Jazz & Cheese
When jazz meets Queyras cheeses
About Jazz & Cheese
The successful marriage of jazz and cheese since 2011
The Jazz & Cheese festival was born in 2011 in Montbardon, a hamlet in Queyras, from the meeting between jazz enthusiasts and lovers of the Alpine terroir. Created by Kristin Marion and Philippe Martel, musicians living in Queyras, with the help of Éric Randu for the gastronomic aspect, the festival found its unique formula: combining international jazz concerts with cheese tastings and gourmet meals highlighting the products of the Queyras region.
From Montbardon to Ceillac
After its first two editions in the hamlet of Montbardon, the festival moved to Ceillac, an authentic village in Queyras located at 1,640 meters above sea level. This preserved mountain setting, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Queyras, offers a spectacular backdrop for a festival that takes place under a marquee and outdoors, with views of the surrounding peaks.
An international jazz program
Despite its intimate size, Jazz & Cheese boasts an ambitious international program. Each year, the festival hosts renowned artists from around the world, covering a wide spectrum of jazz: gypsy jazz, swing, blues, vocal jazz, contemporary jazz, and world jazz. The 2025 edition (13th) notably featured Nitcho Reinhardt, nephew of Django Reinhardt, and singer Sylvia Howard for the opening concert. Every evening, four concerts follow each other under the festival's marquee.
The gastronomic experience
The gastronomic aspect is inseparable from the festival's identity. Queyras cheeses, and particularly the famous bleu de Montbardon, are featured during tastings and meals. The dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings and the closing barbecue on Sunday, prepared with local producers and restaurateurs, allow attendees to savor the flavors of the Alpine terroir while listening to quality jazz.
A friendly festival at altitude
With its four days of festival in June, Jazz & Cheese attracts a loyal and passionate audience in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The festival also offers masterclasses and jam sessions that allow amateur musicians to meet the artists. The event contributes to the cultural and tourist dynamism of the Ceillac valley and the Guillestrois-Queyras region.
Jazz & Cheese — edition 2026
14th edition of the Jazz & Cheese festival, from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Ceillac, in the heart of Queyras (Hautes-Alpes). Four days of jazz, swing, gypsy jazz and blues concerts under a big top and outdoors, accompanied by tastings of Queyras cheeses, gourmet dinners and a closing barbecue. The 2026 program notably features Sabato di Costanzo 4tet, Adrien Moignard Gipsy 4tet, Bruno Bellemin Hammond Trio, Sandrine Destefanis, La Vie en Cordes, Ella Rabeson and the Big Band de Gap.
A 14th edition between jazz, mountains and Queyras cheeses
For its 14th edition, the Jazz & Cheese festival once again takes over the village of Ceillac, at an altitude of 1,640 meters in the Queyras Regional Natural Park, from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14, 2026. Four days of concerts and gourmet encounters under a big top, in the Sainte-Cécile church and outdoors, against the spectacular backdrop of the Queyras peaks.
An eclectic program from swing to gypsy jazz
The 2026 edition features eight concerts over four evenings, with a range from gypsy jazz (Adrien Moignard, La Vie en Cordes) to vocal swing (Sandrine Destefanis, Ella Rabeson), as well as blues and Hammond groove (Sabato di Costanzo, Bruno Bellemin) and big band (Big Band de Gap). The festival traditionally concludes with Le Bœuf du dimanche, a jam session open to musicians and the public.
The gastronomic aspect: Queyras cheeses in the spotlight
As every year, the 2026 edition highlights local cheeses, especially bleu du Queyras. Tastings accompany the aperitif on concert evenings, gourmet dinners are offered on Friday and Saturday, and the festival concludes with the closing barbecue on Sunday lunchtime, organized with the Bleu du Queyras association.
Practical Information 2026
Concerts take place under the festival big top installed next to the Nordic building in Ceillac, as well as at the Sainte-Cécile church. Ticketing is open on the Guillestrois-Queyras Tourist Office website. Children under 15 years old benefit from free admission to all concerts.
Programme Jazz & Cheese 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Sabato di Costanzo 4tet · Big Top — jazz that delves into blues, groove and swing
- 9:00 PM — Adrien Moignard Gipsy 4tet · Big Top — modern and virtuoso gypsy jazz, rooted in tradition
Friday, June 12, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Bruno Bellemin Hammond Trio · Big Top — intense and groovy set centered around the Hammond organ
- 9:00 PM — Sandrine Destefanis · Big Top — "Lady Swing", elegant and warm voice of French swing
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- 6:30 PM — La Vie en Cordes · Big Top — encounter between a queen of swing and the kings of gypsy jazz
- 9:00 PM — Ella Rabeson · Big Top — standards from the Great American Songbook (Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington), between swing, blues and bossa nova
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- Morning — Big Band de Gap · Outdoors — large jazz orchestra from the region
- 10:30 AM — Le Bœuf du dimanche · Outdoors — open jam session with the festival's closing barbecue
Highlights Jazz & Cheese 2026
- 14th edition of a festival born in 2011 in Montbardon
- Eight concerts in four days, from gypsy jazz to big band
- Adrien Moignard and La Vie en Cordes in the spotlight for gypsy jazz
- Tastings of Queyras cheeses, gourmet dinners and closing barbecue
- Exceptional setting at 1,640 m altitude in the Queyras Regional Natural Park
- Free for children under 15 years old
Prices Jazz & Cheese 2026
Practical information — Jazz & Cheese
Access
The festival takes place in Ceillac (05600), in Queyras, Hautes-Alpes.
- By car: From Gap, take the N94 towards Briançon then the D902 towards Guillestre and the D60 towards Ceillac (approx. 1h30). From Briançon, N94 then D902 and D60 (approx. 1h).
- By train: SNCF station of Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre, then road to Ceillac (25 km).
2025 Prices
- 4-day pass: €85 (adult) / €42.50 (15-18 years old)
- Individual evenings: from €16 to €28 depending on the evening
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: jazzandcheese.webnode.fr
- Information: Guillestrois-Queyras Tourist Office
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Where does it take place — Jazz & Cheese
Chapiteau et plein air, Ceillac
1 chemin du Canal, 05600 Ceillac