Cuivres en Dombes Brass Festival
Touring brass music festival in the Dombes region
About Cuivres en Dombes
Cuivres en Dombes: when music meets heritage
Since 1997, the Cuivres en Dombes Festival has set trumpets, horns, tubas and trombones ringing in the finest heritage sites of the Dombes. Founded by musician Philippe Constant, this one-of-a-kind touring festival aims to showcase brass instruments in all their forms, well beyond their traditional association with military music, while enhancing the exceptional built and natural heritage of this Ain territory.
A touring festival between châteaux and villages
What makes Cuivres en Dombes unique is its touring nature. Rather than being confined to a single venue, the festival each summer occupies some twenty remarkable sites across the Dombes: historic châteaux (Joyeux, Tanay, Béost, La Grange, du Breuil, de Glareins), the medieval market halls of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, churches, cottages and village squares. Each concert thus becomes a double discovery: musical and heritage.
An eclectic and ambitious programme
The programming, overseen by director Camille Marchalot, boldly blends jazz, classical, funk, pop, French chanson and world music. The only rule: each ensemble must include at least one brass instrument. Internationally renowned groups such as Mnozil Brass, Monaco Brass, Federspiel and the Balkan Paradise Orchestra share the bill with young talent and emerging artists. The festival offers two types of events: evening heritage concerts in exceptional venues, and free aperitif concerts in villages, accompanied by tastings of local produce.
A strong territorial and social commitment
The Académie de Cuivres en Dombes, a not-for-profit recognised as being of general interest since 2012, manages the festival and develops five areas of activity: the summer festival, a schools season of children's shows, a collection of commissioned original compositions, a free touring "Off-Season" programme and cultural inclusion seasons for people with disabilities or facing social exclusion. With an annual budget of 390,000 euros, around a hundred volunteers and two permanent staff, the festival has become a major cultural player in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Conviviality and local gastronomy
True to its local roots, the festival showcases Dombes gastronomy at every event. Cheese and charcuterie platters, "Dombes boards" made exclusively from local producers' goods, vegetarian options and seasonal regional specialities are served at the refreshment stand and catering area. The artists themselves are welcomed with meals prepared by volunteers using local produce, in an eco-responsible spirit.
Cuivres en Dombes — edition 2026
30th edition: an anniversary with a fanfare
The Festival Cuivres en Dombes celebrates its 30th edition from July 4 to August 1, 2026 with 8 heritage evenings in the most beautiful heritage sites of the Dombes and 21 free aperitif concerts in the Dombes villages. For this anniversary, the program brings together internationally renowned ensembles and exceptional artists.
The festival opens on Friday, July 4 at the Château de La Grange Jean Bal in Lapeyrouse with Monaco Brass, accompanied by Guy Giuliano and Anne Carrère for an evening dedicated to «French song in the spotlight». On Saturday, July 25, the Pro Brass ensemble will take over the Château de Béost in Vonnas for a program titled «Brass and Percussion Ensemble».
From July 27 to 31, the festival will be held between Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, Saint-Didier-de-Formans and Châtenay: the Balkan Paradise Orchestra and its communicative energy at the Halles de Châtillon on July 27, the brass bands Assia Brass Bénin and Skokiaan for a journey into «World Music» at the Halles on July 28, the Quatuor Ellius and its program «The Tuba in Majesty» at the Château de Tanay on July 29, and the Austrian ensemble Federspiel at the Cottage de Montchamp in Châtenay for a concert of «pure virtuosity» on July 30.
The last two evenings at the Château de Joyeux promise an exceptional finale: Lucienne Renaudin-Vary, young trumpet prodigy, in a duo with accordionist Félicien Brut on Friday, July 31, followed by Melotronic with singer Isabelle Georges and the Frederik Steenbrink Big Band for a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra on Saturday, August 1.
In parallel with the paid evenings, the 21 free aperitif concerts offered in the squares and in the heart of the Dombes villages have been one of the festival's trademarks since its beginnings. Accessible to all without reservation, they allow audiences to discover brass ensembles in a friendly atmosphere.
