La Valdingue
The fanfare battle festival of Val d'Ainan
About La Valdingue
La Valdingue is a free fanfare festival held annually at the end of August in Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine, Isère. Created in 2018 by the amateur fanfare Les Val'Daingues, it brings together six fanfares from all over France for musical parades through the streets of the Val d'Ainan villages in the afternoon, followed by spectacular fanfare battles in the evening at the Combe site. The public chooses the winner using an applause-meter, in a festive and popular atmosphere.
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The unmissable event for fanfares in Isère
Every year, at the end of August, the charming village of Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine, nestled in the heart of the Val d'Ainan between Voiron and Pont-de-Beauvoisin, vibrates to the sound of brass and percussion. La Valdingue, a festival of festive fanfares, transforms the village streets, squares, and terraces into a huge open-air musical stage, offering a unique and entirely free show to hundreds of enthusiastic spectators.
An adventure born from the passion of Les Val'Daingues
The story of La Valdingue began with Les Val'Daingues, an amateur fanfare from the Valdaine region and its surroundings, active for over a decade. Formerly known as "Fa Si La Music," this passionate musical group performs a varied repertoire mixing rock, Latin, French pop, and Southwestern music. Driven by the desire to share their love for street music and to create a unifying event in their region, the fanfare members launched the first fanfare festival in Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine in 2018.
Since this first edition, La Valdingue has continued to grow, attracting musical groups from all over France and even abroad each year. The festival has become an anticipated event in the Pays Voironnais, supported by a team of passionate volunteers and the town hall of Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine.
An original concept: the fanfare battle
The principle of La Valdingue is as simple as it is exhilarating. Six fanfares, representing about a hundred musicians, are invited to compete in musical duels that are as spectacular as they are wild. In the afternoon, the groups parade through the surrounding neighborhoods and villages, animating café terraces, squares, and alleys of Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine, Merlas, and neighboring communes. They can be found in front of the La Dauphine brasserie, at the village café, in front of the castle, or on the church square.
From 7 PM onwards, all the fanfares converge on the Combe site, in the heart of the village, under the church square. Dressed according to the year's theme, they open the evening with a joint performance, a highlight where a hundred musicians play in unison a piece collectively prepared throughout the year. Then, the groups compete in lively battles that continue late into the night. The audience chooses the winner using an applause-meter, adding a participatory and good-natured dimension to the event.
Each edition, a different theme
To renew the experience and stimulate the creativity of the participating fanfares, each edition of La Valdingue is dedicated to a specific theme. Musicians are invited to adapt their costumes and repertoire accordingly, leading to colorful performances. Previous years have explored themes such as the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition, Mexican ambiance, or the Seventh Art. The public is also encouraged to come in costume, creating a unique musical carnival atmosphere.
A popular and friendly festival
True to the spirit of street fanfares, La Valdingue remains a 100% free event, open to everyone and all generations. A refreshment stand and a food area are available on-site, often run by local associations like the rugby club. The next morning, the awards ceremony takes place on the church square during a friendly aperitif, extending the celebration in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
La Valdingue — edition 2026
8th edition of La Valdingue, the free fanfare battle festival in Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine. Six fanfares from all over France compete at the Combe site in spectacular musical duels, with afternoon parades and evening battles.
8th Edition: La Valdingue Returns Strong
La Valdingue returns for its 8th edition on August 22nd and 23rd, 2026 at the Combe site in Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine. True to its tradition, the fanfare battle festival will once again offer a weekend of free, festive, and popular music in the heart of the Val d'Ainan.
As every year, six fanfares from all corners of France and perhaps beyond its borders will be invited to compete in musical duels that are as spectacular as they are quirky. The groups, representing about a hundred musicians, will parade on Saturday afternoon through the streets and on the terraces of the surrounding villages, bringing music and good cheer to the residents and passers-by.
In the evening, the traditional gathering at the Combe site will kick off the festivities with the joint opening performance, a highlight where all musicians play in unison. The battles will then follow until the early hours of the morning, with the audience choosing the grand winner thanks to the applause-meter. A new theme will be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the festival, inviting fanfares and the public to come in costume.
On Sunday morning, the awards ceremony on the church square will conclude this edition in a friendly atmosphere, around a shared aperitif. La Valdingue confirms year after year its status as an essential musical event in the Pays Voironnais, driven by the passion of Les Val'Daingues and their volunteers.
Programme La Valdingue 2026
2026 Program
Saturday, August 22, 2026
- 4:00 PM: Fanfare parades in the streets and villages of Val d'Ainan
- 7:00 PM: Gathering of all fanfares at the Combe site – Joint opening performance
- 7:30 PM – Late into the night: Fanfare battles with applause-meter
Sunday, August 23, 2026
- 11:00 AM: Awards ceremony on the church square of Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine
Participating Fanfares
The full lineup of the six fanfares will be announced in the summer of 2026. Follow the Facebook page of Les Val'Daingues to find out the invited groups and the theme for this 8th edition.
Highlights La Valdingue 2026
- 8th edition of the festival
- Six fanfares and a hundred musicians expected
- Battles with applause-meter
- New theme to be revealed
- Parades in the villages of Val d'Ainan
- 100% free festival
Prices La Valdingue 2026
Practical information — La Valdingue
Practical Information
Access
The La Valdingue festival takes place at the Combe site, Route du Bourg, 38620 Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine. The Combe site is located in the center of the village, below the church and school square. Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine is in the Isère department (38), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the Val d'Ainan valley between Voiron and Pont-de-Beauvoisin.
- By car: From Grenoble (45 min), take the A48 towards Lyon then exit Voiron, follow the D520 towards Pont-de-Beauvoisin. From Lyon (1h15), take the A43 towards Chambéry, exit Les Abrets/Pont-de-Beauvoisin, then follow the D82 towards Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine. From Chambéry (45 min), take the A43 towards Lyon, exit Les Abrets, then D82.
- Carpooling: The festival encourages carpooling. Plan your trip in advance via BlaBlaCar or local carpooling groups.
- Public transport: The nearest SNCF train station is Voiron (about 20 min by car). Bus lines of the Cars Région Isère network serve Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine from Voiron. However, evening connections are limited; carpooling is strongly recommended.
Parking
Free parking is available near the Combe site. It is advisable to arrive early, especially on Saturday evening when the largest number of spectators gather for the fanfare battles.
Food and drinks
Food stalls and a refreshment stand are set up at the festival site. The refreshment stand is usually run by a local association (rugby club). You will find cold drinks, beers, and food to enjoy throughout the evening. The organization reminds you to consume alcohol in moderation.
Prices
The La Valdingue festival is entirely free. Access to all activities and concerts is free, with no reservation required. This free access is made possible by the support of the town hall of Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine and the festival's partners.
Schedules
- Saturday afternoon: Fanfare parades in the streets and villages of Val d'Ainan starting at 4:00 PM.
- Saturday evening: Gathering of all fanfares at the Combe site at 7:00 PM. Joint opening performance followed by fanfare battles until late at night.
- Sunday morning: Awards ceremony and aperitif at 11:00 AM on the church square of Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine.
Tips
Come in costume according to the theme of the year! Festival-goers in costume may be offered a drink. Bring warm clothing for the evening, as August nights can be cool in Isère. The ground is outdoors; comfortable shoes are recommended.
Contact
- Phone: 07 71 86 44 50
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: Les Val'Daingues
- Town Hall of Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine: 04 76 07 51 07
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach La Valdingue at the best price.
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Where does it take place — La Valdingue
Site de la Combe
Route du Bourg, 38620 Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine