Jazz à la Lunette

Jazz in a Fortified Setting

Jazz à la Lunette takes its name from Lunette 10, an advanced work of the Langres citadel built in 1848. This self-contained polygonal fort, located a few dozen meters in front of the citadel's bastions, served as an advanced support point to slow down attacks coming from the plateau. Its circular shape and deep moats make it a unique natural amphitheater today, perfectly suited for setting up an open-air stage.

A Festival Born of Passion

The festival was created in 2016 by the association Mélanges Improbables, led by Philippe Chanclu, a key figure in Langres' cultural life. For about fifteen years, this association programmed jazz, blues, rock, and world music in Langres, organizing nearly 180 concerts in various venues across the city, notably at L'Épicerie and the Théâtre Michel-Humbert. The creation of Jazz à la Lunette responded to a simple observation: there was no jazz festival between Nancy Jazz Pulsations and Jazz à Beaune.

An Open and Generous Program

True to the philosophy of Mélanges Improbables, the festival offers an eclectic program mixing jazz, blues, world music, and chanson. The ambition is not to stick to purist jazz but to explore all the branches of this music: from gypsy jazz to contemporary jazz, from Delta blues to African sounds. Among the artists who have marked past editions are Vincent Peirani (jazz accordionist awarded at the Victoires de la Musique), Fred Music, the Gypsy Winsberg Trio, Louis Winsberg, Ibrahim Keita, and Duna Orkestar.

Highlights Beyond the Concerts

The festival is not limited to evening concerts. Jazz parades in the streets of Langres, in the style of New Orleans brass bands, liven up the city during the day. The École Municipale de Musique de Langres (Langres Municipal Music School) participates in the "off" program with workshops and performances by its students in the village square. Food stalls and a bar allow festival-goers to fully enjoy the friendly atmosphere within the lunette.

A Remarkable Heritage Setting

Langres, a fortified city perched on a rocky outcrop at an altitude of 475 meters, offers a spectacular panorama of the Marne and Bonnelle valleys. The city boasts one of the most beautiful fortified enclosures in France, with over 3.5 kilometers of ramparts dotted with seven towers and seven gates. Lunette 10, part of the citadel built in the mid-19th century, is an exceptional testament to the military architecture of that era. Attending a jazz concert in this historic place is a unique experience that blends heritage and artistic creation.

An Expected Revival

Following the dissolution of the association Mélanges Improbables in November 2023, the festival is experiencing a revival driven by new cultural players from Langres determined to bring back the spirit of Jazz à la Lunette. The City of Langres, which supported the project from its inception, is accompanying this renaissance by providing the Lunette 10 site and supporting the artistic programming.