Festival à Travers Chants
The French song festival in Saint-Saulve, showcasing emerging talents for over 30 years
About À Travers Chants
The Festival à Travers Chants is a French song festival organized annually in March by the MJC Espace Athéna in Saint-Saulve, in the Valenciennois region. For over 30 years, this festival has distinguished itself by its ability to discover and program emerging talents in French song, long before their national recognition. Singer-songwriters, groups, and quality artists perform for three weeks of contemporary French song concerts in all their diversity, from poetic songs to rock, swing, and world music.
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À Travers Chants: The festival that discovers tomorrow's talents
The Festival à Travers Chants is a musical event organized annually in March by the MJC Espace Athéna in Saint-Saulve, in the Valenciennois region. For over 30 years, this festival has become the gateway for French talents in their plurality, distinguishing itself by its flair for spotting artists before their national success.
A legendary flair for discoveries
The festival team has shown remarkable instinct in discovering tomorrow's talents. In the 1990s, the festival hosted an unknown Pascal Obispo, and in 2016, Ben Mazué long before his consecration. This ability to unearth future stars of French song has built the festival's reputation among professionals and discerning music lovers.
Three weeks of French song
Each edition offers a series of concerts spread over three weeks in March, allowing spectators to discover singer-songwriters, groups, and artists from the contemporary French scene. The programming embraces the full diversity of French song: poetic songs, rock, swing, world music, musical humor, and more experimental forms.
MJC Espace Athéna: A cultural venue
The Espace Culturel Athéna in Saint-Saulve is the beating heart of the festival. This performance venue, managed by the MJC (Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture), offers a human-sized capacity that fosters proximity between artists and the audience, creating an intimate and warm atmosphere conducive to musical discovery.
Strong local roots
The festival contributes to the cultural dynamism of the Valenciennois region and offers local residents access to quality musical programming. The MJC also develops mediation and awareness-raising activities for French song throughout the year.
À Travers Chants — edition 2026
The 33rd edition of the Festival à Travers Chants will take place from March 10 to 28, 2026, at the MJC Espace Athéna in Saint-Saulve. The lineup announces Alexis HK, Sapritch, Agnès Jaoui, Johnny Montreuil, Laurent Madiot, Nach, Mathieu Boogaerts, Malou, and other artists.
Festival à Travers Chants 2026 - 33rd Edition
The Festival à Travers Chants returns from March 10 to 28, 2026, for its 33rd edition at the MJC Espace Athéna in Saint-Saulve. The lineup announces Alexis HK, Sapritch, Agnès Jaoui, Johnny Montreuil, Laurent Madiot, Nach, Mathieu Boogaerts, Malou, Paname Retro, Furieux Ferdinand, À La Dérive, and Ysé/Zaza Fournier.
Programme À Travers Chants 2026
Artists announced for 2026
- Alexis HK
- Sapritch
- Agnès Jaoui
- Johnny Montreuil
- Laurent Madiot
- Nach
- Mathieu Boogaerts
- Malou
- Paname Retro
- Furieux Ferdinand
- À La Dérive
- Ysé / Zaza Fournier
Highlights À Travers Chants 2026
- 33rd edition of the festival
- Mathieu Boogaerts and Agnès Jaoui on the program
- Mix of headliners and emerging talents
Prices À Travers Chants 2026
Practical information — À Travers Chants
Main Venue
MJC Espace Athéna
Rue Jean Jaurès
59880 Saint-Saulve
Human-sized performance hall offering unique proximity between artists and the audience.
Access
By car
Saint-Saulve is located 3 km north of Valenciennes, accessible from the A2 motorway (Valenciennes Nord exit). Free parking available near Espace Athéna.
By train
Valenciennes station is served by TER Hauts-de-France from Lille (45 min), Douai (30 min), and Cambrai (25 min). From Valenciennes station, take the Transvilles bus to Saint-Saulve (5 minutes) or a taxi.
By bus
Transvilles network: several lines connect Valenciennes to Saint-Saulve. Stop near the MJC Espace Athéna.
Prices and ticketing
Affordable prices for all concerts (around 10 to 25 euros depending on the artists). Season tickets and passes available for multiple concerts at advantageous rates. Reduced prices for MJC members, students, and job seekers. Ticketing at the MJC Espace Athéna reception, online on Placeminute, and on the MJC website. Advance booking is recommended as capacity is limited.
Period and times
The festival takes place over three weeks in March, with concerts mainly on Friday and Saturday evenings. Doors usually open at 8 PM, concerts start at 8:30 PM. Bar and light catering available on site before and after concerts.
MJC Membership
Membership in the MJC of Saint-Saulve allows you to benefit from reduced prices on all festival concerts and MJC activities throughout the year.
Contact
MJC Espace Athéna
Rue Jean Jaurès, 59880 Saint-Saulve
Website: mjc-athena.org
Facebook: Festival À Travers Chants
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach À Travers Chants at the best price.
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Where does it take place — À Travers Chants
MJC Espace Athéna
Rue Jean Jaurès, 59880 Saint-Saulve