neighborhood to neighborhood: the Perrières, the Chaoué district, the Vieux Bourg... Each evening takes over an emblematic place in the neighborhood – esplanade, forecourt, square – and transforms it into a festive space. This itinerant approach allows it to reach audiences who do not necessarily frequent performance venues and to create moments of encounter between the different neighborhoods of the city.
Live Performance and Guinguette
Each Veillée consists of two highlights. First, a free outdoor performance, programmed with the artistic rigor that characterizes the Théâtre de Chaoué: theater, circus, music, or dance, the forms vary from one evening to another. Then, the banquet, a true institution of Les Veillées: at a modest price (4 to 5 euros), spectators share a convivial meal at long tables, in the spirit of the guinguettes of yesteryear. Reservations can be made by phone or email with the Théâtre de Chaoué.
A Festival Rooted in Local Life
Les Veillées are part of the ambitious cultural policy of the city of Allonnes, which uses live performance as a tool for social connection and cultural democratization. The Théâtre de Chaoué, located at Port Belle-Eau, is an essential player in this dynamic. Les Veillées extend its action throughout the summer, offering the residents of Allonnes and the Le Mans metropolitan area festive and artistic evenings in a warm and popular atmosphere.
Les Veillées — edition 2026
Les Veillées are expected to return on Saturdays in July 2026 in the neighborhoods of Allonnes, with free outdoor performances and guinguette banquets organized by the Théâtre de Chaoué.
Les Veillées – 2026 Edition
Les Veillées are expected to return on Saturdays in July 2026 in the neighborhoods of Allonnes. The Théâtre de Chaoué is preparing a new edition of its traveling festival, true to the formula that makes it successful: free outdoor performances followed by modestly priced guinguette banquets.
The exact dates, neighborhoods involved, and artistic program will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the Théâtre de Chaoué website.
Prices Les Veillées 2026
Practical information — Les Veillées
Practical Information
Access
By car: Allonnes is located south of Le Mans, accessible via the N23 or the southern ring road of Le Mans. The locations of Les Veillées change every Saturday (Perrières, Chaoué, Vieux Bourg).
By tram: Line T1 from Le Mans center, stops in the neighborhoods of Allonnes.
Prices
Free shows. Banquet at €4-5 per person (by reservation at 02 43 80 40 08 or [email protected]). Bring your own cutlery.
Schedules
Saturdays in July. Banquet at 7 PM or 8 PM depending on the evening, show at 8:30 PM.
Contact
Théâtre de Chaoué – Tel: 02 43 80 40 08 – [email protected]
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Les Veillées
Quartiers d'Allonnes (itinérant)
Port Belle-Eau, 72700 Allonnes