Festival des Chorales de Chaudes-Aigues

The Choir Festival: Chaudes-Aigues Sings in Harmony

Nestled in the heart of the Remontalou valley, Chaudes-Aigues is famous for its natural hot springs, including the Par spring, the hottest in Europe at 82°C. It is in this thermal town with preserved charm that the choral event, led by the choir Le Souffle du Par, takes place, making the vaults of the Gothic church resonate with the sound of united voices.

An Event Driven by the Passion for Choral Singing

The event is organized by the association « Le Souffle du Par », a local choir founded in Chaudes-Aigues in 2005. This association is dedicated to the initiation and practice of choral singing, and regularly organizes concerts and cultural events in the thermal town. The choir celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, testifying to the vitality of this cultural initiative in a rural setting.

Concerts in an Exceptional Setting

The concerts take place in the Saint-Blaise et Saint-Martin church in Chaudes-Aigues, a Gothic edifice rebuilt around 1460 after the destructions of the Wars of Religion. The remarkable acoustics of this church make it an ideal setting for choral performances. Several choirs from the region perform, offering a varied repertoire ranging from sacred polyphonies to popular and traditional songs.

Among the choirs invited over the editions, one finds ensembles from all over the region — from Mende, from Craponne-sur-Arzon, or even local choirs like Cantaleyre, Terre de Peyre and Au Chœur des Flots, each bringing their own musical color and repertoire.

A Friendly Gathering

Beyond the concerts themselves, these gatherings are punctuated by moments of conviviality between choristers and the public. Informal exchanges and a warm atmosphere characterize this human-scale event, bringing together choirs who come to share their passion for singing.

Chaudes-Aigues, Land of Culture and Well-being

These concerts are part of the cultural program of Chaudes-Aigues, a thermal resort renowned for its beneficial waters. Visitors can take advantage of their visit to discover the thermal baths, the Par spring, the Geothermal museum, and the picturesque streets of this medieval village. The region also offers great opportunities for hiking in the nearby Aubrac and Margeride mountains.

Choral singing in Chaudes-Aigues is a beautiful example of the cultural richness of southern Cantal, where the passion of volunteers keeps music alive in mountain villages.