Petites Cités d’Anjou en Lumière – 4th edition – Town centres aglow by candlelight and soft lighting, Christmas markets, and markets featuring designers and craftspeople, illuminated heritage sites and street performances (centred around light and fire) for the whole family.
From 27 November to 20 December 2026, travel from one Petite Cité to the next to discover the magic of a live show and the soft glow of candlelight, which invites you to lose yourself in reverie amongst the heritage sites at the heart of each town. A warm and luminous end-of-year stroll.
Every weekend in the run-up to Christmas (Friday and/or Saturday and/or Sunday), one or more ‘Petites Cités’ will be lit up and come to life for everyone to enjoy.
Free and open to all.
No fewer than 13 different shows will be on offer, presented by 9 performing arts companies selected from across the region.
A must-see this festive season!
Join us for the opening night on Friday 27 November 2026 in Le Thoureil (new municipality of Gennes Val de Loire).
Our amateur photography competition is back again this year with an Adult and a Children’s category.
27 November
LE THOUREIL
At 6.00 pm > ‘The Beauty of Movement’ exhibition
Courtyard of the Old School
From 6.00 pm > Meet the winegrowers
Courtyard of the Old School
From 6.00 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
6.30 pm > Musical and light show by RIVER SWING
Venue
28 November
AUBIGNÉ SUR LAYON
From 4.30 pm > Christmas market (artisans and food), food stalls and refreshments
Church Square
From 6 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
At 7.00 pm > Musical and illuminated street performance by the PILI PILI troupe
Starting from the church square
5 December
TURQUANT
From 11.00 am to 9.00 pm > Christmas market
Rue Château Gaillard (arts and crafts village)
At 3.00 pm > Film: ‘Il faut sauver Noël’
Village hall
From 5.45 pm > Town illuminated by torches and candles
At 6.00 pm > ‘Compagnie Luminescence’ street performance – ‘Féérie’ light show
Rue Château Gaillard (arts and crafts village)
At 8.00 pm > Fireworks
5 December
DENÉE
From 5.30 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
> Christmas markets (one at the Ferme de la Blairie and the other at the Salle Jean Commère)
6.00 pm > ‘Compagnie Luminescence’ street performance – ‘Féérie’ light show
Starting from Place Delcambre (behind the Town Hall)
6 December
MONTSOREAU
From 6.00 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
In front of the Town Hall
At 6.00 pm > Meet up for a candlelit procession to the performance venue
In front of the Town Hall
At 6.30 pm > ‘BELIEVE’ fire and pyrotechnics show by the SPECTRA company
Socio-cultural centre, 2 Avenue de La Loire
11 December
FONTEVRAUD L’ABBAYE
From 4.00 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
Town centre
From 4.30 pm > Welcome for children & distribution of snacks (Brioche and hot chocolate)
At 5.15 pm > Handing out lit lanterns
Foyer Yves Duteil
From 5.20 pm > Children’s procession through the village streets
End of the procession in the main courtyard of the Abbey
From 5.30 pm > Mulled wine for adults, brioche and sweets for children
Caquetoire at Saint Michel Church
From 6.00 pm > Fire show by the KumAnati troupe
Place des Plantagenets
11 December
SAINT-FLORENT-LE-VIEIL
From 4.00 pm > Market featuring craftspeople and designers
Abbey Cellars
From 5.30 pm > Farmers’ market, with food available on site
Place d’Armes
From 5.30 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
At 6 pm > Musical procession through the narrow streets
Starting from the Place d’Armes
At 7.00 pm > ‘Exp Low’ show by the Compagnie Capitaine Kwan – a light juggling show enhanced with magic
On the forecourt of the abbey church
At 7.30 pm > Musical entertainment
Place d’Armes
11 December
MONTREUIL-BELLAY
At dusk > Candlelit illumination of the town
At 7.00 pm > The Fires of Beltaine by the TAPROBANE theatre company – Free
Place des Ormeaux
12 December
MONTREUIL-BELLAY
From 10.00 am to 8.00 pm > Christmas festivities
Gourmet and craft market (artists and producers), magic shows and storytelling, fun and magical activities suitable for the whole family.
