La Folle Journée

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.”