Guitare Vallée Festival
Guitar in all its forms in the Gier Valley
About Guitare Vallée
The Guitare Vallée Festival is a multidisciplinary festival dedicated to guitar in all its forms, held every winter from mid-January to February in the Gier Valley (Loire). Created in 2004 on the initiative of the MJCs of Rive-de-Gier, Saint-Chamond, Saint-Martin-la-Plaine, and Cellieu, this traveling festival offers concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, competitions, masterclasses, and open stages for about ten days, celebrating guitar in all styles: classical, jazz, blues, rock, folk, flamenco, French chanson, swing, and world music. Supported by a network of MJCs, conservatories, and media libraries, Guitare Vallée attracts over a thousand spectators each year in several towns in the valley.
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Guitar in all its forms in the heart of the Gier Valley
Born in 2004 from the common will of the MJC of Rive-de-Gier, Saint-Chamond, Saint-Martin-la-Plaine, and Cellieu, the Guitare Vallée Festival has become, over the years, a benchmark in the world of guitar and music. The result of fruitful collaboration between the towns of the Gier Valley, this unique winter festival highlights the king of instruments in all its forms and musical styles.
A traveling and multidisciplinary festival
What makes Guitare Vallée unique is its traveling and multidisciplinary nature. For about ten days, from mid-January to February, the guitar takes over the performance halls, media libraries, conservatories, and cultural venues of several towns in the valley. The festival offers about twenty varied events: concerts in all styles (classical, jazz, blues, rock, folk, flamenco, swing, world music, French chanson), artistic exhibitions, film screenings and documentaries, classical guitar competitions organized by partner conservatories, masterclasses, open stages, and shows for young audiences.
A network of partners for the guitar
Guitare Vallée brings together a large network of cultural and educational partners. The MJC of the valley are the driving force, but the festival also involves the conservatories of Rive-de-Gier, Saint-Chamond, Saint-Étienne, Andrézieux, and Roanne, the media libraries of the Itinérances network, as well as numerous associative and municipal structures. Each year, new towns join the collective, expanding the festival's reach. In 2019, during the 16th edition, seven towns participated in the festival with about twenty concerts programmed in twelve different venues.
A springboard for young talent
Beyond concerts by established artists, the festival places great importance on transmission and education. Students from the guitar classes of partner conservatories are regularly invited to perform alongside professional composers and performers. Original creations are commissioned from composers to be performed by these young musicians in concerts blending classical guitar, flamenco, and world music. The national classical guitar competition, organized in partnership with the conservatories, is a highlight of the festival and contributes to its influence beyond the Gier Valley.
Guitare Vallée — edition 2026
23rd edition of the Guitare Vallée Festival in the Gier Valley. Closing concert on February 1, 2026, at Salle Jean Dasté in Rive-de-Gier with composer and performer Eddy Rabilloud and students from partner conservatories' guitar classes, who will perform 'La Suite arabo-andalouse,' a creation blending classical and flamenco guitar. Concerts, exhibitions, cinema, competitions, and masterclasses.
23rd Edition: See You from Mid-January to February 2026
The Guitare Vallée Festival returns for its 23rd edition from mid-January to February 1, 2026, in the Gier Valley. The festival continues its mission to celebrate guitar in all its forms through a rich and varied program blending concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, competitions, and masterclasses.
Closing Concert: La Suite arabo-andalouse
The highlight of this edition will be the closing concert on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 3:30 PM at the Salle Jean Dasté in Rive-de-Gier. Composer and performer Eddy Rabilloud and students from the guitar classes of the partner conservatories of Rive-de-Gier, Saint-Chamond, and Saint-Étienne will perform 'La Suite arabo-andalouse,' an original composition written especially for the occasion, subtly blending classical and flamenco guitar. This concert is free upon reservation.
As every year, the festival will also offer professional concerts in various styles, a guitar competition, exhibitions, screenings, and open stages in several towns in the valley. The full program will be unveiled in early January 2026.
Programme Guitare Vallée 2026
2026 Program (Partial)
Sunday, February 1, 2026
- 3:30 PM: Closing Concert — La Suite arabo-andalouse, composition by Eddy Rabilloud. Performed by Eddy Rabilloud and students from the guitar classes of partner conservatories (Rive-de-Gier, Saint-Chamond, Saint-Étienne). Classical and flamenco guitar. Salle Jean Dasté, Rive-de-Gier. Free upon reservation.
Full program to be consulted on the MJC of Rive-de-Gier website and the festival's social media.
Highlights Guitare Vallée 2026
- 23rd edition of the Gier Valley guitar festival
- Closing concert: La Suite arabo-andalouse by Eddy Rabilloud
- Original creation blending classical and flamenco guitar
- Students from partner conservatories on stage
- Concerts in all styles: classical, jazz, blues, rock, folk
- Classical guitar competition
- Exhibitions, documentary screenings, and open stages
- Full program to be unveiled in early January 2026
Prices Guitare Vallée 2026
Practical information — Guitare Vallée
Practical Information
Access
The Guitare Vallée Festival takes place in several towns in the Gier Valley, in the Loire department (42). The main concert venues are located in Rive-de-Gier and Saint-Chamond.
- By car: Rive-de-Gier is located 30 km northeast of Saint-Étienne and 40 km southwest of Lyon, via the A47 motorway. Exit Rive-de-Gier.
- By train: Rive-de-Gier station, served by TER Lyon-Saint-Étienne (about 30 minutes from Lyon Part-Dieu and 20 minutes from Saint-Étienne Châteaucreux).
Main Venues
- Salle Jean Dasté, 8 Place du Général Valluy, 42800 Rive-de-Gier (470 seats).
- MJC of Rive-de-Gier - Théâtre Couzon, 25 Rue Antoine Marrel, 42800 Rive-de-Gier (150 seats).
- MJC of Saint-Chamond, Saint-Chamond.
- Media libraries of the Itinérances network (Rive-de-Gier, Saint-Chamond, Cellieu).
Prices
- Many events are free upon reservation (concerts with conservatory students, exhibitions, film screenings).
- Paid concerts: prices vary depending on the event.
- A festival pass is offered: the first ticket purchased at full price gives access to other dates at a reduced price.
Ticketing
Online booking at lespetitsbillets.neopse.com and on-site on the evening of the concerts (subject to availability).
Contact
- Phone: 04 77 75 04 19 (MJC of Rive-de-Gier)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.mjcrivedegier42.com
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Guitare Vallée at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Guitare Vallée
Salle Jean Dasté
8 Place du Général Valluy, 42800 Rive-de-Gier