Musicalies en Sologne
The festival of popular arts and traditional music in Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre
2026
About Musicalies en Sologne
Musicalies en Sologne — edition 2026
The 39th edition of Musicalies en Sologne was held from May 1st to 3rd, 2026 in Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre. Three days of concerts, traditional dances, and activities with Camerata, Terres Brunes, Les Vidals, Kéméstounaré, Ardante, Planchée and the Jean-Claude Botton evening vigil.
39th Edition: Three Days of Popular Arts in Sologne
From Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, the UCPS (Union for Popular Culture in Sologne) organized the 39th edition of Musicalies en Sologne in the town center of Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre (Loir-et-Cher). Concerts, traditional dances, a storytelling walk, a children's brass band, a luthier market, and a participatory evening vigil followed one another for three days around the Village Hall and the church square.
A Program with Multiple Horizons
The 2026 edition brought together several regional and Creole traditions: Camerata (Poitou - Auvergne - Reunion), Terres Brunes (Gascogne), Les Vidals (Quercy), Kéméstounaré (Reunion maloya), Ardante (Auvergne) and Planchée (Upper Brittany). On the youth side, the Amusiaux brass band and the children from the local school animated the traditional «Maypole» on Sunday morning.
Traditional Dances, Evening Vigil, and Participatory Moments
In accordance with the festival's proven formula, each evening opened with a concert and continued with a traditional dance. Sunday, May 3rd concluded with «Le Bœuf» at 6:45 PM in front of the church — a collective jam bringing together all present musicians — followed by the 8 PM evening vigil around Jean-Claude Botton: songs, dance music, stories, and other entertainment shared with the musicians present.
An Organization Led by UCPS Since 1987
The Union for Popular Culture in Sologne has coordinated the festival since its creation in 1987. Based at 13 rue de Nouan in Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre, the association carries out in-depth work on traditional music and dances, lutherie, and the intergenerational transmission of Solognot popular arts and beyond.
Highlights Musicalies en Sologne 2026
- 39th edition of a festival established in the traditional music landscape since 1987
- Three evenings of concerts + traditional dances in the Village Hall
- Dialogue between traditions from Poitou, Gascogne, Quercy, Auvergne, Upper Brittany, and Reunion maloya
- Luthier market and «Knowledge Sharing» workshops
- Closing evening vigil with Jean-Claude Botton and all present musicians
Programme Musicalies en Sologne 2026
Friday, May 1st, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Camerata Concert · Village Hall — Trio blending music from Poitou, Auvergne, and Reunion.
- 10:30 PM — Traditional Dance with Camerata and Terres Brunes (Gascogne) · Village Hall — Traditional dance to the repertoires of both groups.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Aperitif-Dance with Les Vidals (Quercy) · Village Hall — Opening dance in acoustic formation.
- 9:00 PM — Kéméstounaré Concert (maloya) · Village Hall — Reunion group dedicated to the roots of maloya.
- 10:30 PM — Traditional Dance with Kéméstounaré, Ardante, and Planchée · Village Hall — Big dance bringing together the three groups (Reunion, Auvergne, Upper Brittany).
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Storytelling Walk — Walk led by a storyteller (by reservation, specific fee).
- 11:30 AM — The Maypole · Village Square — Annual tradition led by the Amusiaux brass band and school children, with dances and songs.
- 6:45 PM — Le Bœuf · In front of the church — Collective jam session open to all musicians present.
- 8:00 PM — Evening Vigil with Jean-Claude Botton and present musicians · Village Hall — Songs, dance music, stories, and short forms shared collectively.
In parallel with the concerts and traditional dances, the festival hosted «Knowledge Sharing» workshops on Saturday and Sunday mornings, a luthier market, and food stalls throughout the weekend.
Prices Musicalies en Sologne 2026
Traditional dance only: 12 €
Storytelling walk (Sunday 10 AM): 5 €
Online ticketing: HelloAsso (UCPS)
Reservation recommended. Refreshments and light catering on site.
Musicalies en Sologne — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 1 May to 3 May 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Musicalies en Sologne
Access to Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre
By Car
Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre is located on the D2020, between Salbris and Lamotte-Beuvron, in the heart of Sologne. Parking lots are available on the outskirts of the village for the festival.
Location
The village is about 40 km south of Blois, 55 km north of Vierzon, and 180 km south of Paris.
Opening Hours
The festival takes place from Friday evening to Sunday in early May. Free activities take place on Saturday and Sunday during the day. Ticketed concerts are held on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Prices
Daytime activities (Saturday and Sunday) are free: open-air stages, dance workshops, luthier area, producers' market. Evening concerts (Friday and Saturday) are ticketed: prices available on the UCPS website.
Food and Drink
Food and drink stalls are available on-site, offering local products and Sologne specialties. A local producers' area allows you to discover regional products.
Children's Activities
Specific activities are offered for children: instrument discovery workshops, adapted dance introductions, and shows.
Contact
UCPS - Union for Popular Culture in Sologne
Website: www.ucps.fr
Town Hall of Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre: pierrefitte-sur-sauldre.fr
Musicalies en Sologne: The Celebration of Traditional Music
Musicalies en Sologne is a festival of popular arts held annually in the spring in Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre, a small village in the heart of Sologne in Loir-et-Cher. Founded in 1987, this event has become one of the major gatherings for traditional music and dance in France, attracting around 8,000 visitors each year.
A Festival Rooted in Popular Traditions
Musicalies en Sologne celebrates the richness of popular arts in all its forms. Musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers, actors, luthiers, and makers of traditional instruments gather for three days to share their passion and expertise. The festival is a place for cultural encounters and exchanges where knowledgeable amateurs and recognized professionals mingle in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Over 70 Groups on Village Stages
The Musicalies weekend transforms Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre into a true open-air music stage. More than 70 groups perform on various stages set up in the village streets, squares, and public spaces. Covered dance floors are provided to shelter dancers and spectators in case of bad weather. From Friday evening to Sunday, music resonates continuously, with free daytime activities and ticketed evening concerts.
Traditional Dance Workshops for Everyone
One of the highlights of Musicalies is the free traditional dance workshops, open to everyone regardless of skill level. Bourrées, rondeaux, scottishs, mazurkas, waltzes, and polkas are taught by experienced dancers who share their passion with pedagogy and good humor. These participatory moments embody the spirit of sharing and transmission that characterizes the festival.
A Space to Discover Luthiers
Musicalies en Sologne dedicates a space to lutherie and instrument making. Each year, about fifteen luthiers present their work and creations: hurdy-gurdies, bagpipes, diatonic accordions, violins, flutes, and other traditional instruments. Visitors can discover manufacturing techniques, try out instruments, and chat with these passionate artisans.
An Eco-responsible Commitment
The festival is committed to an eco-responsible approach, with particular attention paid to waste management, selective sorting, and the promotion of local products. A local producers' area allows visitors to discover and taste Sologne's specialties. The organization is led by the UCPS (Union for Popular Culture in Sologne), an association that has been working for nearly four decades to promote popular arts in Sologne.
Where does it take place — Musicalies en Sologne
Musicalies en Sologne in brief
History of Musicalies en Sologne
Edition 2025 May 2025Other festivals near Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre
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