Festival des Lavoirs

A Summer Festival in the Heart of Provençal Heritage

Since 2008, the Festival des Lavoirs has brought the square of the century-old washhouses of Sainte-Tulle, a charming village in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, to life every summer. Organized by the municipality, this free and popular event has established itself over the years as one of the unmissable musical events of the summer in the department. The old communal washhouses, with their stone vaults illuminated for the occasion, offer a unique and intimate setting for open-air concert evenings.

An Eclectic and Generous Musical Program

The festival's signature lies in the diversity of its programming. Each edition offers four to five consecutive evenings in July, with artists and groups from various musical backgrounds: French chanson, jazz, blues, rock, world music, Corsican polyphony, Cuban folklore, salsa, pop, and variety music. Among the artists who have performed over the years are I Campagnoli (Corsican polyphony), Pulsatilla (female polyphony), Les Barbeaux (rock), Camagua (Cuban folklore), Bleu Coyote, Morenica, the Ballet Folklorique de La Paz, Kanazoé Orkestra (Burkinabe folklore), and Wepa Wepa French Touch NZ.

A Place Steeped in History

The Place des Lavoirs, also known as the Ruelle des Lavoirs, is a remarkable architectural heritage of Sainte-Tulle. These century-old washhouses, once a place of daily life for the inhabitants, are transformed into an open-air performance venue for the duration of the festival. The stone vaults, beautifully lit, create a magical and warm atmosphere that delights both music lovers and heritage enthusiasts. The natural acoustics of the place are wonderfully suited to both acoustic and amplified concerts.

A Free, Friendly, and Accessible Event

True to its popular vocation, the Festival des Lavoirs is entirely free. Concerts start at 9 PM each evening, and a refreshment stand is available to cool off throughout the evening. The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility as well as to people with visual and hearing impairments. The event attracts a family and multi-generational audience each year, in a relaxed, typically Provençal atmosphere.

Strong Territorial Roots

The Festival des Lavoirs is part of the cultural dynamic driven by the municipality of Sainte-Tulle and the Scènes de Haute Provence network. It showcases local heritage while opening up to music from around the world. The local Music School also participates in the festivities, strengthening the link between the festival and the cultural life of the village.