Altitude Jazz Festival
Jazz that takes to new heights in the Briançonnais
About Altitude Jazz
Created in 2007 by the association Les Décâblés, the Altitude Jazz Festival is a unique winter event dedicated to jazz and contemporary music, in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes. For ten days in January, around forty concerts take place in twenty unusual venues in the Briançonnais region: thermal baths, Vauban fortifications, high-altitude restaurants, ski slopes, bars, and concert halls. With nearly half of the concerts free, the festival prioritizes discovery, emerging artists, and accessibility for all audiences.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Altitude Jazz at the best price.
Sponsored link
A unique mountain jazz festival since 2007
Since its creation in 2007, the Altitude Jazz Festival has established itself as a major cultural event in the Hautes-Alpes and one of the most unique jazz gatherings in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Supported by the association Les Décâblés – Bruit Blanc Musiques Actuelles, the festival offers ten days of music every January in the heart of winter, in the spectacular setting of the Briançonnais and the Serre Chevalier Vallée.
Jazz that goes in all directions
The artistic philosophy of the Altitude Jazz Festival is based on discovery, curiosity, and innovation. Far from conventional programming, the festival favors original and unclassifiable groups, oscillating between contemporary jazz, improvised music, world music, electronic music, brass bands, and current music. Each edition brings together around 150 musicians from the national and international scene for about forty concerts that explore all facets of jazz and its related music.
Extraordinary concert venues
One of the festival's signatures is the use of unusual and heritage sites as ephemeral stages. Concerts are held in about twenty locations spread across Briançon, Serre Chevalier, Névache, La Grave, L'Argentière-la-Bessée, Villard-Saint-Pancrace, Cervières, and Val-des-Prés. Among the most emblematic venues:
- The Collégiale Church Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Nicolas in Briançon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for the opening concerts
- Les Grands Bains du Monêtier, a thermal center where music resonates amidst the pools
- Le Théâtre du Briançonnais, the main venue for major evenings and the Jazz Club
- L'Échaillon, a high-altitude restaurant on the slopes of Serre Chevalier, for concerts with your feet in the snow
- The Vauban fortifications, libraries, bars, and cross-country ski starting points
A popular and accessible festival
The Altitude Jazz Festival stands out for its commitment to accessibility. Nearly half of the concerts are free, offered in bars (Before Bar, After Bar), on ski slopes (Hors Piste), and in various public places. Paid concerts range from 5 to 25 euros, with discounts for those under 26, job seekers, and recipients of minimum social benefits. A 10% discount is automatically applied when purchasing three or more concerts.
Educational and intergenerational component
The festival places great importance on cultural outreach and transmission. Masterclasses, workshops for young people (Jardin Sonore for toddlers, Le Petit Frankenstein, Boîte de Nuits, "Become an Orchestra Conductor" workshops), and school concerts allow younger audiences to discover jazz and live music. Screenings of musical documentaries complement this rich and diverse cultural program.
Memorable artists over the years
Throughout its nineteen editions, the Altitude Jazz Festival has hosted many talented artists. The 2024 edition (17th) notably featured Soweto Kinch, Ozma, Neue Grafik Ensemble, EYM Trio, and Da Cruz. The 18th edition (2025) brought together Brama, DJÉGO, Gauthier Toux, Human Pattern, Johnny Makam, and Lea Maria Fries. The 2026 edition (19th) highlights Yom and the Ceccaldi brothers for the opening, Radio Tutti, Guillaume Perret in a film-concert, Cabaret Contemporain, Pixvae, K.O.G Soundsystem, and Da Cruz.
Altitude Jazz — edition 2026
19th edition of the Altitude Jazz Festival, from January 15 to 24, 2026. Over 40 concerts in 25 venues with 150 artists. Opening by Yom and the Ceccaldi brothers at the Briançon Collegiate Church. Guillaume Perret in a film-concert, Cabaret Contemporain, Radio Tutti, Pixvae, K.O.G Soundsystem, and Da Cruz on the program.
19th edition: 40 concerts in 25 extraordinary venues
The 19th edition of the Altitude Jazz Festival takes place from January 15 to 24, 2026, with an exceptional program of over 40 concerts in 25 venues, bringing together 150 musicians. The festival once again takes over the most unusual spots in the Briançonnais for ten days of music in the heart of the Alpine winter.
