To make summer last a little longer, the town of Fontainebleau is revamping its patron saint’s festival and staging it in a setting that’s hard to beat: the The Castle’s Grand Canal. Le Sunday 30 August 2026, from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm, the Fête de la Saint-Louis brings the great festivals of yesteryear back to life – on the water, on the grass and, above all, as a family. Free admission, and food trucks on site from 10 am to 9 pm for those who haven’t brought a shopping basket.
From 10.00 am to 1.00 pm, then 2.00 pm to 9.00 pm, we board the pedalos suitable for all ages, allowing you to view the canal from the centre, and two water rollers round off the range for those who prefer to walk on water rather than cycle on it.
From 1.30 pm to 6.00 pm, over to water sports the jousters of Saint-Mammès. Skill, folklore and competitive spirit: the tradition has been kept alive since 1884 at the confluence of the Seine and the Loing, and for the occasion it is travelling along the Le Nôtre Canal.
The merry-go-round at swings from the 1920s and 1930s, made of metal and wood, features a row of six colourful boats that rise up to 4 metres As for height: it’s up to the parents to encourage their children. Right next to it, the freefall onto an airbag offers a platform for 10 metres and a choice of several jump heights, accessible from 1 metre, making it one of the few thrill rides open to younger children.
The City’s Sports Department runs an outdoor area offering free taster sessions in badminton and at table tennis, with no registration required and no minimum level required.
From 10.00 am to 9.00 pm, the exhibition The Magic of the Wind installs an aerial installation on the ground, measuring over 900 decorative elements : weather vanes, rotating hot-air balloons, themed wind turbines, 3D wind socks and metallic wind-powered games. A setting that comes to life throughout the day, moving with the breeze from the canal.
At the same time, the’kite-making workshop open from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 9.00 pm, by groups of 10 for 15-minute sessions. You take yours home with you.
From 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, the heritage segment takes place at the The château’s Grand Parterre, on the side of the Pavillon de Sully : re-enactors bring to life St Louis and his era, set to music with the Diapason Duo. The sequence ends with the induction ceremony for the Confrérie du Brie de Melun, a delicious nod to the heritage of Seine-et-Marne, which is perfectly at home here.
At the crossroads of music, street theatre and improvisation, the theatrical brass band The Grooms moves amongst the audience for two rounds of 45 minutes, at 3.30 pm and 6 pm. She performs less for the audience than with them: it’s best not to stand too far away if you want to enjoy the show.
From 18h30the a picnic in white and gold sets up shop on the banks of the Grand Canal. There’s no strict dress code, but it really sets the scene for that end-of-day photo: white and gold. You can bring your own basket or pick something from the food trucks.
From 7 pm to 9 pmthe open-air dance is led by the quintet Sunny Side (double bass, guitar, drums, saxophone and a singer). Between dances, at 7.00 pm and 8.15 pm, the Les Arlequins theatre company presents Fantastic murals : a sculptor creates bespoke human sculptures live, interacting with the public. Throughout the day, the painters Jeannine Flower and François Bhavsar capture life along the canal on their easels.
The Grand Canal is a truly exceptional site: we take our rubbish home with us. The dismantling of the installations will begin gradually from 9.30 pm.
By municipal order, the Driving and parking are prohibited on Sunday 30 August from 6.00 am to 12.30 am Rue Paul Séramy (the section between Rue d’Avon and Place du Bois d’Hyver), Place du Bois d’Hyver and Avenue des Cascades. The spaces on Avenue des Cascades, near the Médaille Militaire junction, will be reserved for authorised vehicles from 4.00 pm on Saturday 29 August until 12.30 am on Sunday 30 August. The easiest way to get there is on foot or by bike.
The official programme and the traffic order are published on the ‘Fête de la Saint-Louis’ page on the City of Fontainebleau’s website.
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