Freemusic Festival
Music festival on the shore of Lake Montendre (Charente-Maritime)
About Freemusic
The Freemusic Festival is an emblematic musical event in Charente-Maritime, organized annually on the shore of Lake Baron Desqueyroux in Montendre. Created in 2004 and supported by the Belle Factory association, for over twenty years it has brought together thousands of festival-goers around an eclectic program mixing French song, reggae, electro, dub, hip-hop, and contemporary music.
The festival stands out for its exceptional natural setting — pine forest, lake, and beach — and its "feet in the water" concept which combines concerts, pool parties, food trucks, and an associative village (Feel Free Village). Several stages coexist: the Fire Stage for headliners, the Moonlight Area for nocturnal electro sets, as well as the Mayarena and the Pool Party for more festive atmospheres.
An emblematic festival of Haute-Saintonge
The Freemusic Festival has been held since 2004 on the shore of Lake Baron Desqueyroux in Montendre, Charente-Maritime (17). Organized by Belle Factory, it has established itself as one of the major summer music events in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, attracting thousands of festival-goers each year who come to enjoy a festive weekend in the heart of the Saintonge pine forest.
An eclectic program
The festival offers a program that mixes French song, reggae, electro, dub, hip-hop, and contemporary music, with French-speaking and international headliners. Over the editions, artists such as Claudio Capéo, Biga*Ranx, Jahneration, La Ruda, Soom T, Tetra Hydro K, and many other artists representative of the current music scene have performed there.
Several stages and areas
The site is organized into several thematic zones:
- Fire Stage: the main stage for headliners
- Moonlight Area: the nocturnal stage dedicated to electro and DJ sets
- Feel Free Village: the associative village and catering
- Mayarena: alternative space
- Pool Party: swimming atmosphere and lakeside concerts
A unique natural setting
Lake Baron Desqueyroux offers an exceptional setting: sandy beach, supervised swimming, shaded pine forest, and the possibility of camping on site. The "feet in the water" concept has become the festival's signature, combining music, relaxation, swimming, and conviviality.
Camping and accommodation
Several camping options are available on site: the Freemusic campsite under the pines, accessible to adult festival-goers, the Family campsite for families with children, and the Converted Vehicles campsite. Alternative accommodations (gîtes, hotels, bed and breakfasts) in Haute-Saintonge complete the offer.
Freemusic — edition 2026
The Freemusic Festival 2026 returns on June 19 and 20, 2026 by the shores of Lake Baron Desqueyroux in Montendre (Charente-Maritime). For this new edition, after more than 25 years of existence, the festival presents an eclectic program featuring Claudio Capéo, Biga*Ranx, Jahneration, La Ruda, Soom T, THK, Flymeon, Luiza, Cachemire and many other artists spread across the Fire Stage and the Moonlight Area.
Freemusic Festival — 2026 Edition
On June 19 and 20, 2026, the Freemusic Festival opens a new chapter in its history by the shores of Lake Baron Desqueyroux in Montendre, Charente-Maritime. After more than 25 years of adventure, the Belle Factory association offers a new edition true to the spirit of the festival: eclectic music, an exceptional natural setting, and a "feet in the water" atmosphere.
A Rich and Varied 2026 Program
The 2026 edition brings together French-speaking headliners (Claudio Capéo, La Ruda), reggae and dub references (Biga*Ranx, Jahneration, Soom T, THK), as well as electro and hard techno artists (Flymeon) and new discoveries (Luiza, Cachemire). Around fifty concerts and performances are planned throughout the weekend, spread between the Fire Stage (main stage), the Moonlight Area (nighttime electro stage), and the Feel Free Village, Mayarena, and Pool Party spaces.
The Setting of Lake Montendre
The festival takes place in an exceptional natural site: sandy beach, swimming, pine forest, and the unmissable Pool Party by the lake. Several campsites are accessible on site (Freemusic Campsite, Family Campsite, Converted Vehicle Campsite), for a complete immersive weekend.
Prices and Ticketing
Official ticketing is open on freemusic-festival.com with several options: 2-day pass at 72 €, 1-day pass at 45 €, camping options included (+ 14 € for the 2-day pass, + 8 € for the 1-day pass). Reduced rates for children, free for under 9s, and eligibility for the Pass Culture for 15-18 year olds.
Programme Freemusic 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026
- Claudio Capéo · Fire Stage — French singer with a powerful voice, accordionist, an essential figure in popular French song ("Un homme debout", "Riche").
- THK (formerly Tetra Hydro K) · Fire Stage — massive live dub, broken rhythms and deep bass, opening the weekend.
- Jahneration · French reggae duo with modern sounds, blending singing and Jamaican toasting.
- La Ruda · French festive rock band, over 25 years on stage, communicative energy.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Biga*Ranx · Fire Stage — major figure in French-speaking new roots and dub, recognizable voice and polished productions.
- Soom T · Fire Stage — Scottish reggae/dub singer of Indian origin, activist and committed.
- Cachemire · Fire Stage — musical project with soul, reggae, and electronic influences.
- Flymeon · Moonlight Area — rising figure in hard techno, explosive show blending devastating beats, live guitars, and saturated synths.
- Luiza · electro DJ set / moonlight area.
Program subject to change — the complete list and final schedules are published weekly on the official website freemusic-festival.com/programmation-2026/. Please note: Pogo Car Crash Control, initially announced, will ultimately not be present following the band's separation.
Highlights Freemusic 2026
- Exceptional setting by Lake Baron Desqueyroux (beach, swimming, pine forest)
- French-speaking headliners: Claudio Capéo, La Ruda
- Strong reggae/dub presence: Biga*Ranx, Jahneration, Soom T, THK
- Moonlight Area electro stage with Flymeon
- Pool Party by the lake
- Camping under the pines included in some packages
- Festival eligible for the Pass Culture (15-18 years old)
Prices Freemusic 2026
Practical information — Freemusic
Access
The festival is held at Lac Baron Desqueyroux in Montendre (17130), Charente-Maritime. Montendre is accessible by car via the A10 (Mirambeau or Pons exit), or by train via the Bordeaux–Nantes line (Montendre station).
Ticketing
Official ticketing is open on the freemusic-festival.com website (Weezevent system). Several options: 2-day pass, 1-day pass, camping options, child rate, free for under 9s. The festival is eligible for the Pass Culture for 15-18 year olds.
Cashless
The festival operates cashless via a rechargeable wristband (Phénix Pay). It is advisable to pre-load your account before the event.
Camping
Several campsites are available on site, some options may sell out very early. Booking is recommended as soon as ticketing opens.
Contact
General email: [email protected] · Press: [email protected] · Volunteering: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Freemusic
Lac Baron Desqueyroux
Lac Baron Desqueyroux, 17130 Montendre, 17130 Montendre