Saint-Paul-de-Vence Mountain Festival 2026: Three Days of Adventure, Outdoor Sports and Mountain Cinema

The mountains are not simply places to reach; they are worlds of adventure, discovery and challenges to be experienced and shared. This is the spirit behind the Mountain Festival, which will transform Saint-Paul-de-Vence, in the Alpes-Maritimes, into a meeting point for outdoor sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and adventure cinema fans from 20 to 22 November 2026.

For three days, the picturesque Provençal village will open its squares and cultural venues to a programme combining sporting activities, film screenings, meetings and environmental awareness initiatives. It will be an opportunity to discover the world of mountaineering through the experiences of internationally renowned climbers, while also trying out some of the disciplines associated with mountain sports.

Organised by the Festi’sports de Montagne association in partnership with the Municipality of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, this year’s festival will introduce several new features, including a virtual reality experience dedicated to Mont Blanc, a second-hand mountain equipment market, creative activities for younger visitors and a final day transforming the historic centre into a vast open-air sports arena.

From Patagonia to Pakistan: Mountaineering on the Big Screen

The festival will open on Friday, 20 November, at 6 pm with the inauguration of a climbing wall at the village’s primary school. A symbolic beginning that reflects the event’s central aim: making mountain activities more accessible and introducing younger generations to outdoor sports.

At 7.30 pm, the auditorium on Route des Serres will host the first film evening, taking audiences to some of the world’s most challenging mountain environments through three documentaries dedicated to international mountaineering.

The programme includes Cerro Torre, en Patagonie sur la voie Ferrari, featuring Benjamin Guigonnet and Fred Degoulet, which takes viewers into one of Patagonia’s most spectacular and demanding climbing environments.

This will be followed by Chimères patagones, a film focusing on women’s mountaineering on Cerro Torre, featuring Lise Billon, Fanny Schmutz and Maud Vanpoulle.

Completing the selection is The Queen Swing, featuring Kate Kelleghan and Laura Pineau as they take on the legendary Triple Crown.

Three different stories, united by a passion for exploration, determination and the desire to push personal boundaries.

Tickets for the screening cost €8 and can be booked through the HelloAsso platform.

Saturday: Virtual Reality, Nature and Creativity

Saturday, 21 November, will focus on discovering the natural environment through experiences combining technology, outdoor exploration and creative activities.

From 10 am, the Saint-Paul-de-Vence media library will offer an immersive virtual reality journey across Mont Blanc, allowing visitors to explore one of Europe’s most iconic mountain landscapes.

At the same time, the Tourist Office will organise a guided nature walk, with registration required, offering participants the opportunity to discover the area’s natural heritage.

In the afternoon, activities will move to the auditorium’s rooftop terrace and the media library. Highlights will include a second-hand ski and mountain equipment market, a free environmental workshop for children and an introduction to manga drawing.

These activities will broaden the festival’s appeal, welcoming visitors who wish to discover mountain culture through creative experiences and shared activities.

The day will conclude with a second film evening at 7 pm. The programme features La chèvre d’Hispar, a mountaineering adventure set in Pakistan with Hélias Milleroux, and Par Monts et par soi, a journey along the HexaTrek with Suzel Tuybens and Mateo Houyel.

During the interval, visitors will also be able to enjoy a refreshment area offering mountain-inspired specialities.

Tickets for this screening also cost €8, with advance booking through HelloAsso.

Sunday, 22 November: Saint-Paul-de-Vence Becomes an Open-Air Playground

The festival’s most dynamic and participatory day will take place on Sunday, 22 November, when Place Charles-de-Gaulle and Place de la Courtine will be transformed into a large outdoor space dedicated to mountain sports.

From 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, residents and visitors will be invited to try a range of activities designed to introduce audiences to outdoor disciplines and offer a taste of the excitement of mountain adventures.

Among the attractions will be a giant zip line, abseiling experiences along the village ramparts, climbing activities and slacklining challenges. The programme will also include mountain rescue demonstrations, an escape game, quizzes and workshops exploring plants and crystals.

Information stands and refreshment areas will complete the programme, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the historic centre.

Sport and Inclusion: Making the Mountains Accessible to Everyone

One of the most important features of the 2026 edition will be its focus on accessibility and the participation of people with disabilities.

Thanks to a partnership with Handisports 06, a qualified support professional will be present throughout Sunday’s programme to facilitate participation and help make the festival’s activities accessible to a wider audience.

This initiative highlights the deeper meaning of sport as an opportunity for connection, independence and shared experiences, helping to overcome physical and social barriers.

Admission to Sunday’s activities will be free, making the programme particularly appealing to families and anyone looking to spend time outdoors while discovering new sporting disciplines.

A Festival Celebrating Every Aspect of Mountain Life

With its wide-ranging programme, the Saint-Paul-de-Vence Mountain Festival goes beyond the promotion of outdoor sports. Cinema, adventure, environmental education, technology and inclusion come together to celebrate a relationship with nature based on curiosity, respect and the desire to explore.

For three days, the mountains will symbolically descend from their peaks to meet visitors in the heart of one of the French Riviera’s most picturesque villages.

An invitation to mountaineers, sports enthusiasts, families and curious visitors alike to discover that the spirit of adventure can be experienced at any age and, above all, shared by everyone.