The Hèsta Gascona returns to Luchon from 14 to 17 August 2025. This Gascon festival, organised by the Pastorala association, puts the spotlight this year on Pyrenean flora and fauna. Four days of programming combine Occitan culture, natural discoveries and entertainment for all ages.
The event is based on the traditional Bal Gascon on 15 August, and offers a varied programme of talks, workshops, walks, concerts and shows. The aim is to promote Gascon culture and the natural riches of the Pyrenees in an accessible atmosphere.
The festival kicks off with the “Caminada Gormanda” (9.00am), a walk starting from the Casino. At the same time, there will be discovery workshops for children aged 4 to 12 in the Parc du Casino (9.30am).
As for conferences, Vincent Touzet will be presenting traditional Occitan music (10.00 am) and Bernat Arrous will be leading an introduction to Gascon (2.00 pm) followed by a conference on the links between animals and local words (3.00 pm). A children’s show is scheduled at the Théâtre du Casino (3.00pm).
The day ends with a parade of guides on horseback along the Allées d’Étigny (9.00pm), followed by performances by folk groups in the Parc du Casino.
Isaure Gratacos presents the “Podoères”, traditional healers from the Pyrenees (10.00 am). In the afternoon, there are Occitan dance workshops at the MJC (2.00pm) and a concert by Lea eta Anuxka (3.00pm, ticket €5).
Robert Pujol gives a talk on Pyrenean flora (5.00pm). The evening continues with the bal à la voix et cantèra (7.00pm), followed by the bal gascon with the Musiciens du Comminges (9.00pm).
It’s a varied day, with a number of parallel activities starting at 10.00am: traditional bowling at the boulodrome, a nature walk through the flora and fauna (departure from MJC), a discovery of Basque pelota at the Saint-Mamet pelota court, and a traditional singing course with Wilfried Abo.
The afternoon features a range of workshops (dance, sound travel) and a play in Occitan called “A Trauca Pairòls” (3pm). The town centre will be alive with musical entertainment (4.00pm).
The evening features three concerts: PLUME (Folk Pop), LA MAL COIFFÉE (Polyphonies from Languedoc) and ORQUESTRINA TRAMA (Festive from Catalonia).
The farmers’ market takes place in the Parc du Casino (9.00am) at the same time as the book fair in the Salle Henri Pac (10.00am). Hubert Lassus-Pigat closes the series of lectures on ancient plants and vegetables (11.00am).
In the afternoon, there will be workshops on traditional instruments (accordion, bagpipes, flute, clari) before Fred Handy’s storytelling show (3.00pm). The festival concludes with concerts by AIRETÈRES and RAMBALH (5.00 pm, admission €5) and the final cantèra (7.00 pm).
The event is aimed at a family and intergenerational audience. Many activities require advance registration via Hello-Asso. Prices remain affordable: €5 for some concerts, free for most events.
Visitors can take an active part in the workshops, courses and initiations, rather than just being spectators. This participatory approach is one of the hallmarks of the Hèsta.
Organiser: Association Pastorala
Information: 06 34 95 71 22
