Fête de la Musique in Auxerre

The Fête de la Musique in Auxerre: The Solstice Night in Music

Created in 1982 by the Ministry of Culture under the impetus of Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret, the Fête de la Musique has become one of France's most popular cultural events. Every year, on June 21st – the day of the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year – millions of people gather throughout France and around the world to celebrate music in all its diversity.

In Auxerre, the prefecture of the Yonne and the capital of Burgundy wines, the Fête de la Musique takes on a special dimension. The beauty of the heritage setting – the Gothic cathedral, Saint-Germain Abbey, the old streets of the episcopal city, the banks of the Yonne – provides an exceptional backdrop for music. Night after night, for over forty years, the city has lit up and resonated with a thousand sounds on June 21st.

A Concert in Every Street

The principle of the Fête de la Musique is simple and universal: free music for everyone, everywhere. In Auxerre, the evening of June 21st sees the streets of the historic center, the squares, the church parvises, the gardens, and the terraces of bars and restaurants transform into ephemeral stages. Dozens of musical groups – amateur bands, school orchestras, the conservatory, parish choirs, professional or semi-professional ensembles – take over public spaces to offer their repertoires to passers-by.

The programming of the Fête de la Musique in Auxerre is intentionally diverse and inclusive:

• Classical Music: quartets, trios, piano recitals, polyphonic choirs in the cloisters and parvises of Auxerre
• Jazz and Blues: outdoor ensembles on the banks of the Yonne or in the streets of the center
• Rock, Pop, and Contemporary Music: local and regional bands in the city's squares and bars
• World Music: groups and artists from communities present in Auxerre, reflecting the city's cultural diversity
• Traditional and Folk Music: pipers, accordionists, and traditional music groups
• Choral Singing: choirs and vocal ensembles from Auxerre's musical associations

The Conservatory and Musical Associations at the Heart of the Celebration

The Conservatoire du Grand Auxerrois plays an essential role in the Fête de la Musique in Auxerre. Its students, of all levels and disciplines, take advantage of June 21st to perform in public for the first time or to present the results of a year's work. This educational and social dimension makes the Fête de la Musique a precious moment for budding musicians and their families.

Numerous Auxerre musical associations – brass bands, harmonies, amateur orchestras, rock bands, traditional music ensembles – also participate, making June 21st a true showcase of local musical life.

Auxerre, City of Culture and Heritage

Auxerre has always had a strong connection with music and the arts. The episcopal city, rich in exceptional architectural heritage, houses places conducive to music: the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne with its 13th-century stained glass windows and remarkable organ, the Abbaye Saint-Germain, the concert hall Le Quai on the banks of the Yonne, and the city's many gardens and green spaces. On June 21st, all these places open their doors to music.