Léz'arts de la Rue Festival

Thirty Years of Performing Arts in Medieval Alleys

Since 1995, the Léz'arts de la Rue festival has transformed the medieval town of Marcolès into a vast open-air stage every August 15th. Born from the initiative of the Comité d'Animation Culturelle de Marcolès, this festive and popular event has become a must-attend summer gathering in Cantal, blending street theater, circus, music, and humor in an exceptional heritage setting.

Marcolès, a Medieval Gem for Street Arts

Marcolès is no ordinary village. Labeled a 'Petite Cité de Caractère' and listed among the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France' (Most Beautiful Villages of France), this former fortified town in southern Cantal has preserved its medieval heritage intact: fortified gates, narrow streets called 'carriéros' in Occitan, Renaissance facades, vaulted cellars, and shaded squares. This unique setting becomes an extraordinary playground for street artists for one day. Every corner of the village turns into a stage: companies take over the carriéros, squares, house balconies, gardens, the schoolyard, and even the sports field.

A Popular, Free, and Family-Friendly Festival

The festival's philosophy is based on access to culture for all. Admission is free, and the shows are accessible to all ages, making Léz'arts de la Rue a truly intergenerational event. Each edition hosts about ten professional companies from all over France, offering diverse artistic forms: street theater, contemporary circus, acrobatic arts, clowning, itinerant music, puppetry, stilt walkers, and jugglers. Performances run from noon until the end of the day, offering spectators a journey of artistic discovery through the village alleys.

A Human Adventure Powered by Volunteers

Léz'arts de la Rue is, above all, a wonderful collective adventure. The Comité d'Animation Culturelle de Marcolès, a non-profit association (law 1901), mobilizes about a hundred volunteers aged 10 to 90 each year to organize the event. This massive involvement of the local population—in a village of only 650 inhabitants—is the festival's strength and authenticity. Volunteers handle visitor reception, on-site catering, company support, and the logistics of this exceptional day.

Festivities Begin the Day Before

The festivities kick off on the evening of August 14th with a convivial evening: an outdoor meal (barbecue), followed by a concert and a dance party. The next day, August 15th, traditionally begins with a 'tripoux' (a local specialty) meal served from 8 a.m. in the multi-purpose hall, followed by children's games starting at 10 a.m. At noon, the festival is in full swing: companies take over the village, and performances unfold simultaneously throughout the town. Fairground stalls, musical entertainment, and on-site catering accompany spectators throughout the day, which sometimes concludes with fireworks and a ball.

A Major Event in Cantal

With around 4,000 spectators gathering each year in this small village in the Cantal region, Léz'arts de la Rue has become a major cultural event in the Cantal department. In 2025, the festival celebrated its 30th edition, demonstrating the vitality and perseverance of an association that brings a remarkable medieval heritage to life through culture and performing arts.