La Valdingue

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.