Toques et Clochers is one of the wine festivals that anchors the Languedoc-Roussillon calendar, drawing both local visitors and international wine travellers each year. It is held at Host village rotates; 2026 in Bouriège (Limoux AOC) in Aude (11), in the heart of one of France's most distinctive wine areas. The festival has been running since 1990 and reaches its 37th edition in 2026, giving it one of the longer track records among French wine events of its kind.
~30,000 visitors. Charity Chardonnay barrel auction funds restoration of village churches (30+ restored to date). Michelin-starred chef gala dinner; auction led by award-winning sommelier. 4 Limoux terroirs showcased: Méditerranéen, Autan, Océanique, Haute-Vallée. Charity wine auctions in France carry an unusual gravity, mixing serious commerce with public ceremony. The bidding draws international buyers, importers and journalists alongside local producers and visitors who attend for the wider weekend programme of tastings, public events and traditional banquets that surround the auction itself. Ticket holders can expect to move between formal sale halls, public tasting tents and the cellars of participating producers across the wider area. The event is organised by Vignerons du Sieur d'Arques (cooperative), which sets the tone and direction of the programme each year.
Languedoc-Roussillon is France's largest wine region by volume, with a strong shift over the past two decades toward terroir-driven reds from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, plus the sparkling Blanquette and Cremant de Limoux from the foothills of the Pyrenees. The appellation map is dense — Picpoul de Pinet, Faugeres, Saint-Chinian, Minervois, Corbieres, Fitou, Banyuls and Maury for sweet vins doux naturels, plus the broader AOP Languedoc covering much of the coastline. Montpellier sits as the regional wine capital, hosting both major trade fairs and public festivals each year.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for 11 April 2026 (Palm Sunday weekend). Entry is free, with optional paid tasting passes or guided sessions available on site. Full programme, ticketing and updated information are published on the official site at limouxin-tourisme.com/discover/live-the-effervescence/heritage-celebrations/toques-et-clochers. Visitors are advised to check directly with the organiser for the latest schedule, as French festival programmes are sometimes updated close to the event date.
Languedoc-Roussillon is accessible via Montpellier, Beziers, Perpignan or Carcassonne, all linked by high-speed train. Festival visits combine well with the Canal du Midi, the medieval cite of Carcassonne, the Roman remains of Nimes, and the coastal lagoons around Bouzigues and Sete. Local food includes Picpoul de Pinet with shellfish from the Etang de Thau, cassoulet, anchois de Collioure and the saffron-driven seafood stews of Catalan cooking. The wine route runs deep into the Cevennes, the Corbieres and the Pyrenees.
