Festival Country de Craponne

The country music event of the Velay plateau

Every last weekend of July, the small town of Craponne-sur-Arzon, nestled on the Velay plateau in Haute-Loire, transforms into the true French capital of country music. The Festival Country de Craponne is one of the oldest and most important country music festivals in France, attracting thousands of enthusiasts from all over France and Europe each year.

A history of over 30 years

The adventure began in 1988 under the name Festival Country Rendez-Vous, in the commune of Dore-l'Église in Puy-de-Dôme, with 250 spectators and eight European musical groups. With growing success, the site quickly became too small, and the festival settled in Craponne-sur-Arzon in 1993, where it found its ideal natural setting. Over the years, the event has continued to grow, hosting country legends like Bill Monroe, the founder of bluegrass, as early as 1992. The festival has attracted up to 30,000 spectators over the weekend in its best years.

In 2019, financial difficulties threatened the survival of the event. But thanks to the mobilization of many volunteers and local authorities, a new association, Festival Country de Craponne 43, was created to ensure the longevity of this iconic cultural event.

Parc des Étoiles: a natural setting in the heart of nature

The ticketed concerts take place at the Parc des Étoiles, an enclosed and secure site in the heart of nature, offering an exceptional setting to enjoy music under the stars. This unique location, surrounded by greenery on the Velay plateau, immerses festival-goers in an authentic western atmosphere, between open skies and preserved landscapes of Haute-Loire.

A 100% country program

The festival offers a program exclusively dedicated to country music in all its forms: traditional American country, new country, country rock, folk, bluegrass, and European country. Each edition hosts artists from the United States, Canada, and Europe, mixing international headliners and emerging talents on the Parc des Étoiles stage.

Much more than just concerts

Beyond the music, the Festival Country de Craponne offers a true immersion into the western and American universe:

• American vehicle parade: a spectacular parade of trucks, muscle cars, Harley-Davidsons, and vintage American vehicles goes through the town.
• Dance workshops and initiations: line dance, couple country dance, with classes taught by renowned instructors.
• Festival Off in the town center: free entertainment, western clothing and accessories stalls, crafts, food.
• Workshops and activities for children: the festival is a family event open to all generations.
• Country elegance parade: showcasing country fashion through the decades.

A friendly and family atmosphere

What makes the Festival Country de Craponne unique is its warm and accessible atmosphere. Throughout the weekend, the town center of Craponne-sur-Arzon lives to the rhythm of country music with the Festival Off, which is free to access: western clothing stalls, jewelry, hats, boots, crafts, food trucks, and entertainment. Horse-drawn carriages shuttle between the town center and the Parc des Étoiles, adding a touch of charm to the event. The country spirit, made of sharing, conviviality, and good humor, permeates every moment of this unique weekend in France.