Festival de Ramatuelle
Theater, humor, and music in the green amphitheater of the Saint-Tropez peninsula
About 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.
Ramatuelle — edition 2026
41st Edition — July 29 to August 12, 2026
The 41st edition of the Festival de Ramatuelle unfolds over fifteen evenings, from July 29 to August 12, 2026, in the green amphitheater. Under the artistic direction of Michel Boujenah, the festival brings together classic and contemporary theater, comedy, concerts, and dance, true to its multidisciplinary calling.
The edition opens with three Classical Nights (July 29 — 31), curated by Jean-Michel Dhuez. On the program: Beethoven's 9th Symphony in an exceptional version for two pianos, soloists, and choir; the ballet Misatango / Boléro by the Julien Lestel Ballet; and a Songbook bringing together Lambert Wilson, Pierre Genisson, and Bruno Fontaine around French chanson and American standards.
Then come twelve evenings of the Festival proper (August 1 — 12). The line-up includes Manu Payet opening the festival, Molière's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme staged by Jérémie Lippmann with Jean-Paul Rouve in the title role, comedies by Sacha Judaszko, Stéphane Laporte, and Laurent Ruquier, a concert by Jeanne Cherhal, the new one-woman show by Camille Chamoux, the great classic Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose, and a closing night with Benabar on tour on August 12.
Chaired since 1986 by Jacqueline Franjou, the festival's founder, the Festival de Ramatuelle maintains the dual demand that has built its reputation: welcoming popular headliners without ever compromising on the quality of the texts or artistic ambition. The 2026 box office is open online at festivalderamatuelle.com; as every year, most evenings sell out weeks in advance.
Programme Ramatuelle 2026
Classical Nights (July 29 — 31, 2026)
- July 29 — Beethoven's 9th Symphony: an exceptional version for two pianos, soloists, and choir. With Hélène Mercier and Louis Lortie at the pianos, Claire de Monteil (soprano), Delphine Haidan (mezzo-soprano), Valentin Thill (tenor), Nicolas Cavallier (baritone-bass), and the choir of the Opéra de Toulon.
- July 30 — Misatango / Boléro: ballet by the Julien Lestel Ballet, set to music by Martin Palmieri (Misatango) and Maurice Ravel (Boléro). Choreography by Julien Lestel, assistant choreographer Gilles Porte, lighting Lo-Ammy Vaimatapako, production Alexandra Cardinale Opera Ballet Production. A creation exploring the links between music and movement, spirituality and sensuality.
- July 31 — Songbook, with Lambert Wilson, Pierre Genisson, and Bruno Fontaine: the essentials of French chanson and great American standards. Opening act: Lucie Peyramaure (soprano), named lyric artist revelation at the 2026 Victoires de la Musique Classique, accompanied by Charlotte Bonneu (piano).
The Festival (August 1 — 12, 2026)
- August 1 — Manu Payet in Emmanuel 2
- August 2 — Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (Molière), staged by Jérémie Lippmann, with Jean-Paul Rouve, Jean-Louis Barcelona, Gauthier Battoue, Julien Boclé, Taylor Chateau, Michaël Cohen, Hugues Delamarlière, Eleonora Galasso, Audrey Langle, Joséphine Meunier, Florent Operto, Marie Parisot, Marie Parouty, and Héloïse Vellard
- August 3 — Toute la famille que j'aime by Sacha Judaszko and Fabrice Donnio, staged by Anne Bouvier, with Michel Boujenah, Guillaume Bouchède, Anne Sophie Germanaz, and Raphaëline Goupilleau
- August 4 — Dolores by Stéphane Laporte, staged by Virginie Lemoine. With Olivier Sitruk, François Feroleto, and Joséphine Thoby (actors), Sharon Sultan and Carlos Escudero Ramirez (dancers), Cristo Cortes (singer), and Dani Barba (musician)
- August 5 — La Joconde parle enfin, text by Laurent Ruquier, staged by Rodolphe Sand, with Karina Marimon
- August 6 — Une heure à t'attendre by Sylvain Meyniac, staged by Delphine de Malherbe, with Thierry Frémont and Nicolas Vaude
- August 7 — Je m'appelle Georges… et vous ? by Gilles Dyrek, staged by Éric Bu, with Mélanie Page, Grégori Baquet, Marine Dusehu, Étienne Launay, and Stéphane Roux
- August 8 — Jeanne Cherhal in concert
- August 9 — Camille Chamoux in Ça va, ça va (writing, performance, and direction by Camille Chamoux, co-direction Cédric Moreau)
- August 10 — Dans le couloir by Jean-Claude Grumberg, staged by Charles Tordjman, with Jean-Pierre Darroussin and Christine Murillo
- August 11 — Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose (French adaptation Francis Lombrail), staged by Charles Tordjman. With Yves Lambrecht, François Rauch de Roberty, Francis Lombrail, Philippe Crubezy, Amine Chaïb, Geoffroy Guerrier, Thierry Gibault, Xavier de Guillebon, Claude Guedj, Roch Leibovici, Olivier Cruveiller, and Pascal Ternisien
- August 12 — Benabar on tour (closing concert)
President: Jacqueline Franjou. Festival artistic director: Michel Boujenah. Classical Nights artistic director: Jean-Michel Dhuez.
Highlights Ramatuelle 2026
2026 Headliners
- Lambert Wilson, Pierre Genisson, and Bruno Fontaine — Songbook: French chanson and American standards (July 31)
- Manu Payet — Emmanuel 2, opening the festival (August 1)
- Jean-Paul Rouve in Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme by Molière (August 2)
- Jeanne Cherhal in concert (August 8)
- Camille Chamoux — Ça va, ça va, new one-woman show (August 9)
- Jean-Pierre Darroussin and Christine Murillo in Dans le couloir by Jean-Claude Grumberg (August 10)
- Benabar — closing concert (August 12)
Prices Ramatuelle 2026
Practical information — Ramatuelle
Practical Information
Location
Amphitheater of Verdure of Ramatuelle
Route de l'Amphithéâtre
83350 Ramatuelle
Access
By car: From Saint-Tropez (8 km), take the D93 towards Ramatuelle. From the A8 motorway, exit at Le Muy or Fréjus, then take the D25 and D93. Parking available at the entrance of the village.
By bus: Summer shuttles (Var Lib) from Saint-Tropez, Sainte-Maxime, and La Croix-Valmer to Ramatuelle.
By boat: From Saint-Tropez, maritime shuttles to the beaches of Pampelonne (5 km from the amphitheater).
Schedule
Performances generally start in the evening, at dusk, from 9:00 PM or 9:30 PM. The amphitheater is accessible from 8:30 PM.
Prices
Prices vary depending on the performance. Booking strongly recommended, as shows often sell out quickly.
Ticketing
Online booking at festivalderamatuelle.com and at partner tourist offices on the Saint-Tropez peninsula.
Tips
The amphitheater is open-air: bring a light jacket for cool August evenings. Arrive early to find parking and enjoy the village.
Contact
Website: www.festivalderamatuelle.com
83350 Ramatuelle
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Where does it take place — Ramatuelle
Amphithéâtre de Verdure de Ramatuelle
Route de l'Amphithéâtre, 83350 Ramatuelle