The Fireflies of Montauban

From 2 July to 30 August, Montauban is decked out in lights to present one of the summer’s most enchanting spectacles.

For the fifth year running, the Festival des Lucioles transforms 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, as night falls, the ‘Pink City’ becomes the setting for a magical metamorphosis that attracts thousands of awestruck visitors.

Imagine yourself strolling through the cobbled streets of the historic centre as the last rays of daylight fade.

Suddenly, at 10 pm sharp, Montauban lights up in a completely new way.

The centuries-old façades come to life with colourful projections, the iconic bridges are adorned with dynamic light displays, and the whole city becomes a giant picture book that unfolds before your amazed eyes.

The magical atmosphere that takes hold transforms a simple evening stroll into a journey of discovery into the heart of Montauban’s art and history.

Families gather, couples embrace, and amateur photographers capture this fleeting magic that keeps the city’s heart beating until 1 am.

The Festival des Lucioles unfolds across the entire city centre, creating a veritable artistic trail that reveals Montauban in a completely new light:

The illuminated architectural gems: the Ingres Bourdelle Museum stands majestically, its pink-brick façades enhanced by artistic projections that complement the works it houses.

Saint-Jacques Church reveals its Gothic silhouette in a respectful lighting display that highlights every architectural detail.

The Place Nationale, the beating heart of Montauban, becomes an open-air lounge where the illuminated arcades create an atmosphere that is both intimate and grandiose.

The cafés and restaurants lining the square offer prime terraces from which to admire this unique spectacle.

The bridges: luminous witnesses to history The Pont Vieux, the Pont de Sapiac and the Pont des Consuls recount Montauban’s thousand-year history through skilfully orchestrated illuminations.

These stone monuments spanning the River Tarn become temporary works of art, their lights reflecting in the calm waters of the river.

Meet at Place Roosevelt for the official launch of Les Lucioles, with a light show projected onto the cathedral façade at 11 pm.

From Friday to Sunday, from 10 pm to midnight, a light show will be projected onto the façade of the cathedral on Place Roosevelt, from 3 July to 30 August.

Every Thursday evening from 7pm to 11pm, at Place Roosevelt, the night-time music markets bring the Montalban summer to life. Local producers, a friendly atmosphere and live music are all on offer

Four Wednesdays dedicated to young children, at the fountain area in the Jardin des Plantes:

8 July (2.00–6.00 pm): wooden games
22 July (3.30 pm): sound-themed naps with Frédérick
5 August (2pm–6pm): face-painting workshop and ‘Le manège à malices’
19 August (2 pm–6 pm): storytelling

From 10 to 12 July, Cours Foucault: entertainment and rock/swing concerts organised by the Cox’N Swing association.

8 days of chess madness in Montauban.

4 OFFICIAL TOURNAMENTS: Classic (International Open des Boulets and International Open des Canons), Rapid and Blitz, 2 FUN TOURNAMENTS: Hand-Brain and 4-Player Blitz, and ACTIVITIES EVERY DAY: Simultaneous exhibition match against Laurent Fressinet – International Grandmaster, Introductory sessions, Majority Game, Puzzle Streak, and more…

To celebrate National Day, Montauban is hosting a festive, community-focused evening with a packed programme of events across several iconic venues in the city centre.

The evening kicks off at 9.00 pm on Place Foch with a concert by the ‘Tontons Jazzeurs’, setting a festive and convivial musical atmosphere. At the same time, at 9.15 pm, Place Nationale will host a contemporary dance performance organised by the Terre Fauve association, which will take to the reflecting pool for an artistic and poetic moment.

The highlight of the evening will be the fireworks display launched from the Pont Vieux at 10.45 pm, offering a spectacular pyrotechnic show above the River Tarn.

The celebrations will then continue with the Cours Foucault ball, where you can dance the night away!

The programme
9.00 pm: Concert by Les Tontons Jazzeurs, Place Foch
9.15 pm: Contemporary dance performance, Place Nationale
10.45 pm: Fireworks, Pont Vieux
Followed by the 14 July ball, Cours Foucault

Four film evenings at the Espace Fontaine in the Jardin des Plantes, featuring a family screening in the early evening and a film for adults at 8.30 pm:

19 July: Film concert ‘Le Garçon et le Monde’ (5.30 pm) | The Count of Monte Cristo (8.30 pm)
2 August: *Tous en scène* (5.30 pm) | *L’Amour ouf* (8.30 pm)
9 August: Lilo & Stitch (5.30 pm) | Rasta Rocket (8.30 pm)
23 August: The Secret Life of Pets (5.30 pm) | Monsieur Aznavour (8.30 pm)

Two exceptional evenings at the Espace Fontaine in the Jardin des Plantes:

26 July at 8.30 pm: Madame Butterfly — music by Giacomo Puccini, directed by Robert Wilson
16 August at 8.30 pm: Cinderella ballet — choreography by Rudolf Nureyev, music by Sergei Prokofiev