Festival Cultures Aux Coeurs A celebration of world dances and music at Montignac-Lascaux

CULTURES AUX CŒURS FESTIVAL IN MONTIGNAC-LASCAUX: A CELEBRATION OF WORLD DANCES AND MUSIC (from July 28 to August 3, 2025)

A cultural event rooted in its territory

Every year, Montignac-Lascaux becomes the meeting point for artistic groups from all over the world for the Cultures aux Cœurs Festival.

Founded in 1981, this event highlights traditional dances and music from various cultures, promoting exchange and dialogue between peoples.

Since joining CIOFF in 1983, a partner organization of UNESCO, the festival has been involved in a process of promoting intangible cultural heritage.

Over the years, it has welcomed more than 400 groups from 105 countries, highlighting the richness and diversity of artistic expressions.

A week punctuated by entertainment and shows

The festival lasts for a week (from July 28 to August 3, 2025) and offers a varied program with daily shows , entertainment in the city and moments of conviviality.

The Terrasse de l'Amitié, located on the banks of the Vézère, hosts every evening dance and music ensembles who present concerts and highly accomplished choreographic performances.

Alongside the shows, several spaces allow you to explore different aspects of the festival:

• Espace Nelson Mandela: a place for meetings, exhibitions and events, where events and aperitif concerts take place.
• La Guinguette and la Bodega: festive spaces where music accompanies meals and evenings.
• The Marché du Monde, on Place Tourny, offering crafts and international gastronomy.
• Entertainment in the city, with spontaneous performances by groups during the Wednesday morning market, the Sunday parade and the big “Ville en fête” on Friday evening.

A history marked by thematic editions

Since its creation, the festival has experienced several highlights:

• In 1990, it hosted a stage on the Vézère for the first time.
• In 1999, an edition dedicated to China put the spotlight on the Peking Opera.
• In 2010, the 30th anniversary was celebrated under the theme "Similar Men", with a tribute to Nelson Mandela.
• In 2021, after a postponement due to the health crisis, the festival celebrates its ^40th anniversary and confirms its commitment to cultural diversity and peace between peoples.

The must-see places to discover around Montignac-Lascaux

The Périgord Noir is full of historical and natural sites accessible within 30 km of Montignac-Lascaux. Among the places to visit:

• Lascaux IV, international center of parietal art, presenting a faithful replica of the Lascaux cave.
• Sarlat-la-Canéda, a medieval town with remarkable architectural heritage.
• Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, cradle of prehistory with its decorated caves and its National Museum of Prehistory.
• La Roque Saint-Christophe, troglodyte site overlooking the Vézère.
• The Gouffre de Proumeyssac, a spectacular cavity decorated with mineral concretions.
• The villages of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, classified among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".
• Local markets, particularly that of Montignac, offer a discovery of local products: truffles, foie gras, nuts and Domme wines.
• Outdoor activities, such as canoeing on the Vézère, hiking on the GR36, or even bike rides between valleys and forests.

Every summer, the Cultures aux Cœurs Festival transforms Montignac-Lascaux into a stage open to the world, while integrating into a territory rich in its heritage and landscapes.