Festival Escales en Musique
World music and artistic creation at the foot of Ballon d'Alsace
About Escales en Musique
A festival born from a passion for arts and territories
The Escales en Musique festival was founded in 2018 by accordionist musician Pascal Contet, under the name Fort en Musique, referencing the Fort Dorsner in Giromagny. From its very first editions, the Fort en Musique association aimed to create an original creative space where renowned artists and local audiences meet in characteristic locations in the heart of the Vosges massif.
A traveling format rooted in villages
The festival's strength lies in its traveling nature: concerts move each day to a different village — Giromagny, Auxelles-Haut, and Rougemont-le-Château — highlighting local architectural heritage, particularly old churches, village squares, and farmyards. Performances mainly take place during the day to minimize environmental impact.
A diverse and demanding program
The festival combines classical music, world music, jazz, and multidisciplinary performances. Gender parity between artists is a founding principle respected from the first edition. Paid concerts — from €18 to €25 — coexist with artist meet-and-greets at a 'pay-what-you-want' price and free workshops for audiences of all ages.
Local support and associative commitment
The Fort en Musique association, chaired by Nathalie Charruau, relies on a team of committed volunteers, technical teams (sound and lighting), and the support of the mayors of the host municipalities. Each edition welcomes national and international artists: renowned chamber music performers, jazz and world music musicians, actors, and storytellers. In 2025, the godmother was actress Marie-Christine Barrault.
A 2025 edition focused on the voice
The 8th edition (August 21-24, 2025) highlighted the voice around the theme Prestige of the Voice. The program included Schubert's Winterreise, singer Serge Kakudji (countertenor), oud player Ihab Radwan, and several intimate concert-meetings in the villages north of Belfort.
Escales en Musique — edition 2026
The 9th edition of the Escales en Musique festival takes place from August 20 to 23, 2026, in the villages north of the Territoire de Belfort (Giromagny, Auxelles-Haut, Rougemont-le-Château), at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace. Founded by accordionist Pascal Contet, this family festival highlights voice and encounters, combining concerts, readings, and moments of exchange with renowned artists in heritage sites.
2026 Edition — 9th Edition
From August 20 to 23, 2026, the Escales en Musique festival offers four days of concerts, readings, and artistic encounters in three communes north of the Territoire de Belfort: Giromagny, Auxelles-Haut, and Rougemont-le-Château. Under the artistic direction of Pascal Contet, the program combines classical and world music, theatre, and flamenco, with significant emphasis on free-participation encounters, often extended by musical improvisations.
Among the highlights: a musical show based on "The Little Prince", a flamenco program, a mandolin/guitar duo with Julien Martineau and Philippe Mouratoglou, the Remiremont Mandolin Orchestra, as well as the 2026 creation "Soudain, ce silence" with Fanny Cottençon and Pascal Contet. Reservations are open on the online ticketing service and on HelloAsso.
Programme Escales en Musique 2026
Thursday, August 20, 2026 — Giromagny (Parc Mazarin)
- 5:00 PM — "The Little Prince" (after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) · musical show with Baptiste de Séverac and Selmaccord
- 6:30 PM — Encounter with Julien Martineau, mandolinist (free participation)
- 8:30 PM — "Flamenco for 2 guitars and voice" · les Frères Dorian and Joan Fernandez (paella food truck from 6 PM)
Friday, August 21, 2026 — Auxelles-Haut
- 5:00 PM — Town Hall Courtyard: Encounter with Fanny Cottençon (actress) and flamenco guitars (free participation)
- 8:00 PM — Church: "Travel Diaries" · mandolin/guitar duo with Julien Martineau and Philippe Mouratoglou
Saturday, August 22, 2026 — Rougemont-le-Château
- 5:00 PM — Salle du Cercle: "Les Demeurées" (after Jeanne Benameur) · reading with Fanny Cottençon
- 8:00 PM — Church: Remiremont Mandolin Orchestra, conducted by Pascal Zaug (31 musicians)
Sunday, August 23, 2026 — Auxelles-Haut
- 11:00 AM — Workshop-concert with Serge Kakudji (countertenor) and Pascal Contet (accordion)
- 12:30 PM — Shared picnic
- 2:00 PM — "Soudain, ce silence" (2026 creation) · reading with Fanny Cottençon and Pascal Contet
Highlights Escales en Musique 2026
- 9th edition of a family festival founded by accordionist Pascal Contet
- Itinerant concerts in three villages of the Territoire de Belfort (Giromagny, Auxelles-Haut, Rougemont-le-Château)
- Free-participation encounters with artists, extended by improvisations
- 2026 creation "Soudain, ce silence" with Fanny Cottençon and Pascal Contet
Prices Escales en Musique 2026
Practical information — Escales en Musique
Practical Information
Locations
Concerts are held in several villages: Giromagny (Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 2 rue de l'Église), Auxelles-Haut, and Rougemont-le-Château.
Access
By car: Giromagny is 15 km northwest of Belfort, accessible via the D465. Parking is available near the concert venues.
By public transport: Optymo network bus lines from Belfort.
Prices
Paid concerts range from €18 to €25. 4-day passes are available. Artist meet-and-greets are 'pay-what-you-want'. Free workshops.
Ticketing
Book online via HelloAsso or on-site before each concert.
Contact
Association Fort en Musique — contact via www.escalesenmusique.com
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Where does it take place — Escales en Musique
Itinérant — Giromagny, Auxelles-Haut, Rougemont-le-Château
2 rue de l'Église, 90200 Giromagny