Ballades en Novembre

A song festival in the heart of the village of Viarmes

In the north of Val-d'Oise, about thirty kilometers from Paris, the village of Viarmes has cultivated a unique tradition for over two decades: hosting artists of French and Francophone song for intimate concerts every November. Ballades en Novembre was born from the conviction that author song deserves to be defended and promoted, even in small towns, far from the big Parisian stages.

The festival is supported by the Town of Viarmes and its festival committee, with the support of the cultural affairs commission. This strong municipal involvement guarantees continuity and quality: the festival benefits from a stable framework and an organization honed over the editions. The Salle Saint-Louis, Viarmes' main multipurpose hall, hosts the concerts in an intimate atmosphere conducive to attentive listening.

A monthly event throughout November

The original structure of Ballades en Novembre is to spread the concerts over several Saturdays in November, transforming the darkest month of the year into a series of anticipated musical events. This format creates audience loyalty, with people returning week after week to discover new artists and to enjoy the warm atmosphere of the festival.

Each concert is an event in itself: the artist is at the center of the evening, in close proximity to the audience, allowing for an appreciation of the subtlety of the lyrics and the musical quality of the arrangements. The intimate format of the Salle Saint-Louis, with its moderate capacity, fosters these moments of communion between an artist and their audience. Tickets, at very affordable prices - around €12 to €15 - allow all families from the town and surrounding villages to participate.

A journey through French author song

The programming of Ballades en Novembre reflects a clear taste for demanding author song. The festival is not a venue for commercial hits or bland variety music, but for songs that have something to say, that play with words and melodies, that question and move. The artists programmed are often figures from the alternative French song scene, recognized by critics and appreciated by discerning audiences.

Among the artists who have graced the Viarmes stage over the years are Pigalle, a chanson-rock group with inimitable verve, RéMila, a female voice of Berber and Francophone song, the volcanic Carmen Maria Vega, the poetic and sensitive Yves Jamait, and the collective Debout sur le Zinc, a key figure in the folk song scene of the late 2000s. Each name represents a strong editorial commitment, a declaration of support for song as an art form in its own right.

Viarmes, a village of culture in Val-d'Oise

Viarmes is a small commune of about 4,500 inhabitants located in the Oise-Pays de France Regional Natural Park, at the interface between the Vexin plateau and the Chantilly forest. A rural but dynamic village, it benefits from a rich associative and cultural life, of which Ballades en Novembre is one of the most remarkable expressions. The festival contributes to the cultural influence of the commune, attracting visitors from all over the north of Val-d'Oise and even from neighboring Oise.