Jazz sous les Pommiers

Jazz sous les Pommiers: over 40 years of jazz in Coutances

Since 1982, Jazz sous les Pommiers has established itself as an unmissable event in the French and European jazz scene. Born from the passion of Gérard Houssin, then director of the Coutances municipal theater, and Denise and Thierry Giard, a jazz enthusiast teacher, the festival has grown while retaining its soul: a demanding and generous program, strong territorial roots, and legendary conviviality.

A rich and eclectic program

Jazz sous les Pommiers is not limited to jazz in the strict sense. The festival explores all the branches of improvised and mixed music: contemporary jazz, blues, soul, funk, world music, electronic music. Each edition offers about sixty concerts spread over eight days, in about ten emblematic venues in Coutances: the Théâtre municipal, the Caves des Unelles, the Esplanade des Unelles, the Magic Mirrors, the Marcel-Hélie hall, and numerous outdoor stages.

Legendary artists

Over the decades, the festival has hosted the biggest names in world jazz: Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Pat Metheny, Richard Galliano, Salif Keïta, Hiromi, Caravan Palace, and many others. The program skillfully blends international headliners and discoveries, offering the public a complete panorama of current and improvised music.

A festival rooted in its territory

Jazz sous les Pommiers is much more than just a music festival. It is an event that transforms Coutances for an entire week, mobilizing over 800 volunteers and attracting around 40,000 spectators each year. The festival is also committed to eco-responsibility, with free parking on the outskirts, free shuttle buses, and partnerships with SNCF to encourage public transport.

Beyond the concerts

The festival also offers music practice workshops, art exhibitions, film screenings, artist meet-and-greets, and activities in the city streets. The free outdoor stages allow everyone to enjoy the festive and musical atmosphere that takes over Coutances during Ascension week.

National and international reach

The third largest jazz festival in France by attendance, Jazz sous les Pommiers enjoys strong institutional recognition and considerable media coverage. The festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Normandy Region, the Department of Manche, and the City of Coutances, testifying to its major cultural importance for the Norman territory.