Garçon, la Note !

Garçon, la Note ! : The Summer Festival in Auxerre Since 2001

Born in 2001 on the initiative of the Auxerrois Tourist Office, "Garçon, la Note !" has become over a quarter of a century one of the most anticipated summer events in Burgundy. Its formula is as simple as it is effective: every summer evening, a different terrace of a bar, cafe, or restaurant transforms into a temporary stage for a concert, offering everyone—residents, vacationers, curious passersby—a free, friendly, and informal musical experience. Since its creation, the festival has hosted over 1,077 concerts, a testament to its extraordinary artistic and popular vitality.

The concept relies on a delicate balance between accessibility and musical quality. Far from large stages and prohibitive fees, "Garçon, la Note !" showcases local ensembles—intimate duos, jazz quartets, lively brass bands, soul or world music groups—playing in a warm atmosphere, just a few meters from the audience, often seated around a drink. The ambiance is that of an extended aperitif-concert, where music flows naturally through the gentle summer evenings.

A Traveling Festival That Irrigates the Entire Auxerrois Region

Originally confined to the terraces of Auxerre's city center, the festival has gradually expanded its geographical reach. As early as 2006, the villages of the Auxerre agglomeration joined the adventure, and today "Garçon, la Note !" radiates over a vast territory: Auxerre, but also Venoy, Monéteau, Gurgy, Chevannes, Augy, Lindry, Quenne, Chitry, Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, Vincelles, Chablis and the surrounding Chablisien area, extending to Tonnerre and the Aillantais region.

In a typical edition, 48 to 50 concerts are spread across the entire territory: about twenty in Auxerre, twenty in the communes of the Auxerrois, and ten in the Chablisien and beyond. The festival's success is such that some small villages of 500 inhabitants sometimes host up to 550 spectators for a single evening, compelling organizers to create temporary cafes where no establishment existed.

An Eclectic and Generous Program

The artistic heart of "Garçon, la Note !" is its eclectic programming, curated for over fifteen years by Sophie Torcol. Each summer, the programmer explores all styles: gypsy jazz and modern jazz, blues, soul, funk, French chanson, popular music, pop, rock, world music, brass bands, Latin music, reggae, acoustic electro… Diversity is the watchword, allowing every venue and every audience to find something they enjoy.

The invited ensembles generally consist of two to six musicians, suited to the intimate scale of the terraces. You can find both emerging young artists and seasoned groups, local Burgundian bands, and musicians from all over France. Among the artists who have marked the festival''s history are names like Kalangata, Wheobe, Dolores Crocos, ZZZ, Célia April, Buzztown, Maltavern, Julian Babou, Louis Bey, Electrik Cellar, as well as the fantastic brass bands and ensembles that electrify village squares.

A Model Exported Throughout Burgundy

The success of the Auxerre formula has largely inspired other territories. Since its beginnings in Auxerre, "Garçon, la Note !" has spread to many towns in Burgundy and beyond: Sens, Dijon, Chalon-sur-Saône, Nevers, Cluny, Bresse Bourguignonne, and even as far as Dax in the Landes region. In the Sénonais area, the formula thus attracts over 10,000 spectators each summer for about thirty concerts. This reach demonstrates that the concept—a cafe, an evening, a concert, it's free—meets a deep aspiration for conviviality, shared culture, and neighborhood life.

Key Festival Figures

• Created in 2001 by the Office de Tourisme de l'Auxerrois
• Over 1,077 concerts since its inception
• Approximately 50 evenings per summer, from July 1st to August 31st
• Concerts from Monday to Saturday from 9 PM to 11 PM
• Present in over 20 communes in the Yonne department
• Completely free entry
• Programming coordinated by Sophie Torcol for over 15 years

The Festival as an Art of Living

Beyond the numbers and accolades, "Garçon, la Note !" embodies a true Burgundian art of living. The image of a spectator seated on a terrace, glass of Chablis or Burgundy in hand, two meters away from a jazz duo or a brass band playing under the stars, has become iconic in the Yonne region. The festival creates social connections, revitalizes nightlife, promotes local and regional artists, and makes Auxerre shine far beyond its departmental borders.

Every evening brings a new surprise: a neighborhood bistro in Auxerre, the garden of a village cafe, a panoramic restaurant terrace on the banks of the Yonne River… The staging changes, the musicians change, yet the spirit remains the same: that of a human, warm festival, open to all, where live music accompanies ordinary people in their daily lives. A philosophy that Sophie Torcol aptly summarizes: "People will always want to gather to listen to live music in the streets of their neighborhood."