Jazz en Val de Cher

Jazz en Val de Cher: twenty-five years of jazz on the banks of the Cher

Since 2001, the Jazz en Val de Cher festival has set the banks of the Cher vibrating to the rhythm of jazz, swing, and improvised music. Driven with passion by the Compagnie Jazz, this summer festival has forged a strong identity over a quarter of a century: that of a human-sized, warm, and demanding event, where music is experienced intensely, 24 hours a day according to the festival's motto.

A three-dimensional festival

The uniqueness of Jazz en Val de Cher lies in its tripartite concept, unique in France:

• Concerts: about ten evenings on different stages in Saint-Aignan and Mareuil-sur-Cher, from the village hall to the Prieuré des Bernardines, with ensembles ranging from intimate duos to big bands and classic quartets.
• Workshops: masterclasses and instrumental practice workshops led by the festival's artists, open to amateur and experienced musicians.
• Entertainment: swing dances, jam sessions, impromptu concerts in cafes and restaurants, musical parades in the streets of Saint-Aignan.

Saint-Aignan: a medieval setting for jazz

Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher is a remarkable medieval town, nestled on the banks of the Cher between vineyards and Sologne forests. Its castle, Romanesque collegiate church, cobbled streets, and priory offer a striking backdrop for jazz concerts. The Prieuré des Bernardines, an architectural gem of the town, hosts some of the festival's most intimate concerts with exceptional acoustics.

A program between tradition and modernity

Since its inception, Jazz en Val de Cher has presented a program that embraces the richness of jazz: traditional jazz, gypsy jazz, bebop, cool jazz, jazz fusion, swing, vocal jazz, and improvised music. The 2025 edition, celebrating the festival's quarter-century, promises a particularly dynamic and renewed program, featuring younger artists and more contemporary jazz, while remaining true to the original spirit.

Precious territorial anchoring

The festival plays an essential role in the cultural and tourist animation of the Val de Cher, a rural area in the south of Loir-et-Cher. By attracting music lovers from across the region and beyond, Jazz en Val de Cher contributes to the influence of Saint-Aignan and its surroundings, while supporting the local economy—accommodations, restaurants, shops—during the summer period.