Éclat(s) d'Été

A Free Summer Festival in the Heart of Gap

Éclat(s) d'Été is the major cultural event of the summer in Gap, the prefecture of the Hautes-Alpes. Organized by the City of Gap through its Department of Culture, this entirely free festival offers around thirty dates each year from early July to late August. Over the years, it has established itself as a must-attend event of the Gap summer season, attracting family and intergenerational audiences in a friendly and festive atmosphere.

A Rich and Eclectic Program

The programming of Éclat(s) d'Été is distinguished by its artistic diversity. The festival combines contemporary music, world music, street arts, new French artists, classical music, and jazz. National and international renowned artists share the stage with emerging talents and local groups, offering a broad and accessible musical panorama for all audiences. Over the years, the festival has hosted artists such as Kyo, Superbus, Julian Marley, Faada Freddy, Sergent Garcia, Chico & The Gypsies, Julien Granel, and Lou Dassi.

Iconic City Locations

One of the unique features of Éclat(s) d'Été is its presence in multiple locations throughout the city. Evening concerts are mainly held at Parc Givaudan and Parc de la Pépinière, two emblematic green spaces in Gap. However, the festival also takes over the Place de la République, the Cathédrale de Gap for the organ recitals of the Mardi de l'Orgue (Organ Tuesdays), Parc de Beauregard, the neighborhoods of Romette and Haut-Gap, as well as the Cour de l'Usine Badin for open-air cinema screenings. This distribution throughout the city allows it to reach all neighborhoods and create a true summer dynamic.

Open-Air Cinema and Summer Guinguettes

Beyond the concerts, Éclat(s) d'Été offers a complete program of summer activities. Open-air cinema screenings, organized on Tuesday evenings in the Cour de l'Usine Badin, offer free films in an enchanting setting. The summer guinguettes liven up the late afternoons with acoustic concerts and moments of conviviality. The Toy Library goes outdoors at Parc de la Pépinière to offer games and family activities, while the Market Concerts on Saturday mornings blend music with a Provençal market atmosphere.

A Festival Rooted in the Alpine Region

Éclat(s) d'Été is part of the ambitious cultural policy of the City of Gap, which dedicates a budget of approximately 250,000 euros to this event. The festival contributes to Gap's influence as the cultural capital of the Southern Alps and enhances the city's tourist appeal during the summer period. In conjunction with the Festival of World Cultures and Music, it offers a program that reflects the openness and cultural diversity of the Hautes-Alpes region.