Opening under the vaults of the Collegiate Church
The festival opens on Thursday, January 15, under the vaults of the Collégiale Church Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Nicolas in Briançon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the concert Le Rythme du Silence featuring clarinetist Yom and brothers Théo Ceccaldi (violin) and Valentin Ceccaldi (cello), in a dialogue between jazz and classical music.
Highlights of the edition
On Saturday, January 17, Da Cruz and Pixvae electrify L'Argentière-la-Bessée, followed by K.O.G Soundsystem for a dance party. The four Jazz Club evenings (January 19-22) at the Piano Bar of the Théâtre du Briançonnais feature Duo Brady, Alex Stuart, Aïda Diop, and The French Bastards in an intimate atmosphere. On Friday, January 23, the trio Deeplodocus takes over the Grands Bains du Monêtier for a concert in the thermal baths, while Radio Tutti and Le Mange Bal get the Salle du Dôme dancing.
Grand Finale
The closing day, January 24, begins on the slopes with St Lazare at L'Échaillon and Deeplodocus at the cross-country ski starting point in Val-des-Prés. In the evening, Guillaume Perret presents a film-concert at the Théâtre du Briançonnais, followed by Cabaret Contemporain and Babu Gartez to close the festival in style.
Young Audiences and Outreach
The young audience program includes Jardin Sonore (January 18), Le Petit Frankenstein (January 19), Boîte de Nuits (January 21-22), and workshops for writing and introductory dance. A vocal masterclass is offered with Aflama on January 17.
Programme Altitude Jazz 2026
Full 2026 Program
Thursday, January 15
- Jazzual Suspects — Before Bar, Bar la Collégiale (6:30 PM)
- Yom × Ceccaldi: Le Rythme du Silence — Opening, Collégiale Church (8:00 PM)
- Club Sandwich — After Bar, Bloc 27 (9:30 PM)
Friday, January 16
- Vinyl and Jazz Exhibition — Théâtre du Briançonnais and Social Center (free)
- Club Sandwich — Hors Piste, La Grave (7:00 PM)
- Lwanbé — Névache (8:00 PM)
- HabibiSly — Névache (9:30 PM)
Saturday, January 17
- Vocal Masterclass with Aflama — Villard-Saint-Pancrace (2:30 PM)
- Aflama — Villard-Saint-Pancrace (5:30 PM)
- Da Cruz — L'Argentière-la-Bessée (7:00 PM)
- Pixvae — L'Argentière-la-Bessée (9:00 PM)
- K.O.G Soundsystem — L'Argentière-la-Bessée (11:00 PM)
Sunday, January 18
- Jardin Sonore — Young Audience, Briançon (9:30 AM and 11:00 AM)
- Tchava Genza — Hors Piste, Vallouise (11:30 AM)
- Erotic Market Trio — Villard-Saint-Pancrace (6:00 PM)
- Film Soundtrack to a Coup d'État — Eden Studio Cinema (8:00 PM)
Monday, January 19
- Le Petit Frankenstein — Young Audience, Théâtre du Briançonnais (2:30 PM and 6:00 PM)
- Duo Brady — Jazz Club #1, Piano Bar (7:30 PM)
- Nokamoz — After Bar, Bar le Chazelay (9:30 PM)
Tuesday, January 20
- Writing Workshop with Duo Brady — Library (6:00 PM)
- Alex Stuart — Jazz Club #2, Piano Bar (7:30 PM)
- Electrò Faune — After Bar, Bar la Grotte (9:30 PM)
Wednesday, January 21
- Electrò Faune — Hors Piste, Cervières (12:30 PM)
- "Become an Orchestra Conductor" Workshop — Villeneuve Library (2:00 PM)
- Boîte de Nuits — Young Audience, Théâtre du Briançonnais (5:30 PM)
- Aïda Diop — Jazz Club #3, Piano Bar (7:30 PM)
- Radical Ronron — After Bar, Bar le Barboteur (9:30 PM)
Thursday, January 22
- Boîte de Nuits — School Screenings, Théâtre du Briançonnais (9:30 AM and 2:30 PM)
- The French Bastards — Jazz Club #4, Piano Bar (7:30 PM)
- Deeplodocus — After Bar, Pub La Chaumière (9:30 PM, free)
Friday, January 23
