Festival du Solstice
Eclectic and free music festival at the foot of the Beaulieu-lès-Loches abbey
2026
About Le Solstice
Le Solstice — edition 2026
The Festival du Solstice celebrates its 36th edition on June 25, 26, and 27, 2026, at the town hall square in Beaulieu-lès-Loches, right at the foot of the Sainte-Trinité Abbey. Three evenings of completely free concerts will feature seventeen artists, ranging from rock and electro to cumbia, samba, and unclassifiable projects: EKL, Stick 7, Tracknard, Ady One Woman Band, Crête & Moustache, and SMYU on Thursday; a 100% female-led FULL GIRL night on Friday with Both Sides, Molow, Mainlie Karma, Cumbia Boom Box, and Luneris; followed by Avenir Musical de Verneuil, Deukatset, Karbonyx, Saravah, Poolidor, and Rubin Steiner on Saturday. Families are invited on Saturday at 4:30 PM for an immersive headphone show by the Cie Magic Meeting.
Three days of free concerts at the foot of the abbey
From Thursday, June 25, to Saturday, June 27, 2026, the town hall square in Beaulieu-lès-Loches transforms into a festival site for the 36th edition of the Solstice. Seventeen artists will perform over three evenings, with a lineup that intentionally blends genres: rock, electro, cumbia, samba, hybrid music, and unique projects all share the stage, featuring local discoveries alongside national headliners. Admission is free for all three days, with no tickets or reservations required—a founding principle the organizing association has never wavered from. Concerts begin at 7:00 PM on Thursday and Friday, and start in the afternoon on Saturday, continuing until midnight.
A FULL GIRL night on Friday
On Friday, June 26, the Solstice is handing over its main stage entirely to female artists. This FULL GIRL night, billed by organizers as the highlight of this year's edition, features Both Sides, Molow, Mainlie Karma, Cumbia Boom Box, and Luneris. The Cumbia Boom Box collective, which has included Beaulieu-lès-Loches in its 2026 tour, will bring its signature Latin rhythms and sound system energy to the stage.
Les Enfants du Solstice and Cie Magic Meeting
Saturday afternoon is dedicated to families with Les Enfants du Solstice. At 4:30 PM at the town hall square, the Cie Magic Meeting will present an immersive, participatory street theater show using headphones: Mr. and Mrs. Dumollet take the audience on a journey through the final decade of the century, from the rise of the internet and video games to the Channel Tunnel and the Y2K bug, all set to a soundtrack of hip-hop, grunge, and French Touch. With headphones on, participants become performers in a sonic adventure blending physical expression, humor, and music. The company has been creating these types of collective performances since 2012.
A village square turned into a party space
The entire Place du Maréchal Leclerc, located at the foot of the 11th-century Sainte-Trinité Abbey, becomes the festival's playground. Food and drink stalls are set up on-site, offering local cuisine, craft beers, and regional wines. The historic setting of the village, its streets, and its surroundings welcome audiences of all generations from Beaulieu-lès-Loches, Loches, and the entire southern Touraine region.
A festival powered by the Amis de Saint-Laurent
The Solstice is organized by the Amis de Saint-Laurent (ADSL) association, founded in the summer of 1985 to help restore the Saint-Laurent church before shifting its focus to organizing cultural events. Its first Solstice, an artistic and multidisciplinary festival, was held in 1986. Since then, the event has taken place outdoors in the village square, featuring a rotating mix of concerts, exhibitions, and children's shows, while also utilizing various heritage sites throughout the town.
Highlights Le Solstice 2026
- 36th edition of the Solstice on June 25, 26, and 27, 2026, at the Beaulieu-lès-Loches town hall square, at the foot of the Sainte-Trinité Abbey.
- Seventeen artists over three completely free evenings: rock, electro, cumbia, samba, and hybrid music.
- FULL GIRL night on Friday, June 26: main stage featuring a 100% female lineup with Both Sides, Molow, Mainlie Karma, Cumbia Boom Box, and Luneris.
- Rubin Steiner closes the Saturday, June 27 lineup, alongside Poolidor, Saravah, Karbonyx, Deukatset, and Avenir Musical de Verneuil.
- Les Enfants du Solstice on Saturday afternoon: immersive headphone show by Cie Magic Meeting at 4:30 PM at the town hall square.
- Food and drink available on-site all three days, featuring craft beers and local products.
