Festival Paroles & Musiques
Chanson in all its forms in Saint-Étienne
About Paroles & Musiques
Created in 1992 under the patronage of Léo Ferré and the direction of Marc Javelle, the Festival Paroles & Musiques is the unmissable event for French chanson in Saint-Étienne. Every year in May, for six days, the festival programs around forty artists, mixing headliners and discoveries, true to its philosophy of dedicating half of its programming to new talents. From La Comète to the Zénith, the festival takes over the city's cultural venues. Directed by Simon Javelle, it has showcased Eddy de Pretto, M, Hoshi, Clara Luciani, and Bénabar.
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The Festival Paroles & Musiques: thirty years of chanson in Saint-Étienne
Since 1992, the Festival Paroles & Musiques has been the major event for francophone chanson in Saint-Étienne. Born from an initiative by Marc Javelle, under the patronage of Léo Ferré, the festival was launched in the intimate setting of Salle Jeanne d'Arc, with the aim of introducing the public to French chanson, which was then little known and underestimated.
A history of artistic discoveries
From its very first editions, Paroles & Musiques established itself as a launchpad for emerging artists. The first edition in 1992 featured Leny Escudero, Chanson Plus Bifluorée, and Nilda Fernandez. Between 1997 and 1999, the arrival of Simon Javelle as co-programmer marked a turning point with the opening of the Magic Mirrors and the emergence of the "new French scene": Dominique A, Bénabar, Têtes Raides, La Tordue.
In the 2000s, the festival accompanied the rise of talents who would become major figures on the French music scene: Yann Tiersen, Mickey 3D, Jeanne Cherhal, M, Mano Solo, Loïc Lantoine. More recently, the festival has helped to reveal Eddy de Pretto, Hoshi, Clara Luciani, Pomme, and many others, some of whom later returned to triumph on the Zénith stage.
Controlled growth
In 2005, the festival moved into larger venues – the Palais des Spectacles and Hall C – and developed innovative cultural programs: Paroles sans Musique (readings in bars), the Apéros Crescendo (free concerts by emerging bands in city bars), and Paroles et Musiques en Liberté (writing workshops and concerts in correctional facilities).
In 2009, the arrival of the Zénith de Saint-Étienne allowed the festival to reach a new level by hosting headliners in front of several thousand spectators. In 2014, Simon Javelle took over the direction after Marc Javelle's departure, giving new momentum to the programming.
A festival rooted in its territory
The 30th anniversary edition in 2022, after two cancellations due to Covid-19, marked a return to the festival's core values with a refocus on the city center of Saint-Étienne. The festival programmed 47 artists, including 60% discoveries and 16 local bands, confirming its commitment to the emerging scene and the local music scene in Saint-Étienne.
A program balancing intimacy and large spaces
Today, the Festival Paroles & Musiques spans six days across several emblematic venues in Saint-Étienne:
- La Comète: an intimate venue hosting weekday evenings with rising artists
- Le Fil: a contemporary music stage for Friday concerts
- Le Zénith de Saint-Étienne: for the big weekend evenings with headliners
- Le Solar: for opening acts and emerging artists
- Paroles de Zinc: free concerts in the bars and cafes of the city center
This diversity of venues allows the festival to maintain its original spirit of proximity while offering an ambitious program, from intimate chanson to pop-rock concerts for thousands of spectators.
Paroles & Musiques — edition 2026
The 35th edition of the Festival Paroles & Musiques will take place from May 18 to 24, 2026, in Saint-Étienne. The festival will take over La Comète, Le Solar, Le Fil, and the Zénith with a program mixing established artists and discoveries: Feu! Chatterton, Vincent Delerm, Terrenoire, Georgio, Solann, Vincent Dedienne, Sam Sauvage, Miki, and many others.
35th edition - May 18 to 24, 2026
The Festival Paroles & Musiques returns for its 35th edition from May 18 to 24, 2026. Seven days of concerts and musical discoveries across Saint-Étienne's venues, with an ambitious program mixing established artists and emerging talents.
La Comète (May 18-21)
Weekday evenings at La Comète will feature intimate performances with:
- Monday, May 18: Vincent Delerm + Gildaa
- Tuesday, May 19: Sam Sauvage + Felix Radu
- Wednesday, May 20: Vincent Dedienne + Malaka
- Thursday, May 21: Solann + Brique Argent
Le Solar (May 18-21)
In the early evening, Le Solar will host emerging artists with concerts at 6:30 PM.
