La Folle Journée
International classical music festival in Nantes
About La Folle Journée
Created in 1995 by René Martin, La Folle Journée is a unique classical music festival held annually in late January at the Cité des Congrès de Nantes. Over five days, nearly 300 45-minute concerts are offered at very affordable prices, with the aim of demystifying classical music and making it accessible to the widest possible audience. Each edition explores a different theme, attracting over 140,000 spectators and 2,000 international artists. The festival has spread worldwide, from Tokyo to Warsaw, Lisbon, and Bilbao.
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La Folle Journée: A Revolution in the World of Classical Music
Since its creation in 1995, La Folle Journée has profoundly transformed access to classical music in France and around the world. Conceived by visionary artistic director René Martin, this Nantes festival is based on an unprecedented concept: offering short 45-minute concerts at very affordable prices (starting from €10), in a unique venue where multiple halls operate simultaneously. The public can thus compose their own musical journey and become their own artistic director.
La Cité des Congrès: A Venue at the Heart of Nantes
Each year, the festival takes over the Cité des Congrès de Nantes, transforming it into a vast musical village. The Grande Halle hosts a central kiosk around which bookstores, record stalls, catering areas, and free activities are organized. The various halls—ranging from 200 to 2,000 seats—allow for an exceptionally rich program, with nearly 300 concerts spread over five days.
A Concept Exported Worldwide
The success of La Folle Journée has extended beyond Nantes. The festival has been exported to Japan (Tokyo, since 2005), Spain (Bilbao), Portugal (Lisbon), Poland (Warsaw), Russia (Yekaterinburg), and Brazil. These international versions demonstrate the universality of the concept and its power of cultural democratization.
A Thematic Program Renewed Annually
Each edition of La Folle Journée is built around a theme that guides the entire program. From composers to musical movements, historical periods to geographical inspirations, these themes allow for a renewed festival experience each year and an exploration of classical music from new perspectives. Notable themes include: Beethoven, Mozart, Russian music, chamber music, and the great musical capitals.
A Commitment to All Audiences
La Folle Journée stands out for its commitment to accessibility. Beyond reduced prices, the festival offers free concerts in the Grande Halle, lectures by musicologists, educational workshops, and specific provisions for people with disabilities (vibrating vests for the deaf and hard of hearing, tactile maps). Since 2025, the festival has also expanded to the municipalities of the Nantes metropolitan area and all neighborhoods of Nantes.
CRÉA: The Organizing Association
La Folle Journée is organized by CRÉA (Centre de Réalisations et d'Études Artistiques), an association founded by René Martin dedicated to the widest possible dissemination of classical music. CRÉA coordinates all the Folles Journées in France and internationally, mobilizing approximately 2,000 world-renowned artists each year.
With 140,000 tickets sold each edition and unparalleled international reach, La Folle Journée has established itself as “the most beautiful classical music celebration in the world.”
La Folle Journée — edition 2026
The 32nd edition of La Folle Journée will take place from January 28 to February 1, 2026, at the Cité des Congrès de Nantes. The theme "Rivers" invites a poetic journey through the great waterways that have inspired composers and shaped the musical cultures of the world, from the Danube to the Volga, from the Rhine to the Mississippi.
32nd Edition — Rivers
La Folle Journée returns for its 32nd edition from January 28 to February 1, 2026, with an ambitious and poetic theme: "Rivers". This river-themed edition promises a musical immersion along the great waterways that have nourished the history of classical music.
A Journey Along the Water
Rivers have played a central role in the cultural and musical development of the regions they traverse, leaving a strong imprint on composers. From Smetana's Moldau to Strauss's Blue Danube, from the banks of the Volga to the shores of the Mississippi, via Wagner's Rhine and the Indian Ganges, the 2026 program explores the deep connections between rivers and musical creation.
Nearly 300 Concerts
True to its unique format, La Folle Journée 2026 will offer nearly 300 concerts of 45 minutes at affordable prices (starting from €10), in the various halls of the Cité des Congrès. The festival will host approximately 2,000 artists from around the world.
Ticketing opened on December 13, 2025, on the festival's official website.
Highlights La Folle Journée 2026
What We Know About the 2026 Edition
- Theme: "Rivers" — the great waterways and music
- Dates: January 28 to February 1, 2026
- Venue: Cité des Congrès de Nantes and municipalities of the metropolitan area
- Nearly 300 concerts of 45 minutes
- 2,000 international artists
- Ticketing open since December 13, 2025
Prices La Folle Journée 2026
Practical information — La Folle Journée
Practical Information
Access
By car: The Cité des Congrès is located in the center of Nantes, near the SNCF train station. Nearby parking: Cité des Congrès parking (access via rue de Valmy) and Gare Sud parking.
By train: Nantes station (TGV from Paris in 2h15). The Cité des Congrès is a 5-minute walk from the station, crossing cours John Kennedy.
By tram: Line 1 — stop "Duchesse Anne - Château des Ducs de Bretagne" (5 min walk). Lines 2 and 3 — stop "Gare Nord" or "Gare Sud".
Free transport: Ticket holders for La Folle Journée benefit from free travel on the entire Naolib network (bus and tram) on the day of their concert.
Prices
Prices are intentionally accessible:
- Paid concerts: from 10 to 39 EUR
- Free concerts: open program in the Grande Halle
- Reduced prices: for young people, students, job seekers, and people with disabilities
Ticketing
Online booking at follejournee.fr and on the Themisweb platform. Ticketing usually opens in December.
Accessibility
The Cité des Congrès is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Specific provisions are in place for the deaf and hard of hearing (vibrating vests) and for visually impaired people (tactile maps, dedicated support).
Contact
La Folle Journée — Cité des Congrès de Nantes
5 rue de Valmy, 44000 Nantes
Email: [email protected]
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach La Folle Journée at the best price.
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Where does it take place — La Folle Journée
Cité des Congrès de Nantes
5 rue de Valmy, 44000 Nantes