On July 5, 2026, Abjat-sur-Bandiat hosts the Félibrée — the largest cultural gathering in the Périgord. Thousands of people, embroidered costumes, a feast under a grand marquee, and a language we are determined not to let fade away. And for guests at Château le Verdoyer: it all happens just 5 km away.
What is the Félibrée?
The Félibrée — felibrejada in Occitan — is much more than a folklore festival. It is a popular, itinerant celebration that has traveled from village to village across the Périgord since 1903. That year, Mareuil-sur-Belle had the honor of hosting the first edition. Since then, every corner of the department has had its moment: Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière in 2004, Piégut-Pluviers in 2012, and now, Abjat-sur-Bandiat.
Today, it is the largest annual event in the Dordogne. Thousands of visitors from all over the world come together to celebrate the Occitan language and its way of life. It is an event that grows every year, without ever losing its soul.
A living celebration, not a museum piece
What strikes you at the Félibrée is its energy. You don’t come to view the past behind glass — you live it, you sing it, and you taste it. The organizers from the Bornat dau Périgord ensure this every year with meticulous care: from the authenticity of the costumes and instruments to the traditional crafts. Yet, it always remains firmly focused on the future.
And the festivities don’t just happen on the big day. The six months leading up to the Félibrée are a celebration in their own right: conferences, performances, cultural days, and themed evenings. The Bornat is committed year-round to passing on the Occitan language, from preschool to university level. In this way, the Félibrée actively contributes to the preservation of languages that the modern world has been all too quick to label as “forgotten.”
On the program: procession, taulada, and court of love
The day is structured around three key highlights, each deeply rooted in pure Occitan tradition:
The Procession — Folk groups in traditional costumes parade through the village streets to the sound of period instruments. A colorful and moving spectacle.
The Taulada — A grand, convivial meal under a large marquee. Good humor, fine wines, and that uniquely Périgourdine warmth you won’t find anywhere else.
The Court of Love — Inherited from the medieval troubadours, it pays tribute to fin’amor: the art of loving, of conducting oneself with grace, and of singing the beauty of the world. Modern in form, timeless in spirit.
Attending a Félibrée means treating yourself to a day where simplicity, sharing, and mutual respect reign supreme — along with a healthy dose of genuine joy.
Le Verdoyer: your base camp just 5 km from the festivities
Good news for guests at Château le Verdoyer: Abjat-sur-Bandiat is only five kilometers from the campsite. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the Félibrée without worrying about the journey home — and to finish the evening peacefully by the lake, with your feet in the grass.
Around July 5th, accommodations in the region fill up quickly. Whether you prefer a camping pitch under the oaks, a comfortable mobile home, or a room at the château, it is best not to wait.
4-star campsite · Champs Romain, Périgord Vert · Open from May to September
