Festival Chanson de Café
French chanson festival in the cafés of Pornic
About Chanson de Café
Created in 2004 by the City of Pornic, the Festival Chanson de Café is a free event dedicated to emerging French chanson. Each year, ten selected singer-songwriters perform in partner cafés in the seaside town, offering intimate and warm concerts. The audience votes for their favorite artist, with the winner earning a performance at the Estivales de Pornic. Between café stages, the Esplanade de la Ria, and the final at Val Saint-Martin, Pornic vibrates to the rhythm of chanson for a weekend in March.
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Festival Chanson de Café: French Chanson at Counter Height
Since 2004, the Festival Chanson de Café in Pornic has celebrated French chanson in its most authentic form: direct interaction between an artist and their audience, in the warm atmosphere of cafés. Organized by the City of Pornic, this free and participatory festival has become a must-attend event for chanson lovers on the Côte de Jade.
A Launchpad for Emerging Talents
Each year, the festival selects ten singer-songwriters from dozens of applications from across France. These up-and-coming artists, each with a unique musical universe, find an exceptional showcase at the Festival Chanson de Café to present their original creations and assert their professional ambitions. The festival has contributed to launching many careers since its inception.
Cafés, Settings for Chanson
The heart of the festival beats in the partner cafés of Pornic — L'Ardillon, Le Café du Château, Moody Bar, L'Autre Quai, Le Bahia, La Casa d'Hernesto, Sybarite, Bar Le Phare, Le Picovino, Le Bercail, and more. From Friday to Saturday evening, starting at 6 PM, each artist has 20 to 30 minutes to perform their compositions, alone or with a musician, in rare proximity to the seated audience.
The Scène+ on the Esplanade de la Ria
On Saturday afternoon, from 3 PM to 6 PM, all the festival artists gather on the Scène+ located on the Esplanade de la Ria, a temporary space specially set up by the sea. This afternoon of musical discoveries in the open air offers the public the chance to see all the selected talents in an exceptional setting overlooking the port of Pornic.
The Final and the Audience Award
On Sunday afternoon, at 3 PM, the grand finale takes place at the Espace culturel du Val Saint-Martin. All artists perform one last time on stage before the results are announced. The audience, who voted throughout the weekend in the cafés, chooses their favorite artist. The winner of the audience award is rewarded with a performance at the Estivales de Pornic in July, providing an additional springboard to a professional career.
A Free, Friendly, and Participatory Festival
Admission to all Festival Chanson de Café concerts is completely free, in line with the goal of making French chanson accessible to everyone. This free admission, combined with the relaxed atmosphere of the cafés and the participatory nature of the voting, makes this festival a unique moment of sharing where everyone becomes an actor in musical discovery.
Chanson de Café — edition 2026
The 22nd edition of the Festival Chanson de Café will take place from March 27th to 29th, 2026. Ten selected singer-songwriters will perform in the ten partner cafés of Pornic, on the Scène+ of the Esplanade de la Ria on Saturday afternoon, and during the grand finale at the Espace Val Saint-Martin on Sunday. The selected artists are Lilly Bécot, Malween, Manil & Cie, Marie Cheyenne, Sac à Boulons, Fauzene, Céline & Clara, Tania Wyss, Marie Roche, and Besac-Arthur.
22nd Edition — Festival Chanson de Café 2026
For its 22nd edition, the Festival Chanson de Café in Pornic will take over the town from Friday, March 27th to Sunday, March 29th, 2026, once again transforming Pornic's cafés into stages for French chanson.
The Ten Selected Artists
The 2026 selection brings together ten unique musical universes: Lilly Bécot, a singer-songwriter with intimate and poetic lyrics and sensitive pop influences; Malween; Manil & Cie; Marie Cheyenne; Sac à Boulons; Fauzene; Céline & Clara; Tania Wyss; Marie Roche, and Besac-Arthur.
Intimate Café Stages
On Friday, March 27th, and Saturday, March 28th, starting at 6 PM, the ten artists will perform in the ten partner cafés: L'Ardillon, Le Café du Château, Moody Bar, L'Autre Quai, Le Bahia, La Casa d'Hernesto, Sybarite, Bar Le Phare, Le Picovino, and Le Bercail. Each artist will have 20 to 30 minutes to perform their compositions, alone or accompanied by a musician.
The Scène+ on the Esplanade de la Ria
On Saturday, March 28th, from 3 PM to 6 PM, all the festival artists will gather on the Scène+ located on the Esplanade de la Ria, a temporary space set up by the sea for an afternoon of open-air musical discoveries.
Grand Finale at Espace Val Saint-Martin
On Sunday, March 29th, at 3 PM, the grand finale will take place at the Espace Val Saint-Martin. All artists will perform one last time before the results are announced and the audience award is presented, offering the winner a performance at the Estivales de Pornic.
Programme Chanson de Café 2026
2026 Edition Program
- Friday, March 27th, starting at 6 PM — Intimate concerts in the 10 partner cafés: Lilly Bécot, Malween, Manil & Cie, Marie Cheyenne, Sac à Boulons, Fauzene, Céline & Clara, Tania Wyss, Marie Roche, Besac-Arthur
- Saturday, March 28th, 3 PM-6 PM — Scène+ on the Esplanade de la Ria: all festival artists
- Saturday, March 28th, starting at 6 PM — Intimate concerts in the partner cafés
- Sunday, March 29th, 3 PM — Grand finale at Espace Val Saint-Martin: performance by all artists and announcement of results
Highlights Chanson de Café 2026
Highlights of the 2026 Edition
- Lilly Bécot, a singer-songwriter with intimate and poetic lyrics
- Ten artists in ten partner cafés in Pornic
- Outdoor Scène+ on the Esplanade de la Ria
- Grand finale and audience award at Espace Val Saint-Martin
- Free admission to all concerts
Prices Chanson de Café 2026
Practical information — Chanson de Café
Practical Information
Concert Venues
The Festival Chanson de Café takes place in several locations in Pornic:
- Partner Cafés — About ten cafés and bars in the town center of Pornic (L'Ardillon, Le Café du Château, Moody Bar, L'Autre Quai, Le Bahia, La Casa d'Hernesto, Sybarite, Bar Le Phare, Le Picovino, Le Bercail)
- Esplanade de la Ria — Scène+ outdoor stage on Saturday afternoon (3 PM-6 PM)
- Espace culturel du Val Saint-Martin — Rue Jules Ferry, 44210 Pornic (grand finale on Sunday at 3 PM)
Prices
- Free admission to all concerts in the cafés, on the Esplanade de la Ria, and at the finale
Access
By car: Pornic is located 50 km west of Nantes via the D751 or the A83 then the D758. Free parking near the town center.
By bus: Aléop bus line from Nantes (bus station).
By train: Pornic station (TER connection from Nantes in about 1 hour).
Contact
Mairie de Pornic
1 Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, 44210 Pornic
Tel: 02 40 82 31 11
Website: www.pornic.fr
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Chanson de Café
Cafés partenaires de Pornic
Esplanade de la Ria, 44210 Pornic