Les Compagnons de La Claire Fontaine

Folk dancers from Western France

Founded in 1945 by Guy CASTEUBLE, the “Les Compagnons de la Claire Fontaine” group gathers men and women with a common interest in French music and dance. Their show highlights the folk traditions of a part of French that extends from the Atlantic coast of Vendée through to Poitou.

Folk Dancers from the La Vienne Region of France

French Folk Dancers

Their live band of musicians include accordions, violins, flutes and hurdy-gurdy. The styles of dances that they have choreographed combine circles, waltzes, French folk dances (bourrées, maraîchines, avant-deux), mazurkas, Scottish dances and polkas.

A four-part choir have a wide variety of songs that blend humour with the work, joys and sorrows of life in the nineteenth century.

French folk dancers come to Cork

Folk Dancers from France in Costume

For over sixty years, they have performed all over Europe, Tunisia, Lebanon and Louisiana in the USA, wearing the work costumes, ceremonial dress and the head-dress of each region.

There are long standing twinning links between the La Vienne Region in France, where Les Compagnons de La Claire Fontaine live and County Cork. Their trip here is continuing to strengthen this bond.