Théâtres de Bourbon
Traveling theater festival in exceptional Bourbonnais locations
About Théâtres de Bourbon
Theater in Heritage Settings
Born in 2019 from the intuition of a theater and Bourbonnais heritage enthusiast, Théâtres de Bourbon has established itself in just a few editions as a major cultural event in the Allier department. The concept is unique: exclusively using listed exceptional locations -- castles, manors, hermitages, estates -- to host high-quality theatrical performances. The natural and architectural setting then becomes a showcase that enhances the proposed texts.
A Repertoire Between Classics and Creation
Each year, the festival programs around forty performances during the first half of August. The repertoire blends great classics of theater -- Molière, Shakespeare, Pagnol, Romain Gary -- with original creations and contemporary plays. The participating troupes are all professional and seasoned, sharing a passionate and demanding approach to the dramatic arts. A carte blanche also opens the festival to young companies and emerging creation.
Eight Remarkable Sites in the Heart of Bourbonnais
The festival unfolds in eight heritage sites spread across different communes in the Allier, offering spectators the opportunity to discover often little-known architectural treasures: the Ermitage Saint-Sébastien in Charroux, the Manoir des Chapiats in Laféline, the Château de Charnes in Marigny, the Château des Aix in Meillard, the Château de Lachaise in Monétay-sur-Allier, the Domaine de la Quérye in Monteignet-sur-l'Andelot, the Château d'Avrilly in Trévol, and the Manoir des Noix in Veauce.
A Committed and Accessible Festival
Théâtres de Bourbon carries a strong ambition: to make theater accessible to an audience often distant from it in rural areas. The pricing policy reflects this commitment: every 6th ticket is free, admission is free for children under 12, and reduced rates are offered to people in precarious situations. The festival, rooted in its territory in the heart of France, also contributes to revitalizing the rural economy of Bourbonnais by attracting audiences from all over the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Driven by a team of passionate volunteers, the festival questions the human condition through texts, true to its founding mission: "to ask questions that move us to change society".
Théâtres de Bourbon — edition 2026
8th edition of the Théâtres de Bourbon festival, from July 31st to August 10th, 2026. The open-air theatre festival takes over six classified heritage sites in Bourbonnais (Allier) with 28 performances spread across 10 shows, mixing great classics from the repertoire and contemporary creations, interpreted by professional companies.
8th Edition — From July 31st to August 10th, 2026
The 8th edition of Théâtres de Bourbon takes place from July 31st to August 10th, 2026, in classified heritage sites in the Allier department. The festival offers 28 performances across 10 shows, played every evening at 8:30 PM outdoors, amidst exceptional architectural and natural settings.
The 2026 program mixes great classics from the repertoire and contemporary works: Tartuffe and The School for Wives by Molière, No Trifling with Love and Marianne's Caprices by Musset, Cyrano de Bergerac by Rostand, La Périchole by Offenbach, Bel Ami after Maupassant, The Trojan War Will Not Take Place by Giraudoux, Incendies by Wajdi Mouawad, The Girl from Ipanema around Michel Legrand, and Educating Rita by Willy Russell.
True to its mission, the festival supports contemporary theatrical creation as well as young companies, authors, and directors, in remarkable venues that serve as a setting for the presented texts.
Programme Théâtres de Bourbon 2026
Venues for the 2026 Edition (6 classified heritage sites)
- Abbaye Royale Saint-Léger — Ébreuil
- Château de Charnes — Marigny
- Château de Lachaise — Monétay-sur-Allier
- Hôtel de Rougé — Moulins
- Manoir des Noix — Veauce
- Manoir des Places — Neuilly-le-Réal
10 Shows — 28 Performances (from July 31st to August 10th, 2026, at 8:30 PM)
- Tartuffe — Molière (1h30, from 12 years old)
- No Trifling with Love — Musset (2h, from 13 years old)
- The Girl from Ipanema — around Michel Legrand (1h10, from 13 years old)
- Incendies — Wajdi Mouawad (1h30, from 15 years old)
- Educating Rita — Willy Russell (1h30, from 13 years old)
- Marianne's Caprices — Musset (2h, from 13 years old)
- Cyrano de Bergerac — Edmond Rostand
- La Périchole — Offenbach
- Bel Ami — after Maupassant
- The Trojan War Will Not Take Place — Giraudoux
All performances begin at 8:30 PM outdoors. In case of bad weather, shows may be moved to a nearby covered venue; any changes of venue or cancellations are communicated on the official website and social media. The detailed schedule of performances by date and venue is published on the official website's agenda.
Highlights Théâtres de Bourbon 2026
- 28 performances spread across 10 shows
- 6 classified heritage sites in Bourbonnais (Allier)
- Open-air theatre, every evening at 8:30 PM
- Classics (Molière, Musset, Rostand, Offenbach) and contemporary works (Mouawad, Russell)
Prices Théâtres de Bourbon 2026
Practical information — Théâtres de Bourbon
Practical Information
Festival Locations
The festival takes place in 8 listed heritage sites spread across the Allier department:
- Ermitage Saint-Sébastien, Charroux (03140)
- Manoir des Chapiats, Laféline
- Château de Charnes, Marigny
- Château des Aix, Meillard
- Château de Lachaise, Monétay-sur-Allier
- Domaine de la Quérye, Monteignet-sur-l'Andelot
- Château d'Avrilly, Trévol
- Manoir des Noix, Veauce (03450)
Prices
- Every 6th ticket is free
- Free for children under 12
- Reduced rates for people in precarious situations
Contact
Phone: 06 64 62 30 91
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.theatresdebourbon.com
Good to Know
- Performances are held outdoors in the courtyards and gardens of the heritage sites: bring clothing suitable for the weather.
- The festival is traveling: consult the detailed program to find the locations and times of each performance.
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Where does it take place — Théâtres de Bourbon
Lieux patrimoniaux classés du Bourbonnais (itinérant — Veauce, Ébreuil, Marigny, Monétay-sur-Allier, Moulins, Neuilly-le-Réal)
Manoir des Noix, 03450 Veauce