Jazz in Mars — Bois-Guillaume Jazz Festival
A week of jazz in March, from conferences to concerts, in the heart of the Rouen metropolitan area
About Jazz in Mars
Jazz in Mars is a jazz festival organized every year in March in Bois-Guillaume, a residential town in the Rouen metropolitan area in Seine-Maritime. Created in 2017 by the municipality, the festival offers a week of programming combining musical conferences, shows for young audiences, gospel and vocal jazz, Caribbean, New Orleans, and contemporary jazz concerts. For its 10th edition in 2026, Jazz in Mars will highlight women in jazz, with three out of four groups led by female musicians, echoing International Women's Day on March 8th.
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Ten Years of Jazz in Bois-Guillaume
In 2017, the City of Bois-Guillaume launched Jazz in Mars, a jazz festival designed as a local cultural event in the heart of the Rouen metropolitan area. The ambition is to offer an immersion into the world of jazz every year for a week in March, through concerts, conferences, shows for young audiences, and moments of musical sharing. Ten years later, the festival has become a key fixture on the Norman jazz scene.
The festival takes place at the Espace Guillaume Le Conquérant, Bois-Guillaume's municipal performance hall, with an intimate capacity that fosters closeness between artists and the audience. Each edition alternates an "off" program at the beginning of the week — thematic conferences, shows for young audiences, student concerts — and a series of "in" concerts from Thursday to Sunday, featuring national and international artists.
A Demanding and Eclectic Program
Jazz in Mars explores all facets of jazz: vocal, Caribbean, New Orleans, contemporary, gospel, swing, and improvisation. Over the years, the festival has managed to invite top-tier artists while also making room for discoveries and emerging groups.
The 2026 edition, the 10th, welcomes Camille Bertault, winner of the Victoire du jazz vocal in 2023, known for her sharp, incisive, and melancholic lyrics, blending influences from Thelonious Monk, André Minvielle, Björk, and Ravel. The Clélya Abraham Quartet offers a fusion of Caribbean and modern jazz, the French Quarter Sextet celebrates New Orleans jazz, and the Franck Terrier Trio accompanied by Nicolle Rochelle & The Hot Sugar Band closes the week in style.
The "off" component of the 2026 edition includes a conference on women jazz creators, a discussion on improvisation followed by a jam session, the puppet show La Parade de Poche for young audiences, and a gospel concert by students from the BBI music school.
A Festival Committed to Women in Jazz
For its 10th edition, Jazz in Mars places women in jazz at the center of its programming. Three of the four groups performing in the "in" concerts are led by female musicians, echoing International Women's Day celebrated on March 8th, the festival's closing day. This programming choice is part of a broader initiative to highlight the role of women in jazz history and creation.
Jazz in Mars — edition 2026
10th edition of Jazz in Mars in Bois-Guillaume, from March 2 to 8, 2026. Camille Bertault (Victoire du jazz vocal 2023), Clélya Abraham Quartet, French Quarter Sextet, Franck Terrier Trio and Nicolle Rochelle. Three out of four groups led by women.
10th Edition: Women in Jazz in the Spotlight
For its 10th anniversary, Jazz in Mars offers a week of exceptional programming from March 2 to 8, 2026. The "off" program opens on Monday, March 2nd with a conference on women jazz creators, followed on Tuesday by a discussion on improvisation and a jam session. On Wednesday, the puppet show La Parade de Poche delights young audiences, and a gospel concert by students from the BBI music school completes the "off" program.
The "in" concerts begin on Thursday, March 5th with Camille Bertault, winner of the Victoire du jazz vocal in 2023, an artist known for her sharp and incisive lyrics, influenced by Thelonious Monk, Björk, and Ravel. On Friday, the Clélya Abraham Quartet offers a fusion of Caribbean and modern jazz. On Saturday, the French Quarter Sextet celebrates New Orleans jazz. Finally, on Sunday, March 8th — International Women's Day — the Franck Terrier Trio accompanied by Nicolle Rochelle & The Hot Sugar Band closes the week in style.
Three of the four groups are led by women jazz musicians, highlighting the festival's commitment to the visibility of women in jazz.
Programme Jazz in Mars 2026
2026 Program
Off (March 2-4)
- Conference on women jazz creators
- Discussion on improvisation + jam session
- Show for young audiences — La Parade de Poche (puppets)
- Gospel concert — BBI Music School
In (March 5-8)
- Camille Bertault — Contemporary vocal jazz (Thursday 5)
- Clélya Abraham Quartet — Caribbean and modern jazz (Friday 6)
- French Quarter Sextet — New Orleans jazz (Saturday 7)
- Franck Terrier Trio + Nicolle Rochelle & The Hot Sugar Band (Sunday 8)
Highlights Jazz in Mars 2026
- 10th anniversary of the festival
- Camille Bertault, Victoire du jazz vocal 2023, headlining
- Three out of four groups led by women
- Closing on March 8, International Women's Day
- Conference on women jazz creators
- La Parade de Poche show for young audiences
Prices Jazz in Mars 2026
Practical information — Jazz in Mars
Practical Information
Access
All festival events take place at the Espace Guillaume Le Conquérant, 1530 rue de la Haie, 76230 Bois-Guillaume.
- By car: 10 minutes north of Rouen city center. Free parking nearby.
- By public transport: TEOR bus T2 or T3 from Rouen, stop Bois-Guillaume Mairie.
Prices
"Off" events (conferences, show for young audiences): free admission. "In" concerts: online ticketing at billetweb.fr.
Ticketing
Online booking at billetweb.fr/jazz-in-mars-2026.
Contact
- Website: ville-bois-guillaume.fr
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Jazz in Mars at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Jazz in Mars
Espace Guillaume Le Conquérant
1530 rue de la Haie, 76230 Bois-Guillaume