Chinon en Jazz
Free jazz festival in the royal city of Chinon
About Chinon en Jazz
Jazz takes over the royal city
Every year in June, the city of Chinon vibrates to the sounds of jazz thanks to the Chinon en Jazz festival. This completely free event has become a must-attend on the Chinon cultural calendar, offering a program that reflects all the diversity of contemporary jazz.
Exceptional heritage sites
What makes Chinon en Jazz unique is the exceptional quality of its concert venues. Musicians perform in remarkable heritage sites:
- The Royal Fortress of Chinon: concerts at the top of the fortress with panoramic views of the Vienne river
- The Collegiate Church of Saint-Mexme: exceptional acoustics in this 11th-century building
- Place du Général de Gaulle: the beating heart of the city, an open-air stage
- Jardin Dubruel: a green setting for intimate concerts
- La Devinière / Rabelais Museum: opening concert in the birthplace of Rabelais
A varied and festive program
The Chinon en Jazz program is designed to appeal to all audiences. From traditional jazz to experimental jazz, including free jazz, vocal jazz, swing, and improvised music, the festival celebrates jazz in all its richness. The 2025 edition notably featured Marion Rampal, Srdjan Ivanovic Modular, Abysskiss, Grand Slam, Not Only A Trio, French Quarter, the Elie Garcia Trio, and the Trucking Sisters.
A partnership between Le Petit Faucheux and the City
The festival is organized by Le Petit Faucheux, a jazz and improvised music venue in Tours, in partnership with the City of Chinon and with the support of the Department of Indre-et-Loire. This collaboration ensures a high-quality artistic program and professional organization.
24 years of jazz in Chinonais
Founded in the early 2000s, Chinon en Jazz celebrated its 24th edition in 2025. In nearly a quarter of a century, the festival has built a loyal audience of enthusiasts while attracting new spectators drawn by the free admission and the quality of the concerts offered in an exceptional heritage setting.
Chinon en Jazz — edition 2026
25th edition of Chinon en Jazz, from June 4 to 7, 2026. A quarter-century of entirely free jazz in the royal city, with 14 concerts spread over 4 days in Chinon's heritage sites. A popular yet demanding program mixing musical discoveries, contemporary creations, and major figures of European jazz, including Henri Texier, Fidel Fourneyron (Oko Trio), Clément Janinet (Garden of Silences), and the afrobeat brass band Jumbo System.
25th Anniversary Edition — A Quarter-Century of Jazz in Chinon
From June 4 to 7, 2026, Chinon en Jazz celebrates its 25th edition with 14 entirely free concerts spread over four days. The royal city once again becomes, in the words of Jean-Luc Duchesne, Deputy Mayor for Culture, « a vast open-air Jazz club » where musicians take over the historic monuments of Touraine.
A Popular and Demanding Program
Mathieu Durieux, artistic coordinator, advocates for a « popular and demanding » festival, combining musical discoveries, contemporary creations, and recognized artists from the European jazz scene. The 2026 edition focuses on acoustic jazz on Saturday and chamber forms on Sunday, while also opening up to afrobeat, progressive folk, improvisation, and experimental music.
2026 Headliners
- Henri Texier Essential Quartet — the legendary French jazz double bassist at the Collégiale Saint-Mexme
- Fidel Fourneyron — Oko Trio — the trombonist explores the African roots of jazz
- Clément Janinet — Garden of Silences — a project bringing together Norwegian, German, and French musicians
- Hugues Mayot — L'Arbre Rouge — a quintet at the crossroads of jazz and classical music
- Jumbo System — 10-musician afrobeat brass band in concert at the Forteresse royale
- J.U.NE — Célia Forestier's quartet, acoustic folk and progressive jazz
Heritage Sites Utilized
Concerts are held in exceptional venues: the Forteresse royale de Chinon, the Collégiale Saint-Mexme (11th century, remarkable acoustics), the Place du Général de Gaulle, the Espace Saint-Jean, the Promenade des docteurs Mattrais, the parvis de l'église Saint-Maurice, the Devinière - Musée Rabelais, and La cabane à vin.
A Strong Partnership
The festival is organized by Le Petit Faucheux, SMAC of Tours, in partnership with the Ville de Chinon and with the support of the Conseil départemental d'Indre-et-Loire. Sylvain Moussé, president of Le Petit Faucheux, emphasizes that this edition « affirms its taste for openness more than ever » by highlighting both established artists and emerging talents.
Programme Chinon en Jazz 2026
Thursday, June 4, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Duo Brady · La Devinière - Musée Rabelais (opening concert in Rabelais' birthplace)
Friday, June 5, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Sébastien du Petit Thouars (DJ set) · La cabane à vin
- 7:00 PM — Jumbo System (afrobeat brass band, 10 musicians) · Forteresse royale
- 9:00 PM — Jumbo System & Kalakuta Sound System · Place du Général de Gaulle
Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Acoustic Jazz Day
- 3:00 PM — Bahvoilà (violin-double bass-guitar trio) · Parvis de l'église Saint-Maurice
- 4:30 PM — Oko Trio (Fidel Fourneyron, trombone — African roots of jazz) · Collégiale Saint-Mexme
- 7:00 PM — Tree (drums/double bass/saxophone-clarinet trio) · Collégiale Saint-Mexme
- 8:00 PM — Henri Texier Essential Quartet · Collégiale Saint-Mexme
- 9:30 PM — Sébastien du Petit Thouars (DJ set) · Collégiale Saint-Mexme
Sunday, June 7, 2026 — Chamber Forms
- 11:00 AM — Trio Bondonneau / Keller / Ribis + improvisation workshop · Espace Saint-Jean
- 3:00 PM — J.U.NE (Célia Forestier's quartet, progressive folk-jazz) · Promenade des docteurs Mattrais
- 4:00 PM — Superpêche (saxophone-cello duo, improvisation) · Promenade des docteurs Mattrais
- 5:30 PM — L'Arbre Rouge (quintet, Hugues Mayot) · Collégiale Saint-Mexme
- 7:30 PM — Garden of Silences (Clément Janinet, Norwegian-German-French musicians) · Collégiale Saint-Mexme
Highlights Chinon en Jazz 2026
- 25th anniversary edition — a quarter-century of jazz in Chinon
- 14 entirely free concerts over 4 days
- Henri Texier Essential Quartet at the Collégiale Saint-Mexme
- Afrobeat brass band Jumbo System at the Forteresse royale
- Exceptional heritage sites: Forteresse royale, Collégiale Saint-Mexme, Devinière, Espace Saint-Jean
- Program mixing acoustic jazz, afrobeat, folk-jazz, improvised music, and contemporary creations
Prices Chinon en Jazz 2026
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Where does it take place — Chinon en Jazz
Forteresse royale, Collégiale Saint-Mexme, Espace Saint-Jean, Place du Général de Gaulle, Promenade des docteurs Mattrais, La Devinière - Musée Rabelais
Place du Général de Gaulle, 37500 Chinon