Le Fil - Friday, May 22
Miki + Romsii will take the stage at Le Fil for a contemporary music night.
Zénith de Saint-Étienne (May 23-24)
The two final evenings at the Zénith will feature the headliners of this edition:
- Saturday, May 23 – 7:00 PM: Georgio + Yuston XIII + Yoa
- Sunday, May 24 – 6:00 PM: Feu! Chatterton + Terrenoire + Dinaa
A weekend pass will be available for the evenings at Le Fil and the Zénith. Paroles de Zinc will animate the city center bars with free concerts, including Danyl.
Programme Paroles & Musiques 2026
Program 2026
Le Solar (6:30 PM)
- Monday, May 18: Steve Ibrahim + Juliette Magnevasoa
- Tuesday, May 19: Ciel (c!el) + Alex Montembault
- Wednesday, May 20: Lisa Claudie + Alma Rechtman
- Thursday, May 21: Teddybear + Perséphoné
La Comète (8:30 PM)
- Monday, May 18: Vincent Delerm + Gildaa — €35
- Tuesday, May 19: Sam Sauvage + Felix Radu — €29
- Wednesday, May 20: Vincent Dedienne + Malaka — €35
- Thursday, May 21: Solann + Brique Argent — €29
Le Fil (8:30 PM)
- Friday, May 22: Miki + Romsii — €31
Zénith de Saint-Étienne
- Saturday, May 23 – 7:00 PM: Georgio + Yuston XIII + Yoa — €37
- Sunday, May 24 – 6:00 PM: Feu! Chatterton + Terrenoire + Dinaa — €40
Paroles de Zinc and free events
Free concerts in the bars and cafes of the city center. Danyl in a free concert.
Highlights Paroles & Musiques 2026
Announced Highlights for 2026
- Feu! Chatterton headlining the Zénith for the festival's closing
- Terrenoire, the Saint-Étienne duo, returning to their hometown at the Zénith
- Vincent Delerm in the intimacy of La Comète to open the festival
- Vincent Dedienne, comedian and actor, on the stage of La Comète
- Georgio and Yuston XIII at the Zénith for a night of rap and urban music
- Solann, pop revelation of the year, at La Comète
- Yoa, revelation of the Victoires de la Musique 2025, at the Zénith
Prices Paroles & Musiques 2026
Practical information — Paroles & Musiques
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Saint-Étienne is accessible via the A72 motorway from Lyon (approx. 1h) and the A75 from Clermont-Ferrand (approx. 2h). The main festival venues (La Comète, Le Fil, Zénith) have nearby parking facilities.
By train: Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux station is served by TGV from Paris (approx. 3h) and by TER from Lyon (approx. 50 min). The performance venues are accessible by tram from the station.
By tram: The STAS network serves all festival venues. La Comète is accessible from the "Bellevue" stop, Le Fil from the "Gare de Châteaucreux" stop, and the Zénith from line T1.
Ticketing
Indicative prices:
- La Comète evenings: from €27 to €35
- Le Fil evening: from €27
- Zénith evenings: from €36 to €46
- Le Solar and Paroles de Zinc concerts: free or pay-what-you-want
- Weekend pass available for Le Fil and Zénith evenings
Solidarity rate (-50%): children under 12, job seekers, RSA beneficiaries.
Reduced rate: students under 26, associations, works councils.
Points of sale:
- Festival ticket office: 2 rue de la Richelandière, 42100 Saint-Étienne — Monday: 2 PM-6 PM / Tuesday-Friday: 9 AM-12 PM and 2 PM-6 PM — Tel: 04 77 20 04 86 — Email: [email protected]
- Online: ckelprod.trium.fr
- Fnac Spectacles, See Tickets, Ticketmaster
Contact
PM Production
3 rue de la Télématique — 42000 Saint-Étienne
Phone: 04 77 20 04 86
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.festivalpm.com
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Paroles & Musiques
La Comète, Le Fil, Zénith de Saint-Étienne et divers lieux
7 avenue Président Émile Loubet, 42000 Saint-Étienne