Spring Festiv'

A festival like no other: when high school students take the lead

In the heart of Cantal, in the medieval town of Saint-Flour, an extraordinary music festival comes to life every spring. Spring Festiv' is not just any festival: it is entirely conceived, organized, and run by high school students. Since 2014, the final-year Bac Pro SAPAT (Services aux Personnes et Animation dans les Territoires) students from Lycée Saint-Vincent/La Présentation take on the challenge each year of organizing a major cultural event for their region. An ambitious educational project that transforms into a true human and artistic adventure.

The Spring'festif association: youth at the helm

The Spring'festif association is the operational engine of the festival. Its remarkable characteristic: 92% of its members are under 20 years old. These young people are responsible for the entire organization, from artistic programming to communication, including scenography, logistics, and technical management. Each year, a new cohort of high school students takes over the torch, supported by the school's teaching staff and local partners.

The festival programs around seven professional bands spread over two evenings of concerts, as well as about twenty young talents who benefit from professional stage conditions. This dual programming allows both to offer a quality show to the public and to give emerging artists a chance to perform on a real stage.

Eco-responsibility at the heart of the project

Spring Festiv' stands out for its firm commitment to the environment. Labeled an eco-festival since its early editions, it implements concrete actions to reduce its ecological impact: use of eco-cups to limit waste, furniture made from recycled materials in partnership with the local ESAT (establishment for adults with disabilities), installation of dry toilets, and rigorous selective sorting.

In partnership with SYTEC (Syndicat des Territoires de l'Est Cantal), the festival offers exhibitions and awareness-raising activities on ecology for all audiences. This environmental dimension is fully integrated into the students' educational project, teaching them to reconcile event management and sustainable development.

Strong territorial roots

The Gymnase de la Vigière, located in the lower town of Saint-Flour, hosts the festival's concerts and activities. This venue provides a suitable setting for live performances while remaining accessible to everyone. Spring Festiv' is part of a strategy to revitalize the territory: it animates the cultural life of a town of less than 7,000 inhabitants and promotes local and regional artists.

The festival's solidarity approach is also reflected in partnerships with social and medico-social structures, such as the collaboration with ESAT for furniture manufacturing, or the sign language interpretation of some shows during certain editions. Spring Festiv' thus proves that culture can be a powerful vector for inclusion and social cohesion.

A springboard for Cantal's youth

Beyond the show, Spring Festiv' represents an exceptional training experience for the organizing high school students. Budget management, negotiation with artists and service providers, communication, event logistics: these are all professional skills acquired in real-world conditions. Since its creation, the festival has seen hundreds of young organizers pass through, learning teamwork, responsibility, and perseverance through this project. Spring Festiv' has become an unmissable spring event in Saint-Flour and a source of pride for the entire educational community of Cantal.