In two weeks’ time, on the 21st June, the whole of France will erupt in musical splendour to celebrate the first day of summer. The Fête de la Musique is a free celebration of, well, music (the clue is in the name!) and sees the country spill out onto its streets to enjoy plenty of sweet-sounding entertainment. Initiating in Paris in 1982, the festival has now spread not only throughout France but internationally too, with celebrations happening in over 120 countries around the world!

Here in France, we celebrate the Fête de la Musique like no other, with free gigs, concerts and performances on offer across the country. Whether in theatres, pubs, parks or on street corners, come the 21st June 2016, France will sing loud for all to hear. As all music during the Fête de la Musique is free, there will also be bands and artists volunteering to play in hospitals and museums. This celebration is really about making music accessible to all.

Many of the celebrations are in Paris, where the festival itself began 34 years ago. You won’t be able to walk the streets without discovering a band striking up or a singer with a mic. So we suggest finding a good seat on a pavement bar, ordering a refreshing apéro, and then just try to resist tapping those toes!

 

Our musical hometown

In Chambery, where the Madame Vacances team is based, we will be celebrating the Fête de la Musique with sets by Sophie Tapie, Julie Bally and Fahro in Antonin Dubost. As well as these headliners, there will be an Italian parade, country, honky tonk and DJ sets. In nearby Voiron, we’ll be enjoying an evening of rock and metal from SupeCherry8, Blackdust and Kerosene. In Fontaine we’ll be seeking out classical strains, with accordion, orchestra, jazz and electronic that will be setting the mountains alight.

If that sounds right up your street, we have a great property in Chambery, so why not join us for a night of revels in our beautiful French Alps!

 

Let them play music

In the beautiful Vendée, where we have several properties, the Fête de la Musique will be celebrating with acoustic music, ballet, DJ sets, blues, jazz, and much much more.

In Valenciennes in the North of France, get ready for classical, pop rock and dancing, while in the South of France, Montpellier will be enjoying classical and operatic events, and Perpignan will be putting on a huge display of music, with over 20 venues alone participating.

If enjoying a tipple or two while you watch is important, we recommend the Aquitaine coast, home to Bordeaux – need we say more? In this region, there will be a huge range of music, from rock and pop to rockabilly swing and acoustic.

As a national (and even worldwide) celebration, wherever you go in France you are guaranteed a highly memorable, lively, and of course, musical day. People will be celebrating in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Istanbul, America, Guadeloupe, Africa, Turkey, Japan and Russia, so we think it seems a shame for those in the UK to miss out! France is just a short hop over the Channel, and we have availability at our properties all around the country. Seize your spontaneity!

 

What the Fête de la Musique means to the Madame Vacances team

Clément (Design Project Manager)

Last year I was with friends in Bordeaux and we went after work for a drink on “Les quais des Chartrons” next to the Garonne river. The sunny weather made it an ideal place to enjoy the atmosphere and the bands.

With good vibes, the Fête de la Musique is always a good a time, spent walking around with my girlfriend and friends. This year will be my first Fête de la Musique in Chambery so I’ll have a look at what is happening in the various ski resorts!  

 

Bianca (Digital Project Manager)

I was in Annecy for my last Fête de la Musique. We went to some bars, enjoying free live music, drinking some beers, and generally having fun with other people that we met. It’s an opportunity to have a party and meet people on the first summer’s day.

This year I plan to go to Marseille, as the scheduled artists are really good. To begin summer, nothing’s better than live music near the Mediterranean Sea!

 

Bastien (Webmaster Editor)

Last year’s Fête de la Musique was one of my favourites. I was in Sète, a small city close to Agde in Languedoc Roussillon. I was with my uni friends and we enjoyed walking in the city listening to bands and stopping off in bars. Sète is a city at the water’s edge, so we finished the party on the beach listening to a rock band.

This year I will be in Grenoble, and I hope it will be a sunny evening for enjoying a few beers in the street accompanied by good musical moments!

 

More information on the Fête de la Musique can be found on the official website.