Charlie Jazz Festival

Open-air jazz in the heart of Provence

The Charlie Jazz Festival is a must-attend jazz event in the South of France. Every summer, for three days in July, the park of the Domaine de Fontblanche in Vitrolles transforms into an open-air musical gem, hosting internationally renowned jazz, world music, and improvised music artists. The festival is named after Charlie Free, the founding association that has been promoting and disseminating jazz in all its diversity since 1998.

From Moulin à Jazz to Domaine de Fontblanche

The history of the Charlie Jazz Festival is intimately linked to that of the Moulin à Jazz, an iconic concert venue in Vitrolles where the Charlie Free association has organized jazz sessions every two weeks since its inception. The first festival, named "Fête à Charlie", was born in 1998 in a small 90-seat venue. Due to its growing success, the event moved to the Domaine de Fontblanche around the year 2000, officially becoming the "Charlie Jazz Festival". Since then, the festival has continued to grow, attracting thousands of spectators each year from across the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

An excellent program dedicated to jazz

The Charlie Jazz Festival's programming is distinguished by its artistic excellence and diversity. The festival showcases legendary jazz artists alongside the most promising emerging talents, blending classical jazz, contemporary jazz, world music, afrobeat, and improvised music. Each day features three to four concerts, allowing festival-goers to discover a wide range of styles and ensembles, from intimate acoustic trios to big bands and the most innovative projects.

Le Rendez-Vous de Charlie: extending the experience in the autumn

In addition to the summer festival, the Charlie Free association organizes the Rendez-Vous de Charlie each autumn, two evenings of concerts at the Théâtre de Fontblanche in Vitrolles. This event allows for an extended Charlie Jazz Festival experience in a more intimate setting, with top-tier artists programmed in an indoor venue. The season continues throughout the year at the Moulin à Jazz, the true beating heart of Vitrolles jazz.

An exceptional natural setting

The Domaine de Fontblanche, owned by the city of Vitrolles, offers a remarkable natural setting for the festival. The tree-lined park, nestled amidst the pines and Provençal scrubland, hosts the open-air stages in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Festival-goers can enjoy the green spaces, food stalls offering local specialties, and a family-friendly ambiance that makes this festival unique, far from the hustle and bustle of large urban events.