- Deeplodocus — Hors Piste, Grands Bains du Monêtier (5:00 PM)
- St Lazare — Before Bar, Bar Off Piste (6:30 PM)
- Dance Introduction by Radio Tutti — Salle du Dôme, Le Monêtier (6:30 PM)
- Radio Tutti — Salle du Dôme, Le Monêtier (8:00 PM)
- Le Mange Bal — Salle du Dôme, Le Monêtier (10:00 PM)
Saturday, January 24 — Closing
- St Lazare — Hors Piste, L'Échaillon (12:30 PM)
- Deeplodocus — Hors Piste, Val-des-Prés (12:30 PM)
- Amin El Aiedy & Zajazza — Contemporary Art Center (5:00 PM)
- PawPaw — Closing, Piano Bar (7:00 PM)
- Guillaume Perret — Film-Concert — Théâtre du Briançonnais (8:30 PM)
- Cabaret Contemporain — Closing, Piano Bar (10:00 PM)
- Babu Gartez — Closing, Piano Bar (11:30 PM)
Highlights Altitude Jazz 2026
- 19th edition with over 40 concerts in 25 venues over 10 days
- 150 musicians from the national and international jazz scene
- Opening by Yom and the Ceccaldi brothers at the Briançon Collegiate Church (UNESCO)
- Guillaume Perret in a film-concert for the closing
- Cabaret Contemporain and Babu Gartez on the closing night
- Deeplodocus in the thermal baths of Grands Bains du Monêtier
- Radio Tutti and Le Mange Bal at Salle du Dôme
- Da Cruz, Pixvae, and K.O.G Soundsystem in L'Argentière-la-Bessée
- 4 Jazz Club evenings at the Piano Bar of the Théâtre du Briançonnais
- 18 free concerts in bars and on ski slopes
- Hors Piste concerts at L'Échaillon on the Serre Chevalier slopes
- Young audience program: Jardin Sonore, Le Petit Frankenstein, Boîte de Nuits
Prices Altitude Jazz 2026
Practical information — Altitude Jazz
Access
The festival takes place in about twenty venues spread across Briançon, Serre Chevalier Vallée (Villeneuve, Le Monêtier-les-Bains), Névache, L'Argentière-la-Bessée, Villard-Saint-Pancrace, Cervières, La Grave, and Val-des-Prés. The main venue is the Théâtre du Briançonnais in Briançon.
- By car: Briançon is accessible via the N91 from Grenoble (2h) or via the Montgenèvre pass from Italy. From Gap, allow about 1h30 via the N94.
- By train: Briançon SNCF station, the terminus of the Alpine line from Valence, Grenoble, or Gap. Night train from Paris via Valence.
- Shuttles: Shuttles are organized to some outlying concert venues (Le Monêtier-les-Bains, L'Argentière-la-Bessée).
2026 Prices
- Main venues (Salle du Dôme, L'Argentière): €20 / €15 (reduced rate)
- Jazz Club and evenings (Névache, opening): €17 / €12 (reduced rate)
- Closing concert (Théâtre du Briançonnais): €25 / €20 (reduced rate)
- Intermediate concerts (Villard, Art Center): €10 / €7 (reduced rate)
- Jardin Sonore (toddlers): €5 (single rate)
- Free concerts: 18 free concerts (bars, ski slopes, After Bar, Before Bar, Hors Piste)
Discounts
- Reduced rate: under 26 years old, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, works councils, festival partners
- Volume discount: 10% automatic discount from the 3rd concert purchased
- Early bird offer: an additional 10% discount from the 1st concert (December 1st to January 8th)
Ticketing
Online booking on Billetweb. On-site ticket offices during the festival.
Contact
- Phone: 07 83 03 27 87 (voicemail checked once a week outside festival times)
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Association Les Décâblés – Centre Social Intercommunal, 35 rue Pasteur, 05100 Briançon
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Altitude Jazz at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Altitude Jazz
Divers lieux du Briançonnais et de Serre Chevalier Vallée
35 rue Pasteur, 05100 Briançon