Académie-Festival de Musique des Arcs

The Académie-Festival des Arcs: Over Half a Century of Music at Altitude

The Académie-Festival de Musique des Arcs was born in 1973, in the wake of the development of the resort of Les Arcs, conceived by urban planner Charlotte Perriand and developer Roger Godino. From the very first years, the festival set itself an ambitious mission: to offer free concerts of classical chamber music in an exceptional mountain setting, at an altitude of 1,800 meters, and to provide a summer academy allowing young musicians to perfect their skills with recognized masters.

More than half a century later, under the artistic direction of Eric Crambes, the festival has lost none of its vitality. Every summer, during the second half of July, it brings together more than 60 international artists who give around forty concerts — all free — in the venues of the resort of Les Arcs and the villages of Haute-Tarentaise. The festival welcomes approximately 12,000 listeners per edition, confirming its attractiveness and its unique place in the French musical landscape.

Three Missions at the Heart of the Artistic Project

The Académie-Festival des Arcs is structured around three fundamental missions that have guided its programming and actions since its inception:

• Classical Music Accessible to All: The complete freeness of the concerts removes all barriers to access and reaches a wide audience, from the discerning music lover to the curious vacationer.
• Transmission of Knowledge: The summer academy hosts young instrumentalists who benefit from masterclasses and courses given by the festival's guest artists.
• Support for Contemporary Creation: Each year, a composer in residence receives a commission for a world premiere, the first performance of which is given during the festival.

2026 Edition: "Bridges — Classical and Jazz in Resonance"

The 53rd edition of the Académie-Festival des Arcs, scheduled from July 21 to 31, 2026, is set to the theme "Bridges: Classical and Jazz in Resonance". This edition will offer an unprecedented dialogue between classical music and jazz, exploring the stylistic bridges and cross-influences between these two musical worlds. A rich program of around forty free concerts, lectures, and concerts for young audiences will animate the resort and surrounding villages.

A Reach Beyond the Resort

Over the decades, the festival has extended its reach far beyond the resort of Les Arcs. Concerts are now given in the villages and towns of Haute-Tarentaise, contributing to the summer cultural life of the region and introducing classical music to audiences who might not otherwise have access to it.