Home / Blog

Gannat's Festival des Cultures du Monde: the practical guide

Published 31 October 2026

The Festival Les Cultures du Monde (World Cultures Festival) in Gannat takes place every year at the end of July, over six days. In 2026, the 52nd edition was held from 21 to 26 July. The 2027 dates have not yet been published: the organisers will announce them in the coming months. Here are the essentials for planning your visit.

A festival born in Gannat in 1974

The festival was created in 1974 on the initiative of Jean Roche. It is organised by the Association Nationale Cultures du Monde, based in Gannat, and is part of the international CIOFF network (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals). The principle has not changed since the beginning: inviting troupes from all over the world to share their traditional dances, music and costumes.

The 50th edition was celebrated in 2024. The festival relies on several hundred volunteers, and some of the performers are hosted by local families or in the town's facilities. For a week, Gannat changes pace: you can hear languages and instruments from every continent in the streets.

When does the festival take place?

The festival usually runs over the last full week of July.

• 2026 (52nd edition): from Tuesday 21 to Sunday 26 July.
• 2027: dates not yet published. Keep an eye on the official website lesculturesdumonde.org from the spring.

In 2026, eleven ensembles from four continents were announced, including groups from Kenya, Sri Lanka, Albania, Slovakia, Finland, Acadia (Canada), Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.

A typical day's programme

The programme changes every year, but the same highlights come back. Here is what the 2026 edition looked like:

• The parades: a big opening parade (on the Wednesday at 6 pm in 2026) and a night parade (on the Friday at 9.30 pm). The troupes cross the town in costume. Free of charge.
• The "Panorama" shows: indoor shows at the Arena, bringing several troupes together on stage. Tickets are required.
• The Place du Festival: the former Champ de Foire becomes the heart of the festival, with a stage, dances, cabarets, workshops and an international craft market (the "Souk").
• Workshops and meetings: dance taster sessions, instrument making, film screenings with discussions, talks and themed days devoted to one country.

Shows are also staged in partner villages around Gannat. The detailed day-by-day programme is published on the official website a few weeks before the festival.

Tickets and prices

The parades and outdoor events are free. Entry to the Place du Festival and the indoor shows are ticketed. As a guide, the 2026 prices were as follows:

• Place du Festival, day entry: €7 (€5 reduced rate).
• Show at the Arena: €20 (€14 reduced rate).
• Free for under-12s at the Place du Festival.
• A festival pass gives access to all performances.

The 2027 prices are not yet known: check them before you go. Tickets are sold online on the festival's official website. Book early for weekend shows, which are the most popular.

Coming with children

The festival makes a great family outing. In 2026, several events were designed for children:

• a children's corner with dance workshops in the morning;
• a creative workshop area in the afternoon (clay, nature, instrument making);
• a children's dance on the Saturday afternoon.

A few simple tips: bring hats, water bottles and sun cream, as it is often hot at the end of July. For the parade, take your place on the route a little early, ideally in the shade. The night parade finishes late for little ones: the opening parade, in the late afternoon, is more suitable.

Parking and getting around

During the parades, some streets in the centre are closed to traffic. The easiest option is to park a little way from the centre and walk the rest: Gannat is easy to cross on foot. Parking instructions and any shuttle services are announced by the town and the organisers as the festival approaches; the Val de Sioule tourist office can also help. If you are staying in the centre, leave the car at your property for the duration of your stay.

Book your accommodation early

Festival week is one of the busiest of the year in Gannat. Troupes, volunteers and visitors all arrive at the same time, and properties in the centre go quickly. We recommend booking as soon as the dates are announced, or even before if you already know when you want to come.

To be a few minutes' walk from the parades, our apartments and houses in Gannat are the most convenient, such as La Grande Maison Gannat or L'Annexe. If you prefer peace and quiet in the evening, our country gîtes with swimming pools are a few minutes away by car. Coming as a group, with a troupe or friends? See our group stays page. All our properties can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included.

To get to know the town before you arrive, you can also read our article on the history of Gannat.