Festival³ (Festival cubed)

Three Countries, One Bridge, One Festival

The Moselle bridge between Apach (France), Perl (Saarland), and Schengen (Luxembourg) is more than just a traffic link – it's one of the most tangible symbols of a borderless Europe. A few kilometers away stands the famous Schengen Monument, where the Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985, paving the way for open borders across most of Europe.

The Festival³ (Festival cubed) translates this symbolism into a tangible folk festival (Volksfest): a day when the bridge is closed, stalls stretch across all three countries, music from three languages can be heard, and the border becomes completely invisible for a few hours. The organizer is the i³ – European Economic Interest Grouping, an association of twelve municipalities from the Saarland district of Merzig-Wadern, the French Pays de Sierck, and the Luxembourgish Visit Remich network.

Twelve Municipalities, Three Countries

The i³ municipalities are: Apach, Contz-les-Bains, Rettel, Rustroff, Sierck-les-Bains (France), Perl, Merzig, Mettlach (Germany), and Schengen, Remich, Dalheim, Mondorf-les-Bains (Luxembourg). Each municipality is represented with stalls, clubs, vintners, and restaurateurs. The diversity is immense – Moselle Riesling, Saar Crémant, Luxembourgish classics, Lorraine plum cake (Zwetschgenkuchen), all side-by-side.

Program of Music, Wine, and Culture

Throughout the festival day, the following take place:

• Concerts on several regional stages – folk music, pop, jazz, often featuring bands from the three countries
• Wine tastings with Moselle and Saar vintners (Perl is home to the only Saarland wine region, the "Schengener Lay")
• Arts and crafts stalls from the three countries
• Culinary delights from three cuisines: German Currywurst alongside French Tarte flambée alongside Luxembourgish Bouneschlupp
• Family entertainment: children's areas, club demonstrations, horse-drawn carriages

Free Admission, Clear Message

The festival is free to enter – this is intentional: there should be no entry barrier for a festival celebrating the idea of Europe on a small scale. The third edition in 2026 builds on the successful editions of 2022 (premiere) and 2024.

In the Saar Loop Region

Visitors to the festival are right in the heart of the Saar Loop region – perhaps the most spectacular landscape in Saarland. The famous Saar Loop near Mettlach, the Villeroy & Boch factories, the Roman sites of Borg, the Saarland wine region on the Moselle: all within a maximum 30-minute drive. A perfect occasion for a weekend trip to the tri-border area.