Blues en Loire
The blues in all its splendor on the banks of the Loire
About Blues en Loire
Blues en Loire: Nearly Forty Years of Blues on the Banks of the Loire
Every summer in mid-August, La Charité-sur-Loire vibrates to the rhythm of the blues. The Blues en Loire festival, supported by the association Le Chat Musiques, has become over the decades an unmissable event for blues lovers in Burgundy and far beyond.
A Festival Rooted in Heritage
What makes Blues en Loire unique is its exceptional setting. Concerts take place in historic locations: the cloister of the priory of La Charité-sur-Loire, founded in 1059 and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Halle aux Grains, a magnificent vaulted hall in the heart of the town. The festival also extends to other towns in the Nièvre region, such as Guérigny and Varennes-lès-Narcy, bringing the blues closer to the local inhabitants.
A Program True to the Roots of the Blues
Blues en Loire stands out for its discerning program that explores the blues in all its diversity: traditional blues, Chicago blues, Delta blues, blues rock, soul, gospel, and African-American music. Each edition is built around a strong theme, such as in 2025 when the festival pays homage to the African roots of the blues, from Mali to the United States, exploring what the blues owes to the African continent.
Renowned Artists
Throughout its editions, the festival has hosted leading national and international artists, helping to make La Charité-sur-Loire a prime stop on the European blues map.
More Than a Festival: A Blues Season
The association Le Chat Musiques does not limit itself to the summer festival. It organizes blues concerts throughout the year in the towns and villages of the Nièvre, extending the energy of mid-August and keeping the blues alive in rural areas. This continuous activity demonstrates the association's deep commitment to the dissemination of living blues.
A Friendly and Accessible Event
Blues en Loire cultivates a warm and friendly atmosphere, typical of blues festivals. The human scale of the event, the quality of the venues, and the proximity to the artists make it an intense and authentic musical experience, appreciated by both enthusiasts and newcomers.
Blues en Loire — edition 2026
The 24th edition of the Blues en Loire festival takes place from Wednesday, August 12 to Saturday, August 15, 2026, in La Charité-sur-Loire and neighboring towns in Nièvre (notably Guérigny). Four days of blues concerts in exceptional heritage sites (Cloître du prieuré, Halle aux Grains), with an international program and free events.
24th Edition — August 12 to 15, 2026
For its 24th edition, the Blues en Loire festival will take over the heritage sites of La Charité-sur-Loire from Wednesday, August 12 to Saturday, August 15, 2026, complemented by an off-site evening in Guérigny. Organized by the association Le Chat Musiques, the event combines paid evening concerts at the Halle aux Grains and the Cloître du prieuré, free daytime stages, blues master classes, a craft market, and a concert for young audiences.
The 2026 program brings together French and international artists (Stan Noubard Pacha & Vincent Bucher, Peter Karp, Zac Harmon, Younger Spirit, Cisco Herzhaft, Late Afternoon, Big Sons of Blues, The Freaky Buds…) with both intimate concerts and evening headliners.
Programme Blues en Loire 2026
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — La Charité-sur-Loire
- 2:30 PM — Cisco Herzhaft (young audience concert) · Halle aux Grains
- 4:30 PM — Bal de Maison · EHPAD du Cosac
- 6:30 PM — Stan Noubard Pacha & Vincent Bucher Quartet · Cloître du prieuré
Thursday, August 13, 2026
La Charité-sur-Loire
- 10 AM-12 PM & 2 PM-4 PM — Master class (Stan Noubard Pacha & Vincent Bucher) · Cellier des Moines
- 2:30 PM — Cisco Herzhaft · Salle Capitulaire
Guérigny
- 5:30 PM — Papy Mojo · Grande Rue
- 8 PM — Late Afternoon, then Sonia Astacio (powerful voice, Chicago Electric Blues style) · Espace Lafayette
Friday, August 14, 2026 — La Charité-sur-Loire
- 10 AM — Master class (continued) · Cellier des Moines
- 11 AM — Craft market with Fenimore · Cloître
- 2:30 PM — Trainees' surprise jam session · Cloître
- 5:30 PM — The Blues Kid Combo · Cloître
- 8:30 PM — Johnny Mullenax, then Peter Karp · Halle aux Grains
Saturday, August 15, 2026 — La Charité-sur-Loire
- 11 AM — Big Sons of Blues · Quai Senghor
- 2:30 PM — Katépi Blues Trio · Cloître
- 5 PM — The Freaky Buds · Cloître
- 8:30 PM — Younger Spirit, then Zac Harmon · Halle aux Grains
Highlights Blues en Loire 2026
- 4 days of blues, from August 12 to 15, 2026
- Concerts in heritage sites: Cloître du prieuré and Halle aux Grains
- International headliners: Zac Harmon, Peter Karp, Younger Spirit
- Free daytime stages, master classes, and craft market
- Off-site evening in Guérigny on August 13
Prices Blues en Loire 2026
Practical information — Blues en Loire
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: La Charité-sur-Loire is accessible via the A77 motorway (exit 28), about 2.5 hours from Paris and 1 hour from Bourges. Free parking is available in town. The historic center is pedestrianized, and concert venues are within walking distance.
By train: La Charité-sur-Loire station is served by TER trains from Nevers (20 min), Bourges, and connections to Paris-Bercy. The station is a 10-minute walk from the historic center.
Concert Venues
- Cloister of the Priory: Place Sainte-Croix, 58400 La Charité-sur-Loire — Exceptional 11th-century Romanesque setting, UNESCO World Heritage site
- Halle aux Grains (Salle des fêtes): La Charité-sur-Loire — Beautiful vaulted hall in the heart of the town
- Concerts also in Guérigny, Varennes-lès-Narcy, and other towns in the Nièvre
Ticketing
Tickets available for presale on the festival website and at local points of sale. Festival passes and single tickets are offered. Advance booking is recommended for concerts in the cloister, which has limited capacity. Check bluesenloire.com for prices and online ticketing.
Accommodation
Hotels, B&Bs, gîtes, and campsites are available in La Charité-sur-Loire and the surrounding area. Book in advance: mid-August is a very busy period in this tourist region on the banks of the Loire.
Food and Drink
Food and drink available on-site during evening concerts. Restaurants in La Charité-sur-Loire offer local specialties: goat cheeses, Loire fish, Pouilly and Sancerre wines.
Contact
Association Le Chat Musiques: Place de la Mairie, 58400 La Charité-sur-Loire. Website: www.bluesenloire.com. Newsletter available on the website to follow festival news and year-round concerts.
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Where does it take place — Blues en Loire
Cloître du prieuré et Halle aux Grains
Le Chat Musiques, Place de la Mairie, 58400 La Charité-sur-Loire, 58400 La Charité-sur-Loire