Programme Le Solstice 2026
Thursday, June 25, 2026 — from 7:00 PM
- EKL · Town hall square stage
- Stick 7 · Town hall square stage
- Tracknard · Town hall square stage
- Ady One Woman Band · Town hall square stage
- Crête & Moustache · Town hall square stage
- SMYU · Town hall square stage
Friday, June 26, 2026 — FULL GIRL night, from 7:00 PM
- Both Sides · 100% female vocal lineup
- Molow · 100% female vocal lineup
- Mainlie Karma · 100% female vocal lineup
- Cumbia Boom Box · 100% female vocal lineup
- Luneris · 100% female vocal lineup
Saturday, June 27, 2026 — from 4:00 PM
- 4:30 PM — Cie Magic Meeting · Children's headphone show · Town hall square
- Avenir Musical de Verneuil · Town hall square stage
- Deukatset · Town hall square stage
- Karbonyx · Town hall square stage
- Saravah · Town hall square stage
- Poolidor · Town hall square stage
- Rubin Steiner · Town hall square stage
Prices Le Solstice 2026
Le Solstice — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 25 June to 27 June 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Le Solstice
Practical Information
Location and Access
The Festival du Solstice takes place outdoors at the Place de la Mairie (Place du Maréchal Leclerc), right at the foot of the Sainte-Trinité Abbey in Beaulieu-lès-Loches (37600). The village is located next to Loches, in the south of Touraine, and the town center streets as well as the area surrounding the abbey are used throughout the festival.
Admission
Admission is completely free, with no tickets or reservations required for any of the festival days. Only food and drinks at the bar are available for purchase.
Food and Drink
On-site bar and catering, featuring local cuisine, craft beers, and regional wines.
For Families
A special time for families, "Les Enfants du Solstice," is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, featuring a show for young audiences at the Place de la Mairie.
Contact
Association des Amis de Saint-Laurent (ADSL), Mairie de Beaulieu-lès-Loches, 8 place du Maréchal Leclerc, 37600 Beaulieu-lès-Loches — [email protected]. Real-time program and information available at www.solstice-festival.com, on the "Solstice de Beaulieu" Facebook page, and on Instagram @solsticedebeaulieu. Mairie de Beaulieu-lès-Loches: 02 47 91 94 94.
The Festival du Solstice: The Fête de la Musique in Beaulieu-lès-Loches
The Festival du Solstice is an emblematic musical event in the south of Touraine, rooted for over 35 years in the cultural landscape of Beaulieu-lès-Loches. Every year around the summer solstice, this free festival transforms the town center and the surroundings of the abbey church of Sainte-Trinité into a space for celebration and musical discovery. Supported by a dynamic association celebrating its 40th anniversary, Le Solstice embodies the spirit of the Fête de la Musique in all its generosity.
A Rich and Eclectic Musical Program
The festival offers about fifteen concerts over three days, covering a wide musical spectrum: rock, French chanson, world music, jazz, electronic music, folk, and many other genres. The program alternates between established artists and new discoveries, with particular attention paid to the diversity of styles and origins. Recent editions have notably featured themed evenings, such as a 100% female voice night, demonstrating the festival's commitment to artistic plurality.
An Exceptional Heritage Setting
The concerts take place at the foot of the majestic abbey of Sainte-Trinité, founded in the 11th century by Foulques Nerra, Count of Anjou. This historic monument provides a remarkable architectural setting that enhances the musical experience. The Place du Maréchal Leclerc and the adjacent streets of this picturesque town in the Lochois region also host stages, stalls, and entertainment, creating a festive village atmosphere.
Much More Than a Music Festival
Beyond the concerts, Le Solstice offers a market of artisans and creators, stalls from local associations, food highlighting local products, and craft beers. Live and participatory shows punctuate the days, with activities for children on Saturday afternoons. The festival also organizes life-size games in the streets of Beaulieu, such as fun historical investigations, contributing to the vitality of the local heritage.
A Free and Intergenerational Festival
The total freeness of the festival is a founding choice that has never been questioned. This accessibility allows all audiences, from families to seasoned music lovers, to enjoy a quality program without financial barriers. Le Solstice is above all a popular festival, a moment of sharing and conviviality that brings together the inhabitants of Beaulieu-lès-Loches and the entire Lochois region around music and meeting.
Where does it take place — Le Solstice
Le Solstice in brief
Other festivals near Beaulieu-lès-Loches
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