Fireflies of Montauban

From 11 July to 31 August 2025, Montauban will be decked out in lights to put on one of the most enchanting shows of the summer. For the fourth consecutive year, the Festival des Lucioles is transforming the city of Ingres into a veritable open-air art gallery, where architectural heritage and contemporary creations come together in a breathtaking visual symphony. Every evening, from dusk onwards, the Pink City becomes the setting for a festive métamorphosis that attracts thousands of marvellous visitors.

Imagine yourself wandering through the ruelles pavées of the historic centre as the last glimmers of daylight fade. Suddenly, at 10pm sharp, Montauban lights up in a totally unexpected way. The sunken facades come alive with colourful projections, the iconic bridges are adorned with dynamic lighting effects, and the whole town becomes a giant picture book that tells its own story before your very eyes. <The festive atmosphere transforms a simple evening stroll into a voyage of discovery into the heart of Montalban’s art and history. </Families gather, couples embrace, and amateur photographers capture the magic that keeps the city’s heart beating until 1am.

The Festival des Luciuteoles takes its show all over the city centre, creating a true artistic journey that reveals Montauban in a completely new light: Architectural gems illuminated the Musée Ingres Bourdelle stands majestically, its pink brick façades sublimated by artistic projections that dialogue with the œuvres it houses.

The Église Saint-Jacques unveils its Gothic silhouette in a respectful lighting scheme that highlights each architectural detail. The Pont Vieux, the Pont de Sapiac and the Pont des Consuls tell the story of Montauban’s thousand-year history through skilfully orchestrated illuminations. These stone bridges spanning the Tarn become temporary works of art, reflecting their lights in the calm waters of the river.

The place Lalaque becomes the setting for the official launch in a festive and solemn ambiance that sets the tone for this exceptional edition. This is the moment when the city officially slips into its summertime finery of lumière.

La Fête Nationale takes on a special dimension with the “Tontons Jazzeurs” who take over the place Lalaque(9pm). While a nocturne of contemporary dance sublimates the water mirror of the Place Nationale grâce à association Terre Fauve. The evening culminates in a firework display from the Pont Vieux (10:45pm), followed by the traditional 14th July ball on the Cours Foucault.

On Sundays 27 July, 10 and 24 August, the jardin des Plantes is transformed into an open-air cinéma.From 5.30pm, the youngest visitors will be treated to an animated film. While at 8.30pm, the whole family gather for a public screening under the canopy.

   L’Opéra sous les étoiles – Sunday 13 July  An exceptional moment with the projection of Puccini’s “Turandot” (8:30pm), directed by Robert Wilson in partnership with the Opéra National de Paris.The jardin des Plantes becomes an open-air theatre for this unique operatic experience.

Every Thursday evening (7-11pm), the place Roosevelt comes alive with the marchés nocturnes musicaux. These weekly get-togethers mingle décovered gastronomy and musical ambience in the festival’s enchanting setting. Local producers offer their spés while musicians create the perfect soundtrack to thesesummer evenings.