Festival Chanson de Café

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.