Barbara Festival
French chanson celebrated in Saint-Marcellin
About Barbara Festival
Created in 1999, the Barbara Festival pays homage each May to the great "dark lady" of French chanson, Barbara (Monique Serf, 1930-1997), who found refuge with her family in Saint-Marcellin between 1943 and 1945 to flee antisemitic persecution. This festival dedicated to singer-songwriters of French chanson features concerts by established and emerging artists, a "Coups de pouce" springboard competition, exhibitions, and a convivial Off festival, in several locations in the Sud-Grésivaudan region, including Le Diapason in Saint-Marcellin.
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The Barbara Festival: A Vibrant Homage to French Chanson
Since 2000, the town of Saint-Marcellin in Isère has paid tribute each May to "the tall dark lady" and, through her, to all of French chanson. Barbara, born Monique Serf (1930-1997), had an intimate connection with Saint-Marcellin: it was in this town in the Sud-Grésivaudan, at the foot of the Vercors, that her Jewish family found refuge between 1943 and 1945 to escape Nazi persecution during the Occupation. This childhood memory profoundly marked the artist, who immortalized it in her famous song Mon enfance (1968), describing "the town with flowered houses under the roses".
A Festival Rooted in the Territory
The Barbara Festival was created in 1999 by the municipality of Saint-Marcellin with a dual ambition: to honor Barbara's memory and promote contemporary French chanson creation. For over twenty-five years, the festival has established itself as a must-attend event for lovers of singer-songwriter music in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The event unfolds over several days at the end of May in various emblematic locations in the Sud-Grésivaudan: Le Diapason, a 600-seat performance hall in Saint-Marcellin, but also the Couvent des Carmes in Beauvoir-en-Royans and Le Grand Séchoir in Vinay. This territorial presence allows the festival to shine beyond the town of Saint-Marcellin and bring culture to life in the surrounding communities.
A Demanding and Generous Program
The Barbara Festival's programming blends headliners of French chanson with artistic discoveries. Over the years, major artists have graced the stage: Anne Sylvestre, Emily Loizeau, Vincent Delerm, Clarika, Carmen Maria Vega, La Grande Sophie, Les Hurlements de Léo, La Féline, Ours, and many others. Each evening at Le Diapason sells out, testifying to the public's enthusiasm for this event.
The "Coups de pouce" Springboard
One of the festival's unique features is its "Coups de pouce" springboard, which offers a showcase for emerging artists from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. These singer-songwriters are selected by a jury of music professionals and discerning music lovers. The winner benefits from programming at other festivals in the region, serving as a true springboard for their career.
A Multidisciplinary and Festive Festival
Beyond the concerts, the Barbara Festival offers an Off festival that enlivens the streets and squares of Saint-Marcellin with various activities: street performances, drawn concerts, wooden games, culinary stands, and a festive atmosphere. Exhibitions are also organized, highlighting Barbara's life and work through photographs, stage costumes, posters, and unpublished documents. The festival regularly involves local schools through musical educational projects, making this event a moment of intergenerational sharing.
In 2019, for the twentieth edition, a commemorative plaque was inaugurated at 9 rue du Mollard, the former home of the Serf family in Saint-Marcellin, forever sealing the link between the artist and the town.
Barbara Festival — edition 2026
The 26th edition of the Barbara Festival will take place from May 20 to 23, 2026, in Saint-Marcellin and the Sud-Grésivaudan. The festival will continue its mission of honoring Barbara and promoting French singer-songwriter music, with concerts at Le Diapason, the "Coups de pouce" springboard for emerging artists, exhibitions, and a festive and convivial Off festival.
26th Barbara Festival Edition - May 2026
The Barbara Festival returns for its 26th edition from May 20 to 23, 2026, in Saint-Marcellin and the Sud-Grésivaudan. For over a quarter of a century, this annual event has perpetuated the memory of Barbara and celebrated the vitality of contemporary French chanson at the foot of the Vercors.
As every year, the festival will offer a program blending established artists from the French chanson scene and artistic discoveries. Le Diapason, a 600-seat hall in the heart of Saint-Marcellin, will host the concert evenings, while other venues in the Sud-Grésivaudan—the Couvent des Carmes in Beauvoir-en-Royans and Le Grand Séchoir in Vinay—will complement the program with concerts and events in remarkable heritage settings.
