Castelnaudary
Castelnaudary, the self-styled world capital of cassoulet: the Fête du Cassoulet each August (19 to 23 August in 2026), free concerts, cassoulet dinners and the Canal du Midi.
At a glance
- Home of the Fête du Cassoulet, five days in August
- The town calls itself the world capital of cassoulet
- More than 80,000 people came to the festival in 2025
- On the Canal du Midi, in the Lauragais
- 1food festival
Food festivals in Castelnaudary
Cadaques31, CC BY-SA
Map of Castelnaudary
What to taste in Castelnaudary
Cassoulet
Every restaurant in town serves it during the festival, says the organiser.
Salade lauragaise
The salad with foie gras that opened several of the festival dinners in 2026.
Cassoulet glacé
An iced dessert named after the dish, served at the 2026 gala dinner of the Grande Confrérie.
Castelnaudary calls itself the world capital of cassoulet, and each August it lives “for five days to the rhythm of cassoulet and music”, in the words of its festival. The town lies in the Lauragais, in the Aude, on the Canal du Midi between Toulouse and Carcassonne.
Castelnaudary, a town built around its dish
- The Grande Confrérie du Cassoulet: the brotherhood that defends the recipe and inducts its dignitaries at an annual chapter.
- The Collégiale Saint-Michel: the church where the cassole, the dish’s earthenware bowl, was blessed at the 2026 festival Mass.
- The Halle aux Grains: the old grain hall, where most of the 2026 festival dinners were served.
The Canal du Midi widens at Castelnaudary into a large basin, the Grand Bassin, where boats moor.
Where the festival happens
| Place | During the 2026 festival |
|---|---|
| Place de la République | Main stage, concerts until 2 am |
| Place de Verdun | Second stage, bal and bandas |
| Cours de la République | Craft, food and organic market |
| Quai du Port | Games on the canal |
The 2026 festival in five days
- Wednesday: the Ronde du Cassoulet race and the first dinner at the Halle aux Grains.
- Thursday: the official opening, the keys thrown before the Confrérie.
- Friday: the Confrérie’s 291st chapter at the Théâtre des 3 Ponts.
- Saturday: the cassoulet eating contest on the Place de la République.
- Sunday: the blessing of the cassole and the flower parade.
Before you go
- When: the Fête du Cassoulet is held in August (19 to 23 August in 2026). 2027 dates not yet published.
- Parking: free during the 2026 festival, says the organiser.
- Trains: Castelnaudary station is on the Toulouse to Carcassonne line.
- Airport: Toulouse-Blagnac is the nearest large airport.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Castelnaudary the capital of cassoulet?
It is the title the town gives itself, celebrated with a five-day festival and by the Grande Confrérie du Cassoulet, whose 291st chapter met in 2026.
When is the Fête du Cassoulet in Castelnaudary?
In August: from 19 to 23 August in 2026. The 2027 dates are not yet published.
Where to eat cassoulet in Castelnaudary?
During the festival, in all the town’s restaurants, says the organiser, and at the dinners of the Halle aux Grains.