Programme Cuivres en Dombes 2026
2026 Program — 8 Heritage Evenings
- Friday, July 4, 9 PM: Monaco Brass, Guy Giuliano and Anne Carrère — «French Song in the Spotlight» — Château de La Grange Jean Bal, Lapeyrouse
- Saturday, July 25, 9 PM: Pro Brass — «Brass and Percussion Ensemble» — Château de Béost, Vonnas
- Monday, July 27, 9 PM: Balkan Paradise Orchestra — «Communicative Energy!» — Halles de Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
- Tuesday, July 28, 7 PM: Assia Brass Bénin and Skokiaan Brass Band — «World Music» — Halles de Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
- Wednesday, July 29, 9 PM: Quatuor Ellius — «The Tuba in Majesty» — Château de Tanay, Saint-Didier-de-Formans
- Thursday, July 30, 9 PM: Federspiel — «Pure Virtuosity» — Cottage de Montchamp, Châtenay
- Friday, July 31, 9 PM: Lucienne Renaudin-Vary and Félicien Brut — «Trumpet and Accordion at the Summit» — Château de Joyeux
- Saturday, August 1, 7 PM: Melotronic, Isabelle Georges and Frederik Steenbrink Big Band — «Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra» — Château de Joyeux
21 Free Aperitif Concerts
In addition, 21 free aperitif concerts are scheduled throughout the festival in the squares and in the heart of the Dombes villages (between July 5 and August 1, 2026). Accessible to all without reservation, they allow audiences to discover brass ensembles outdoors, accompanied by tastings of local products. Detailed calendar on the official website.
Highlights Cuivres en Dombes 2026
- 30th anniversary edition of the festival
- 8 paid heritage evenings in the castles and market halls of the Dombes
- 21 free aperitif concerts in the Dombes villages
- Monaco Brass opening at Château de La Grange Jean Bal (Lapeyrouse)
- Balkan Paradise Orchestra at the Halles de Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
- Federspiel, an Austrian ensemble of exceptional virtuosity
- Lucienne Renaudin-Vary, trumpet prodigy, in a duo with Félicien Brut
- Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra closing at Château de Joyeux
- Quatuor Ellius: «The Tuba in Majesty» at Château de Tanay
Prices Cuivres en Dombes 2026
Practical information — Cuivres en Dombes
Practical information
Access and location
The festival takes place in the Dombes, a territory in the Ain department (01), between Lyon (40 km) and Bourg-en-Bresse (30 km). Concerts are held at various heritage sites across the region: châteaux, market halls, churches and cottages.
- By car: From Lyon, A46 motorway towards Bourg-en-Bresse, exit Villars-les-Dombes or Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne. From Bourg-en-Bresse, take the D936 towards Lyon.
- By train: Villars-les-Dombes station (Lyon Part-Dieu - Bourg-en-Bresse line). From the station, carpooling or shuttles to concert venues are available.
Main concert venues
- Château de Joyeux, Villars-les-Dombes
- Château de Tanay, Saint-Didier-de-Formans
- Château de Béost, Vonnas
- Château de La Grange, Lapeyrouse
- Halles de Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
- Cottage de Montchamp, Châtenay
- Espace Noël Ravassard, Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
Prices
- Heritage concerts: full price 25 euros, reduced 12 euros (children from age 5, students under 26, jobseekers), free for ages 0-4.
- Festival Pass (8 concerts): 120 euros.
- 3-concert subscription: 60 euros.
- Aperitif concerts: free.
Tickets
Book online via Weezevent, by post to the Académie de Cuivres en Dombes (7 avenue Dubanchet, 01400 Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne), on site on concert evenings (subject to availability) or at partner tourist offices (Dombes Tourisme, Meximieux, Ars-Trévoux).
Food & drink
Refreshment stand and catering using local and/or seasonal organic produce with vegetarian options. Bar opens 1.5 hours before heritage concerts, 45 minutes before free concerts. Payment by cash, cheque and card. Plastic bottles not permitted, no picnics on site.
Accessibility
Concert venues are accessible to people with reduced mobility via adapted pathways. Dedicated disabled parking on presentation of a disability card. Free shuttle from car park to venue. Adapted welcome available on request.
Accommodation
Hôtel Jardins de la Tour (Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne), Gîtes de France Ain (04 74 23 82 66), Clévacances with a special Festival offer.
Contact
- Phone: 04 74 30 64 28
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Académie de Cuivres en Dombes, 7 avenue Dubanchet, 01400 Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
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Where does it take place — Cuivres en Dombes
Châteaux et sites patrimoniaux de la Dombes
7 avenue Dubanchet, 01400 Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne