Le Chant des Sucs
Traveling festival of French song in Haute-Loire
About Chant des Sucs
Created in 2015, Le Chant des Sucs is a traveling festival of French song organized each autumn by students in BTS DATR (Development and Animation of Rural Territories) at the George-Sand agricultural high school in Yssingeaux, in partnership with the Labeldiff43 association led by Yvan Marc. For two to three weeks, a dozen communes in Haute-Loire host concerts in various venues—village halls, media libraries, theaters, cultural spaces—highlighting French-language song, contemporary music, and emerging artists. The festival prioritizes access to culture for all audiences, with free concerts in rural communes, singing workshops in schools and nursing homes, and an eco-responsible approach based on short supply chains and waste management. Since its creation, Le Chant des Sucs has hosted artists such as Mickey 3D, Sanseverino, Alexis HK, Sinsemilia, Les Wriggles, and Christophe Mali (Tryo), attracting between 1,500 and 2,000 spectators per edition. Labeled "Festival de Haute-Loire" in 2022, it has become a major cultural event in the Pays des Sucs and the Yssingelais region.
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Le Chant des Sucs: French song at the heart of rural territories
Since 2015, the Le Chant des Sucs festival has been bringing French song and contemporary French-language music to the rural communes of Haute-Loire, around Yssingeaux and the Pays des Sucs. This unique traveling festival is entirely designed and organized by students in BTS DATR (Development and Animation of Rural Territories) at the George-Sand agricultural high school in Yssingeaux, in partnership with the Labeldiff43 association.
An educational project rooted in the territory
Le Chant des Sucs is much more than just a music festival: it is a life-size educational project for BTS DATR students, who are responsible for all aspects of organization—artistic programming, partner search, communication, logistics, audience reception, and ticketing. This professional immersion allows them to acquire concrete skills in the animation and development of rural territories.
The festival relies on a network of partner communes that provide their cultural facilities: municipal village halls, media libraries, municipal theaters, and cultural spaces. This multi-site presence allows it to reach a large and diverse audience, often far from major cultural venues.
An eclectic and committed program
The program of Le Chant des Sucs highlights French and Francophone song, mixing established artists and emerging talents. Over the years, the festival has hosted prestigious names such as Mickey 3D, Sanseverino, Alexis HK, Sinsemilia, Les Wriggles, and Christophe Mali (singer of Tryo), while also providing a platform for young artists in development.
Beyond the concerts, the festival has offered singing workshops in schools and nursing homes since 2019, strengthening its participatory and intergenerational dimension. School interventions allow students to prepare shows with the festival's artists, creating unique moments of sharing.
An eco-responsible commitment
Le Chant des Sucs is committed to an eco-responsible approach, prioritizing short supply chains for catering, responsible waste management, and minimizing the carbon footprint of travel. This responsible approach is an integral part of the festival's identity and the students' educational project.
Chant des Sucs — edition 2026
The 11th edition of Le Chant des Sucs is confirmed for autumn 2026. The traveling French song festival will return to the communes of Haute-Loire, led by a new cohort of BTS DATR students from the George-Sand high school. The artistic program and precise dates will be announced in the summer of 2026.
11th Edition - Autumn 2026
The Le Chant des Sucs festival returns for its 11th edition in autumn 2026. True to its mission as a traveling French song festival, it will once again take over the communes of Haute-Loire around Yssingeaux to offer concerts in intimate and accessible venues.
A new cohort of BTS DATR students from the George-Sand high school will take the reins to organize this edition, perpetuating the educational and cultural project that has made the festival unique for over a decade. The artistic program, participating communes, and precise dates will be announced in the summer of 2026.
Prices Chant des Sucs 2026
Practical information — Chant des Sucs
Practical Information
Access and transport
By car: Yssingeaux is accessible via the RN88 from Saint-Étienne (approx. 45 minutes) or Le Puy-en-Velay (approx. 30 minutes). As concerts take place in a dozen communes, it is recommended to have a vehicle to travel between the different venues.
By public transport: Regional bus lines (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Mobilités network) serve Yssingeaux from Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Étienne. However, the rural communes hosting the concerts are not always easily accessible by public transport.
Concert venues
Concerts are held in various locations across the participating communes:
- Théâtre d'Yssingeaux: opening and closing concerts
- Communal village halls: Chenereilles, Bellevue-la-Montagne, Allègre, Solignac-sous-Roche, Félines
- Media libraries: Monistrol-sur-Loire, Retournac
- Cultural spaces: Mazet-Saint-Voy, Saint-Maurice-de-Lignon, Blesle, Villettes
Ticketing and prices
Many concerts are free, especially those in the communal village halls and media libraries. Concerts at the Théâtre d'Yssingeaux and certain special events are ticketed (prices from €5 to €22). Ticketing is available on the festival website.
Contact
Lycée agricole George-Sand
4 chemin du Vernet
43200 Yssingeaux
Website: sites.google.com/site/lechantdessucs
Facebook: Le Chant des Sucs
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Where does it take place — Chant des Sucs
Yssingeaux et communes de Haute-Loire
Lycée agricole George-Sand, 4 chemin du Vernet, 43200 Yssingeaux