FESTIVAL OF THE COUGOURDONS
MARCH 29, 2026 - FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM

GARDEN OF THE ARENAS OF CIMIEZ

The festival of one of the emblems of Nice culture, the cougourdon, a non-edible vegetable but used in many ways: in kitchen utensils, decoration or musical instruments.

The "Festin des courgourdons" takes its name from the market held on the church square in front of the monastery of Cimiez.

The "cougourdon" is the Nice name given to the fruit of a plant in the cucurbitaceae family.

This inedible vegetable, introduced to our region in the sixteenth century, was quickly adopted by the people of Nice for its own qualities: waterproof after drying in the sun, it is often used as a kitchen utensil.
Its original shapes inspire craftsmen. Often painted, it is also engraved with geometric patterns or interlacing giving it an aesthetic and decorative dimension.
The musicians also detect a strong musical potential in this atypical vegetable.

It continues to inspire musicians and artists from Nice who perpetuate and revisit the tradition of the "cougourdon".

Programme of the Festivities

10am-6pm Cimiez Arena Garden - Olive grove

Entertainment, dances, music from the County of Nice.

Stands of cougourdons and Nice products.

• 11:30 am: Visit of the exhibition on the cougourdons at the archaeological museum
• 12 p.m.: Reception
• 1 p.m.: The Out of Tune at Kazou - Choir
• 2:15 pm: La Ciamada Nissarda - Folk dance
• 3 p.m.: Pétadou World Championship hosted by Richard Cairaschi
• 3:45 pm: Nice la Belle - Folk dance
• 4:30 pm: Lou cairèu niçart - Folk dance
• 5 pm: Mai qu'Aco - Balèti