Albret Jazz Festival
The jazz festival of the Pays d'Albret in the heart of Nérac
About Albret Jazz Festival
A jazz festival in the heart of Pays d'Albret
The Albret Jazz Festival is the flagship musical event of the start of the season in Lot-et-Garonne. Every year, on the second weekend of September, the Parc de la Garenne in Nérac is transformed into a green setting dedicated to jazz and its related music. For three days, the festival hosts about fifteen concerts on two stages, bringing together nationally and internationally renowned artists.
From Albret Jazz Sessions to Albret Jazz Festival
The adventure began in 2017 under the name Albret Jazz Sessions. At the time, concerts were held outdoors in the castles of the Pays d'Albret, combining jazz music and the architectural heritage of the region. In 2021, after four traveling editions, the festival was renewed and took the name Albret Jazz Festival, establishing itself permanently in the historic Parc de la Garenne, in the heart of the town of Nérac. The artistic direction was entrusted to Didier Bergen, who infused new energy into the event.
An eclectic and demanding program
The Albret Jazz Festival's program is open to the many facets of jazz and its influences:
- Jazz in all its forms, from swing to contemporary jazz
- Blues, the roots of jazz
- Soul and funk, for groovy sounds
- Vocals and brass, highlighting vocal talents and brass ensembles
Over the years, the festival has hosted top artists such as Manu Katché, Thomas Dutronc, Terez Montcalm, Judith Hill, Veronica Swift, and Crazy Dolls and The Bollocks. The program mixes headliners and discoveries, offering the public a rich and varied panorama of current jazz music.
Parc de la Garenne, an exceptional setting
The Parc de la Garenne is one of the oldest public gardens in France, created in the 16th century on the initiative of King Henri IV, who spent part of his youth in Nérac. This historic park, bordered by the Baïse river, offers a green and romantic setting ideal for an outdoor festival. The festival's two stages are harmoniously integrated into this tree-lined environment, creating an intimate and warm atmosphere conducive to music.
Two stages for a complete musical experience
The festival has two stages that operate alternately, allowing concerts to follow one another without interruption. This setup ensures continuous musical immersion from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with concerts starting in the late morning and continuing into the evening.
An event supported by the territory
The Albret Jazz Festival is organized by the Albret Tourist Office in partnership with the Communauté de Communes Albret Communauté. This strong territorial anchoring makes the festival a true tool for cultural and tourist development of the Pays d'Albret, attracting a loyal audience and new visitors to this beautiful region of the Southwest every year.
Albret Jazz Festival — edition 2026
6th edition of the Albret Jazz Festival, from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13, 2026, in the Parc de la Garenne in Nérac (Lot-et-Garonne). Three days of jazz, blues, soul, funk, and world music, with about fifteen concerts on two stages and more than 5,000 spectators expected. Headliners for 2026: André Manoukian Quartet, Kid Créole and the Coconuts, and Yuri Buenaventura.
A 6th edition in the heart of Albret
From September 11 to 13, 2026, the Parc de la Garenne in Nérac hosts the 6th edition of the Albret Jazz Festival. For three days, the historic park transforms into a green setting dedicated to jazz and its related music (blues, soul, funk, vocals, brass, hip-hop), with about fifteen concerts spread across two stages: the Théâtre de Verdure (main concerts) and the Village des Saveurs, which highlights emerging artists and about fifteen local producers. The festival, which attracts more than 5,000 spectators each year, is organized by Albret Tourisme and Albret Communauté, under the artistic direction of Didier Bergen.
An eclectic program
The 2026 edition mixes international headliners and discoveries: pianist André Manoukian, historical patron of the festival, returns with his quartet to present « La Sultane »; the New York group Kid Créole and the Coconuts brings its blend of salsa, funk, and pop; and the Colombian Yuri Buenaventura makes his comeback with his album « Amame ». The program also opens up to young talents and regional groups, in a spirit of artistic quality and conviviality.
Programme Albret Jazz Festival 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
- Lila-May — Village des Saveurs · young artist blending jazz and pop
- Katarina Pejak — Théâtre de Verdure · Serbian pianist with refined blues-folk
- André Manoukian Quartet — Théâtre de Verdure · « La Sultane » project, with Armenian roots
- DJ Balatman — Purple Night (tribute to Prince)
Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Albret Music School (morning)
- Beavers — bluegrass trio
- Alex Grenier — jazz-funk
- Le Barda Trio — western rock
- Bum Betty — vintage swing
- RIO 77 — samba-jazz
- Kid Créole and the Coconuts — Théâtre de Verdure · New York salsa-funk-pop
- DJ Balatman — Tropical Groove set
Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Jazz Bicravers — Village des Saveurs · gypsy jazz in the spirit of Django Reinhardt
- Ina Forsman — Théâtre de Verdure · Berlin-based soul artist
- Yuri Buenaventura — Théâtre de Verdure · album « Amame »
Program subject to change. Detailed schedules can be found on the official festival website.
Highlights Albret Jazz Festival 2026
- André Manoukian Quartet presents « La Sultane »
- Kid Créole and the Coconuts (New York salsa-funk-pop)
- Yuri Buenaventura, back with « Amame »
- Two stages: Théâtre de Verdure and Village des Saveurs
- Village des Saveurs with about fifteen local producers
Prices Albret Jazz Festival 2026
Practical information — Albret Jazz Festival
Festival Access
The festival takes place in the Parc de la Garenne, in the heart of Nérac (47600), along the Baïse river.
- By car: Nérac is accessible via the D930 from Agen (28 km, approximately 30 minutes) or via the D656 from Condom (22 km). Free parking available near the park.
- By train: The nearest train station is Agen (TGV line Paris-Bordeaux-Toulouse). From Agen, buses connect to Nérac.
- By plane: Agen-La Garenne airport (15 km) or Bordeaux-Mérignac airport (140 km).
Tickets
Tickets are available online on the Albret Tourist Office ticketing website or directly at the Tourist Office, Avenue Mondenard in Nérac. Accepted payment methods: credit card, cheques, cash, and holiday vouchers.
Prices
- 1-day Pass: from 35 €
- 2-day Pass: from 65 €
- 3-day Pass: 90 €
Food & Drink
Food stalls and a refreshment bar are available on the festival site throughout the event. The "Village des Saveurs" (Village of Flavours) also showcases about fifteen local producers.
Contact
Office de Tourisme de l'Albret
Avenue Mondenard
47600 Nérac
Phone: 05 53 65 27 75
Email: [email protected]
Volunteering
The festival welcomes volunteers to participate in its organisation. Contact: [email protected]
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Albret Jazz Festival
Parc de la Garenne
Parc de la Garenne, Nérac, 47600 Nérac