Aux Heures d'Été — Festival of cultures from here and elsewhere

Aux Heures d'Été: World Cultures Celebrate in Nantes

Since 2005, the Aux Heures d'Été festival has illuminated Nantes' summer by taking over the city's parks, gardens, and squares to offer around fifty free performances over five weeks. Supported by the Association culturelle de l'été (ACE), this world music festival makes intercultural dialogue its guiding principle, inviting the public to take their time, be surprised, and listen to the world with their feet in the grass.

A Program Open to the World

Aux Heures d'Été offers a program resolutely focused on contemporary world cultures. From African music to Latin American sounds, including Mediterranean and Asian influences, the festival offers a true musical world tour where traditions and contemporary creations intersect. Each edition explores a particular theme: in 2024, for its 20th edition, the festival celebrated "World Rituals", highlighting ceremonies, celebrations, and ritual practices from different cultures.

Nantes' Iconic Venues

The festival unfolds in several remarkable sites in Nantes city center. The moats of the Château des ducs de Bretagne are the main venue for concerts, hosting musical evenings every Tuesday and Thursday evening in an exceptional historical setting. The Jardin des Plantes offers shows for young audiences, readings, and open-air cinema screenings. The cours Cambronne, the tour Lu, the Jardin des Fonderies, and other green spaces complete this festival geography, making the entire city an open stage.

A Free Festival Accessible to All

One of Aux Heures d'Été's hallmarks is its total freeness. All events—concerts, children's shows, film screenings, readings—are offered free of charge, allowing as many people as possible to discover world cultures. This accessibility policy, maintained since the first edition, makes the festival a true tool for cultural democratization and social cohesion.

The Association culturelle de l'été

The Association culturelle de l'été (ACE), based at 10 allée Duquesne in Nantes, is the driving force behind the festival. It also organizes Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre, a jazz and classic boat festival, and Débord de Loire, a nautical and artistic event along the Loire River. ACE works year-round to promote cultural diffusion in public spaces, with the aim of providing the widest possible audience access to cultural activities and contributing to Nantes' influence.

Growing Success

Since its first edition in 2005, Aux Heures d'Été has continued to grow. The 21st edition in 2025 set a record with 140 artists programmed, confirming the enthusiasm of the Nantes public for this unmissable summer event. The festival has reinvented itself over the years, expanding its program while retaining its identity as a world music festival, free and rooted in the city's green spaces.