Witches Festival in Pouyastruc saved after 300 caravans leave

Organizers of the Sorcières festival confirmed the event will proceed next weekend after approximately 300 caravans of travelers left the stadium in Pouyastruc. The travelers departed early Monday morning heading to Tournay. Their presence had previously threatened the festival, which is scheduled to welcome 500 children on Thursday. Organizers noted that the outdoor part of the festival, dismantled on Sunday evening, now needs to be reinstalled.

Nearly 300 caravans occupied a municipal field in Pouyastruc on Sunday, raising concerns for the Festival des Sorcières de l'Arros. However, the travelers left early Monday morning, allowing organizers to resume preparations for the fifth edition scheduled for June 18–21. The festival, founded in 2022, features four days of events with a raven theme, including school days and free public admission on the weekend.

Around 100 caravans arrived in La Crau on the afternoon of June 14, 2026, causing major traffic jams on local roads. The caravans set up near the Bastidette cemetery. Police were deployed to manage traffic, which cleared by evening. The municipality of La Crau announced it has initiated eviction proceedings.

Around 300 caravans arrived on municipal land in Pouyastruc on Sunday afternoon, parking on the rugby field near the community hall. The mayor requested gendarmes. Organizers of the Sorcières de l'Arros festival, scheduled for June 20–21 on the same site, fear the event may be compromised: 500 children are expected from Thursday, and if the caravans remain, the festival cannot proceed.

About 180 caravans of traveling community members occupied Courlans airfield on the afternoon of June 14. Community spokespersons stated they could not use the large transit area in Ruffey-sur-Seille because it was too small and recently filled. The caravans occupied the first 200 meters of the runway and surrounding areas, planning to stay for two weeks. The mayor of Courlans asked them to move away from the fuel zone and clear the runway.

On May 31, 2026, approximately 150 caravans of Travellers occupied the Fayence-Tourrettes airfield in the Var department. Mayor Olivier Baïlé stated that a temporary accommodation proposed by authorities on the southern part of the runway was rejected by the group, which then returned to the site used in previous years. This threatens the French gliding championship scheduled for June 16–20. The Pays de Fayence community of communes has not yet established an official large transit area, complicating eviction; authorities pledge to resolve the issue within 24 months.