Les Villages Engloutis

A festival rooted in the memory of the lost villages

In 1974, three villages in the Haute-Marne region — Nuisement-aux-Bois, Chantecoq, and Champaubert-aux-Bois — were sacrificed to allow the flooding of the Lac du Der-Chantecoq, a vast 4,800-hectare reservoir designed to protect Paris from the Marne River's floods. Nearly 300 inhabitants had to leave their homes, taking with them memories and traditions. The Les Villages Engloutis festival perpetuates this memory by transforming the lake's shores into a place of celebration, culture, and transmission.

Two stages for an eclectic program

The festival unfolds its program across two complementary stages:

• The main stage: dedicated to contemporary music and artists from the regional and national scene, it hosts rock, French chanson, electro-acoustic, and world music groups.
• The acoustic stage: reserved for local bands and more intimate performances — acoustic sets, slam poetry, musical storytelling, and artistic discoveries.

The program reflects the festival's values: eclecticism, accessibility, and local roots, offering a showcase for emerging talents from Haute-Marne and the Grand Est region.

Activities, workshops, and gastronomy

Beyond music, Les Villages Engloutis offers an activity village designed for all audiences. Creative workshops, photographic exhibitions on the history of the submerged villages, meetings with local artisans, and festive contests punctuate the weekend. Local gastronomy plays a central role thanks to selected food trucks and artisanal brewers from Haute-Marne, highlighting products from the Champagne region.

A spectacular natural setting at night

The festival draws part of its magic from its exceptional natural setting. Lac du Der, the largest artificial lake in France, offers a breathtaking landscape, especially at dusk when the stages light up facing the water. Sunsets over the lake are a natural spectacle that accompanies the first notes of each evening, creating a unique atmosphere.

An associative and civic project

Supported by the association Au Petit Paris, an associative and cultural bar established in Saint-Dizier since 2019, the festival relies on the commitment of a team of passionate volunteers, led by Josselin Thomas. The project is part of an eco-responsible approach — using biodegradable materials, selective sorting, waste reduction — and a desire for social connection through partnerships with integration associations and local accommodation structures. The festival collaborates notably with the Fondation Lucy Lebon to develop educational and inclusive projects.