The "Coups de pouce" springboard will once again offer a stage for young singer-songwriters from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, selected by a jury of music professionals. The winner will benefit from programming at other festivals in the region.
The Off festival will animate the streets of Saint-Marcellin with shows, musical entertainment, food stalls, and a festive atmosphere. Exhibitions will highlight Barbara's life and work, strengthening the memorial link between the artist and the town that protected her during the war.
The full program will be unveiled in the spring of 2026 on the websites of Le Diapason and the town of Saint-Marcellin.
Programme Barbara Festival 2026
Program for the 26th Edition
The detailed program will be announced in the spring of 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Concerts at Le Diapason: Evenings of French chanson with renowned artists and talents to discover
- "Coups de pouce" Springboard: Selection and spotlighting of emerging singer-songwriters from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
- Off-site Concerts: Performances at the Couvent des Carmes (Beauvoir-en-Royans) and Le Grand Séchoir (Vinay)
- Exhibitions: Tribute to Barbara, photographs, documents, and memorabilia
- Off Festival: Street entertainment, open-air concerts, shows, and food stalls in the town center of Saint-Marcellin
Highlights Barbara Festival 2026
To Note for 2026
- Dates: Wednesday, May 20 to Saturday, May 23, 2026
- 26th Edition of the festival dedicated to singer-songwriter French chanson
- "Coups de pouce" Springboard: Stage for young regional talents
- Venues: Le Diapason (Saint-Marcellin), Couvent des Carmes (Beauvoir-en-Royans), Le Grand Séchoir (Vinay)
- Full program to be announced in spring 2026
Prices Barbara Festival 2026
Practical information — Barbara Festival
Practical Information
Main Venue
The Barbara Festival primarily takes place at Le Diapason, the town's performance hall in Saint-Marcellin, located at the foot of the Vercors. Other venues in the Sud-Grésivaudan also host festival events: the Couvent des Carmes in Beauvoir-en-Royans and Le Grand Séchoir in Vinay.
Address: Le Diapason, 11 rue Jean Rony, 38160 Saint-Marcellin
Dates
The Barbara Festival is held annually at the end of May, over a period of three to five days. The precise dates are announced at the beginning of the year on the website of the town of Saint-Marcellin and the website of Le Diapason.
Ticketing and Prices
Tickets are available at the Le Diapason ticket office, by phone, or online at diapason-saint-marcellin.fr.
- Full price: approximately €25
- Reduced price: approximately €20 (students, 12-25 years old, seniors 65+, unemployed, large families)
- Subscriber price: approximately €19
- "Culture for all" and under 12s: approximately €9
- Pass Région, Pass Culture, and Tattoo card: accepted
Please note: one week before the performance, no reservations will be taken without immediate payment.
Some Off festival events are free and open to all.
Access
By car: Saint-Marcellin is located about 60 km southwest of Grenoble, accessible via the A49 motorway (Saint-Marcellin exit) then the D1092. Free parking near Le Diapason.
By train: Saint-Marcellin station is served by TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes trains on the Grenoble-Valence line. Allow about 45 minutes from Grenoble and 40 minutes from Valence.
By bus: Saint-Marcellin is accessible via regional bus lines of the Transisère network.
Accommodation
Saint-Marcellin and its surroundings offer various accommodation options: hotels, B&Bs, rural gites, and campsites. The Saint-Marcellin Vercors Isère tourist office can assist you in your accommodation search.
Contact
- Le Diapason Ticketing: 04 76 38 89 84
- Cultural Department: 04 76 38 81 20
- Postal address: Service Culturel, Hôtel de Ville, 21 Place d'Armes, 38160 Saint-Marcellin
- Ticketing E-mail: [email protected]
Practical Tips
- The external doors and ticket office of Le Diapason open one hour before each performance.
- Once you leave the venue, re-entry is not permitted.
- The Off festival in the town center is free to access: enjoy the entertainment, street performances, and food stalls.
- Remember to book your tickets in advance, as evenings at Le Diapason often sell out.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Barbara Festival at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Barbara Festival
Le Diapason
11 rue Jean Rony, 38160 Saint-Marcellin