At 4.00 pm > Arrival of Father Christmas
At 7.00 pm > Musical show with the Pili Pili theatre company – Free
Esplanade François Mitterrand
12 December
LE COUDRAY MACOUARD
From 10.00 am to 9.00 pm > Christmas market
Parc des Sports – Petit Bois
From 5.00 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
At 6.45 pm > Lantern parade for children
From the Christmas market to the performance venue
At 7.00 pm > Kum Kum theatre company – ‘Kumanti’ show (light and fire juggling, fireworks)
La Seigneurie du Bois
12 December
BÉHUARD
From 2.30 pm > Christmas Market
Church Square
From 6.00 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
At 7.00 pm > ‘Exp Low’ show by the Capitaine Kwan Company – A light juggling show enhanced with magic
Church Square
12 December
POUANCÉ
From 10.30 am > Christmas market
Place de la République / Rue de la Libération
From 10.30 am to 6.30 pm > Exhibition by visual artists – Atelier Legault
Place de la République
At 11.00 am > Christmas parade followed by a Christmas show
Starting from Mr Bricolage Relais / Place de la République
At 1.00 pm > Singing by pupils from state schools
Place de la République
At 2.30 pm > Street performance by the Jacqueline CAMBOUIS Company, ‘Fanfare Noël Givré’ ’
Place de la République
At 3.00 pm > Christmas parade followed by a Christmas show
Starting from the Résidence du Parc / Place de la République
At 5.30 pm > Street performance by the Jacqueline CAMBOUIS troupe, ‘Fanfare Noël Givré’
At 7.30 pm > Concert
Grand Café du Commerce
18 December
BLAISON-GOHIER
At dusk > Candlelit illumination of the town
From 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm > Christmas market
Rue de la Grange aux Dimes
At 6.00 pm > Children’s carol singing
Town Hall
6.15 pm to 6.45 pm > ‘Folie Douce’ illuminated stilt walk by the Famille Pénichilinne theatre company
Starting from Place Saint Aubin
7.00 pm to 7.45 pm > Storytelling for children (registration required)
At 8.00 pm > Arrival of Father Christmas
Cœur de Cité
From 8.15 pm to 8.45 pm > ‘Folie Douce’ illuminated stilt walk by the Famille Pénichilinne theatre company
Cœur de Cité, Rue de la Grange aux Dimes and Place Saint Aubin
All evening > Entertainment, food and drinks provided by local organisations, with local winegrowers in attendance
Rue de la Grange aux Dimes and Place Saint Aubin
18 December
LE PUY NOTRE DAME
From 6.00 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
From 6.00 pm > Nativity scene exhibition
Collegiate Church of Le Puy-Notre-Dame
From 6.30 pm > Light refreshments: mulled wine, crêpes, tarts and hot chestnuts
Rue des Hôtels, next to the collegiate church
At 7.30 pm > Kum Kum Company – ‘KumKum Goa’ show (juggling, fire, humour and poetry)
Rue des Hôtels, next to the collegiate church
19 December
INGRANDES – LE FRESNE SUR LOIRE
From 5.30 pm > Candlelit illumination of the town
Square d’Halgouët
From 5.30 pm to 11 pm > Market of Flavours and Craftsmanship.
Food trucks and refreshments, live music
Church Square
At 6.00 pm > Santa Claus arrives by boat, followed by a stroll through the town and photo opportunities with Santa
From the church jetty to Square d’Halgouët
At 7.00 pm > ‘Au Fil de L’Eau’ choir on the church forecourt
Church forecourt
At 7.30 pm > Kum Kum Company – ‘Kumanti’ show (light and fire juggling, fireworks)
Church forecourt, church steps and Halgouët Square
From 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm > ‘Basic Colors’ – Gospel singing whilst walking through the crowd (15–20 mins)
Church forecourt, church steps and Halgouët Square
At 9.30 pm > ‘Basic Colors’ – Final gospel singing
Church Square
19 December
BAUGÉ
From 5.30 pm > Christmas carols in front of Baugé Church
Followed by a procession through the streets of Baugé,
Starting at Baugé Church
Illumination of the town using candles
At 6.00 pm > Christmas carols and a Christmas story
Place de l’Europe
Followed by the ‘Elixir Duo’ fire show by the SPECTRA company
Place de l’Europe – in front of the castle
20 December
CUNAULT
From 4.00 pm > Theatrical opening
Place Victor Dialand
At 5.00 pm > Concert by a choir (60 singers)
Cunault Priory
From 6.00 pm > Candlelit illumination of Place Dialand
At 6.30 pm > Compagnie Luminescence, ‘Cirk’N Swing’ show (light show)
Place Dialand
20 December
SAVENNIÈRES
From 8.00 am to 1.00 pm > Savennières Market (local producers and greengrocers)
Cœur de Cité
From 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm > Christmas market with musical entertainment
Rue Duboys d’Angers and Place de l’Église
From 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm/9.00 pm > Illuminations at the Church of Saint Pierre and Saint Romain
From 5.00 pm > ‘Mise en Lumière’ in the town centre: candles and torches
At 6.00 pm > Compagnie Taprobane, a procession of Steampunk Elves (fire show)
Place de l’Église
Openings
Du 27 November 2026 au 20 December 2026 –
Pictures
Location