Festival International Guitares à Pleaux

The guitar in all its forms in the heart of the Cantal

Born in July 2022 under the impetus of the Delamarre family, the Festival International Guitares à Pleaux is a unique summer event dedicated to the guitar in all its diversity. Founded by two passionate brothers, Adrien Delamarre, a classical guitarist, and François Delamarre, a sound engineer, the festival was born from their desire to share their passion with the inhabitants and summer visitors of the Cantal village of Pleaux, where their parents had settled after returning from their studies at the University of Leeds in England.

An eclectic and convivial festival

What sets Guitares à Pleaux apart from other guitar festivals is its unapologetic eclecticism. Gypsy jazz, blues, rock, classical music, folk, fingerstyle, Portuguese fado, tango, African music, and French song are featured in a rich and varied program. The festival hosts artists of several nationalities—French, Swiss, Austrian, English, Indian, and of course from Cantal—creating a true international musical melting pot in the heart of the Auvergne countryside.

Much more than just concerts

The festival unfolds around three complementary axes. Concerts form the core of the program, with eight performances spread over four days, from Thursday to Sunday. Masterclasses open to the public allow everyone to discover or deepen their knowledge of a particular style: gypsy jazz, guitar recording techniques, classical guitar, fingerpicking, or fado. Intensive workshops on songwriting and guitar accompaniment complete the educational offerings for musicians of all levels.

A village that vibrates to the sound of the guitar

The festival is not confined to the Salle du Temps Libre, the main venue for concerts and masterclasses. It takes over the entire village of Pleaux with an Off Festival open to all guitarists on the village square every morning, luthier exhibitions in the hall, and concerts for young audiences. The invited musicians are hosted by local families, a feature that strengthens the bonds between artists and the local population and contributes to the warm and family-friendly atmosphere of the event.

Strong territorial roots

In January 2023, after the human and musical success of the first edition, the team created the Festival Guitares à Pleaux association, chaired by Sabrina Delamarre, to ensure the event's longevity and anchor it firmly in the region. The festival benefits from the support of the municipality of Pleaux and the tourist offices of Pays de Salers and Pays d'Aurillac. Each edition confirms the growing influence of this young festival, which attracts a loyal audience of local residents, passionate guitarists, and curious summer visitors eager to discover the rich musicality of the guitar in an exceptional natural setting.