Revive the Rhône festival

Between 1926 and 2000, 34 Rhône festivals were organized, alternating between France (Marseille, Arles, Avignon, Lyon) and Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Sierre…).

These festivals have ambitious objectives, with a transnational and transdisciplinary focus.

They generally cover a number of aspects : economic (the inauguration of a bridge, river transport, tourism development, flood management and the correction of the Rhône…); scientific (with a congress bringing together researchers); cultural (exhibitions, shows, poster and text competitions); political (friendship between France and Switzerland, a celebration of the French-speaking world); popular (with celebrations and secular rituals linked to the symbolism of water).

After a 20-year absence, the Rhône festival was relaunched in 2024, with the aim of activating the symbol of the Rhône as a unifying element. The originality of the 35th Fêtes du Rhône 2024 project lies in highlighting a territory by associating three towns along the Valais Rhône: Monthey, where the scientific symposium will be held (September 5-6, 2024), Sion (with a major popular festival on September 8, 2024) and Visp (on September 7, 2024): the idea is to travel up the Rhône, from lake to glacier.