Festival des Illuminés
Music and French song festival in Aix-en-Issart
About Les Illuminés
Thirty years of music in Aix-en-Issart
Since the early 1990s, the Festival des Illuminés has transformed the small village of Aix-en-Issart into a major music venue in the Pas-de-Calais region every summer. Driven by the Les Illuminés association and its president Bernard Libersa, this human-sized festival has maintained its popular and friendly spirit over more than thirty editions.
An eclectic festival
The programming of the Festival des Illuminés gives pride of place to French chanson while opening up to the most varied contemporary music: rock, pop, electro, reggae, folk, and many other styles follow one another on the stage of the Place des Marronniers. The festival hosts both emerging artists and more established bands, with a preference for discoveries and developing talents.
The concert at the Saint-Pierre church
Each edition offers a moment of grace with a free concert at the Saint-Pierre church in Aix-en-Issart on Sunday afternoon. In this remarkable intimate and acoustic setting, an artist performs a softer, more contemplative repertoire, offering a peaceful counterpoint to the festive evenings on the Place des Marronniers.
A village spirit
One of the charms of the Festival des Illuminés lies in its village roots. Aix-en-Issart, a community of a few hundred inhabitants nestled in the hills of Montreuillois, offers a bucolic and authentic setting. The Place des Marronniers, shaded by centuries-old trees, transforms for a weekend into an open-air concert hall where a warm and relaxed atmosphere reigns.
An associative and volunteer event
The Festival des Illuminés is entirely run by passionate volunteers. The Les Illuminés association ensures the organization, programming, logistics, and reception of festival-goers with unwavering commitment. A refreshment bar and on-site catering allow for complete evenings in a festive and family atmosphere. The festival perpetuates the spirit of village festivals while offering quality musical programming.
Les Illuminés — edition 2026
33rd edition of the Festival des Illuminés, from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, 2026, on the Place des Marronniers in Aix-en-Issart (Pas-de-Calais). Three days of open-air music in a friendly, village atmosphere, featuring French chanson and contemporary music, with Les Wampas and Debout sur le Zinc as headliners.
33rd Edition of the Festival des Illuminés
Organized by the Club d'Animation Les Illuminés, the festival returns to Aix-en-Issart from July 17 to 19, 2026, for its 33rd edition. The program unfolds across several open-air stages on the Place des Marronniers, as well as at the village church for the Sunday afternoon jazz event.
2026 Headliners: Les Wampas (Friday) and Debout sur le Zinc (Saturday) on the main stage, accompanied by numerous French chanson, rock, and contemporary music acts. The festival maintains its family-friendly and village spirit, with its traditional mussels and fries day on Sunday.
Programme Les Illuminés 2026
Friday, July 17, 2026
- 18:45 — Otone
- 20:00 — Dirty Old Mat
- 21:00 — Baika
- 22:15 — Les Wampas
- 00:00 — DJ Grego
- 00:30 — Storm
Saturday, July 18, 2026
- 19:00 — Fredogres
- 20:30 — Parole de Barde
- 21:00 — Debout sur le Zinc
- 22:30 — Atlas Karma
- 23:00 — La Brigade du Kif
- 00:30 — DJ Benji
- 01:00 — Saxy Trombone
Sunday, July 19, 2026
- 16:00 — Opus One Big Band (at the church)
- 18:30 — Terrain Vague
- 19:45 — Dragon Juice Band
- 20:30 — Les Fils du Facteur
- 22:00 — Color Snake
- 22:45 — Les P'tits Yeux
Highlights Les Illuminés 2026
- Les Wampas headlining on Friday evening
- Debout sur le Zinc on Saturday evening
- Jazz concert by Opus One Big Band at the church on Sunday afternoon
- Family day on Sunday with free admission and mussels and fries
Prices Les Illuminés 2026
Practical information — Les Illuminés
Festival location
The Festival des Illuminés takes place on the Place des Marronniers, in the heart of the village of Aix-en-Issart (62170), in a green setting shaded by centuries-old trees. The Sunday concert takes place at the Saint-Pierre church in Aix-en-Issart, whose acoustics provide a remarkable setting for intimate concerts.
Access
- By car: From Montreuil-sur-Mer (10 min), take the D113 towards Aix-en-Issart. From Boulogne-sur-Mer (40 min), take the A16 exit 26, then follow the direction of Montreuil-sur-Mer and Aix-en-Issart. From Le Touquet-Paris-Plage (30 min), D939 then D113. From Arras (1h), A26 then direction Montreuil. Free parking in the village and surrounding areas. It is recommended to arrive early in the evening to easily find a spot.
- By train: The nearest stations are Étaples-Le Touquet (20 km, TGV and TER) and Rang-du-Fliers (15 km, TGV). From these stations, you need to continue by car or taxi. Carpooling is often organized by festival-goers via the festival's social media.
Dates and times
The festival takes place every year on the third weekend of July, from Friday evening to Sunday. Concerts generally start in the late afternoon or evening on the Place des Marronniers. The concert at the Saint-Pierre church takes place on Sunday at 4 PM.
Ticketing
Online ticketing on the HelloAsso and BAM-Ticket platforms. It is advisable to book tickets in advance, as places are limited. The Sunday concert at the Saint-Pierre church is free and open access subject to availability.
Catering and refreshments
A refreshment bar and on-site catering are offered throughout the festival, with simple dishes and drinks at moderate prices. The festival spirit promotes conviviality and sharing over a drink or a meal outdoors under the chestnut trees.
Accommodation
As Aix-en-Issart is a small village, accommodation options are limited on-site. Gîtes, bed and breakfasts, and campsites are available in the surrounding area, particularly in Montreuil-sur-Mer and the Canche valley. It is strongly recommended to book in advance.
Contact
Association Les Illuminés — Aix-en-Issart (62170)
Facebook: Festival des Illuminés
Instagram: @festivaldesillumines
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Where does it take place — Les Illuminés
Place des Marronniers
Place des Marronniers, 62170 Aix-en-Issart