Culture and major events

Welcome to "Sud-Ouest Authentique", a region jam-packed with traditions, creativity and exciting festivals. Experience a whole host of events that capture your imagination throughout the year. Whether you’re into jazz, the Middle Ages, cool hats, glowing lanterns or Latin American beats, the South West sets the scene for a kaleidoscope of experiences.

Festivities and traditions

Join us for a unique sensory immersion

It's a whirlwind of rich and diverse culture with the likes of the Fêtes Médiévales on Place des Arcades in Monflanquin, concerts under the stars at Jazz in Marciac, extravagant hat parades at Estivales du Chapeau in Caussade, village fairs alive with brass bands and so much more.

Art and culture come in every shape and size and are everywhere you look: museums (including the one devoted to the famous painter and sculptor Ingres!), vineyards with the unmissable Flamme de l’Armagnac, street art in the villages and land art in the countryside. Step inside and soak up our iconic heritage sites including Flaran and Beaulieu Abbey or Eglise des Jacobins with its unique exhibitions in Agen.
You can even follow in the footsteps of King Henri IV and D’Artagnan.

Join us on a unique sensory adventure where music, history and creativity collide in an unforgettable celebration of South West France’s heritage.

Our favourite events

Jazz in Marciac : a musical showcase in the Gers countryside. The quiet village of Marciac turns into an open-air jazz club every summer. The Gers countryside comes to life with smooth beats and world-famous artists in a magical atmosphere at Jazz in Marciac. Jive to jazzy jams, explore pretty lanes and soak up the region’s musical soul.
Fêtes Médiévales in Monflanquin : take a trip back in time to the Middle Ages. Monflanquin’s steep streets come to life as the Fêtes Médiévales whisks visitors back to medieval times. Minstrels, knights and merchants recreate the bustling atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Be part of fascinating historical reenactments, wander among the artisan stalls and watch epic jousts with an immersive medieval experience.
Estivales du Chapeau in Caussade : hold onto your hats at this creative showcase. Caussade is famous for its milliners and hosts the Estivales du Chapeau every year. Feast your eyes on unique and extravagant hats at the fashion and design event. Watch unforgettable catwalk shows, get creative at workshops and dive into the fascinating world of hat making.
Festival des Lanternes: a wonderland of lights and colours, the Festival des Lanternes, illuminates the night in Montauban and turns the town into a wonderland. Gaze at artistic glowing lanterns inspired by Chinese traditions. Stroll among the magical light installations, watch outdoor artistic performances and drink in the magic of this unique festival.
Tempo Latino : celebrate Latin beats in Vic-Fezensac! Soak up the vibrant energy of Latin American music at Tempo Latino. Vic-Fezensac plays host to a musical carnival that brings the town to life with salsa, samba and merengue. Sway to the beat of the drums, join a dance class and sample the exotic flavours that make this festival an unmissable celebration of Latino culture.

Chapeaux de Caussade © Lauriane Donzelli / Tarn-et-Garonne Tourisme

Jazz in Marciac © D.Viet / CRTL Occitanie

Our cultural favourites

Abbaye de Baulieu : the abbey has reopened to visitors following 3 years of restoration work. Over 1000 artworks have breathed new life into the iconic site, including pieces by Hans Hartung, Dubuffet and Henri Michaux. There's even a new collection devoted to the New Paris School.
Abbaye de Flaran: the Cistercian abbey was founded in 1151 and is among the best preserved in South West France. Take a trip here to explore the monastery buildings (church, cloister, chapterhouse, refectory, dormitory and abbots lodge) and grounds. Your visit will take you back in time exploring European artistic movements as you peruse the outstanding Silmonow collection and its 16th-20th century masterpieces (Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Braque, Tiepolo, Rubens, Courbet, Rodin etc.). It hosts a variety of events and exhibitions all year long.
Musée Ingres Bourdelle: it pays tribute to two local celebrities, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Antoine Bourdelle. The Montauban museum was founded in 1820 in the former bishop’s palace. But the museum really took off in 1867, when Ingres died and it devoted itself to the artist: the museum was left all the artworks in the famous Montauban artist’s studio and was renamed Musée Ingres.
Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Agen and its temporary exhibitions at Eglise des Jacobins. The Agen Fine Arts Museum was founded in 1876 and has one of the best collections in South West France. Its 4 Renaissance manors house 3000 items and pieces dating back from prehistoric times right up to the 20th century. Paintings by Goya, Sisley, Tintoret, Corot and Monet appear alongside ceramic pieces by Palissy. The Musée des Beaux-Arts hosts temporary exhibitions at Eglise des Jacobins in Agen old town.