Cuivres en Dombes Brass Festival

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.