Festival de Ramatuelle

Festival de Ramatuelle: Forty Years of Live Performance Under the Stars

The Festival de Ramatuelle is one of the most emblematic cultural events of the Var summer and the entire Provençal coast. Since its creation in 1986, it has established itself as an unmissable fixture in French cultural life, skillfully blending live performing arts—theater, one-man shows, humor, and music—in a unique natural setting.

The green amphitheater of Ramatuelle, nestled in the landscape of cork oaks and vineyards characteristic of the Saint-Tropez peninsula, offers remarkable natural acoustics and an incomparable nocturnal atmosphere. Spectators, seated in the stands under the starry sky, experience something far beyond a simple performance: it's a communion between the arts, nature, and Provence.

A History of Passion and Talent

The festival was founded in 1986 by Jacqueline Franjou, a former press attaché and theater woman, who dedicated over thirty years of her life to making Ramatuelle an exceptional stage. Under her direction, the festival hosted the biggest names in French theater and stage: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Michel Serrault, Gérard Depardieu, Michel Bouquet, Isabelle Adjani, Line Renaud, Muriel Robin, Jean-Marie Bigard, and dozens of others.

The festival also discovered new talents and supported productions that became national successes. This dual mission—welcoming stars and supporting creation—is one of the hallmarks of the Ramatuelle festival.

The Amphitheater: An Extraordinary Venue

The green amphitheater of Ramatuelle is an open-air performance venue with a capacity of approximately 1,500 seats. Built in the 1960s and regularly renovated, it combines the charm of ancient theaters—the open-air stage, stone seating, trees surrounding the audience—with the technical facilities of a contemporary venue. Its elevated location in the old medieval village of Ramatuelle gives it a magical, timeless dimension.

The 40th Anniversary Edition (2025)

The 2025 edition celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Festival de Ramatuelle, a unique opportunity to look back while resolutely looking forward. From August 1st to 12th, the anniversary program brought together iconic artists and high-caliber performances:

• Dany Boon—the comedian-director from the North, creator of the most-watched film in French cinema history, presented his new show on the Ramatuelle stage, blending sketches, improvisations, and tributes to his homeland.
• Laurent Voulzy—the iconic singer-songwriter, author of "Rockollection," "Belle-Île-en-Mer," and "Désirs désirs," offered an acoustic concert of rare intimacy in the amphitheater.

The full program for this anniversary edition also included classic and contemporary plays, original productions, and tribute performances to the previous thirty-nine editions.

Openness to Popular and Demanding Theater

While the festival hosts mainstream headliners like Dany Boon, it remains committed to the quality of the scripts and the excellence of the performances. Comedies, dramas, monologues, classic repertoire plays, and contemporary creations coexist in a program that refuses to choose between popularity and artistic ambition.

Ramatuelle, a Village of Culture

The village of Ramatuelle, classified among the most beautiful villages in France, is itself a character in the festival. Its medieval streets, lively café terraces, and panoramic views of the sea and vineyards create a unique atmosphere that extends the performance experience far beyond the theater. Many festival-goers make their stay in Ramatuelle during the first weeks of August a true cultural and Provençal pilgrimage.