Fnac Live

Fnac Live: The Free Music Celebration in the Heart of Paris

Launched in 2011, Fnac Live is the successor to the Fnac Indétendances festival, which had animated Paris Plages every summer since 2004. By moving to the prestigious parvis of the Hôtel de Ville, the festival gained visibility and ambition, becoming in a few editions one of the most important free music events in France.

Organized jointly by Fnac and the City of Paris, Fnac Live brings together nearly 100,000 spectators each year over three days of free concerts. The festival embodies a generous vision of culture: making live music accessible to everyone, without distinction, in the heart of the capital.

A Generous and Eclectic Program

The Fnac Live program, curated since its first edition by Nicolas Preschey, reflects the richness and diversity of the French and international music scene. Around 30 artists perform on the Grande Scène on the parvis and in the Salons of the Hôtel de Ville, offering a complete panorama of contemporary music.

Over the years, the festival has hosted major artists such as Air, St. Vincent, Christine and the Queens, Stromae, Angèle, Eddy de Pretto, Olivia Ruiz, Miossec, Vladimir Cauchemar, Iliona, and Zamdane. The strength of Fnac Live lies in mixing international headliners and discoveries, established artists and emerging talents, all in the same evening.

The Parvis of the Hôtel de Ville: An Exceptional Stage

The choice of the parvis of the Hôtel de Ville as the festival venue is not accidental. This emblematic esplanade, recently greened, offers a unique setting in the heart of historic Paris. The Grande Scène, set up facing the majestic facade of the Hôtel de Ville, provides a spectacular backdrop for the evening concerts, while the Salons of the Hôtel de Ville host more intimate performances.

An Accessible and Popular Festival

Free access is at the core of the Fnac Live project. In a festival landscape where ticket prices continue to rise, the festival bets on total accessibility. Concerts run from 5 PM to midnight, allowing Parisians and tourists to enjoy a quality program after work or while strolling through the center of Paris.

A Launchpad for Emerging Artists

Beyond the headliners, Fnac Live plays an important role as a launchpad for developing artists. Many musicians who performed on the Fnac Live stage when they were still little-known have since become major figures on the French scene. In this regard, the festival benefits from the expertise of Fnac record store staff, whose deep knowledge of music scenes enriches the programming.