Kouss Kouss Festival celebrates couscous heritage in France

The Kouss Kouss Festival is currently celebrating the cultural and culinary significance of couscous, featuring major events in Marseille and upcoming festivities in Paris.

In Marseille, the restaurant Le Femina is hosting a large-scale communal meal in the Noailles district as part of the festival. Chef Mustafa Kachetel is preparing a traditional barley semolina couscous using a multi-generational recipe that includes legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and beans, alongside Sisteron lamb. The event, which includes the temporary designation of Rue du Musée as ‘rue du Couscous’, features parades, singing, and culinary demonstrations.

Recognized as part of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage, couscous continues to evolve through various regional and modern interpretations. Beyond the Marseille festival, which involves over 200 culinary addresses, the Food Temple event in Paris is scheduled to highlight Moroccan cuisine in September 2026. Additionally, chef Abdel Alaoui has released ‘Couscous Connexions’, a book featuring 50 recipes that bridge traditional heritage with contemporary culinary creativity.