Le Son des Cuivres
The most brass-filled festival in the Pays de la Loire
About Son des Cuivres
Le Son des Cuivres: When Mamers Resounds with a Thousand Fanfares
Every early July, the small town of Mamers, north of the Sarthe department, transforms into the French capital of brass. The Le Son des Cuivres festival, created in 2013 by international trumpeter Clément Saunier, has become, in a decade, the benchmark event for brass music lovers in the Pays de la Loire region.
Clément Saunier: An Exceptional Artist Serving His Region
Soloist with the Ensemble intercontemporain and educator at the CNSMD de Lyon, Clément Saunier chose his hometown to establish a festival in his image: demanding and popular. His vision is based on a bridge between musical excellence and accessibility, between classical repertoire and festive creations. A bold gamble that today forms the unique identity of Le Son des Cuivres.
Two Days, Two Atmospheres
The festival is structured around two complementary days. Saturday, entirely free, is dedicated to popular celebration: street fanfares, funk-jazz brass bands, afrobeat ensembles, and New Orleans groups take over Espace Saugonna in an electric and danceable atmosphere. Sunday, more institutional, alternates free open-air concerts and paid indoor concerts entrusted to prestigious ensembles — military symphonic bands, brass bands, international soloists — for high-level performances.
A Festival Rooted in Its Territory
Beyond music, Le Son des Cuivres contributes to the cultural influence of Mamers and the Saosnois region. The festival works in partnership with the Office de Tourisme Maine Saosnois and local stakeholders to welcome an ever-growing audience. The on-site refreshment stand and catering help create a festival village atmosphere where the public mingles with musicians in the purest tradition of brass celebrations.
Son des Cuivres — edition 2026
The 14th edition of Le Son des Cuivres takes place on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2026 at Espace Saugonna in Mamers. The program includes: an entirely free Saturday with street bands and brass bands (The Sassy Swingers, Nola French Connection, Lazcar Volcano & Sanseverino), followed by a Sunday combining free outdoor concerts and two paid indoor concerts, including the Orchestre d'Harmonie de l'Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace and the Paris Jazz Horns.
Le Son des Cuivres 2026 — 14th Edition
The Le Son des Cuivres festival returns for its 14th edition on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2026 at Espace Saugonna in Mamers, Sarthe. True to its formula, the event offers a festive and entirely free Saturday, enlivened by street bands and brass bands, followed by a more classical Sunday alternating free outdoor concerts and two paid indoor concerts entrusted to leading institutional ensembles.
A 100% Free Saturday
From 3:30 PM, Espace Saugonna comes alive with street bands and brass bands: The Sassy Swingers, Le Spectre d'Ottokar, Nola French Connection (New Orleans), Lazcar Volcano accompanied by Sanseverino, and Three Pieces of Trash closing the evening. The roving company Achtung Bicyclette provides musical interludes between concerts.
A Sunday between Outdoors and Indoors
On Sunday, free outdoor concerts (Achtung Bicyclette, Cadences Brass de Blois) are alongside two paid indoor events: the Orchestre d'Harmonie de l'Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace at 3 PM and the Paris Jazz Horns at 5 PM. Refreshments and food available on site throughout the weekend.
Programme Son des Cuivres 2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — free admission
- 3:30 PM — Share with the Sassy (amateur project)
- 4:00 PM — The Sassy Swingers
- 5:00 PM — Achtung Bicyclette (musical interlude)
- 5:30 PM — Le Spectre d'Ottokar
- 6:30 PM — Achtung Bicyclette (musical interlude)
- 7:00 PM — Nola French Connection (New Orleans brass band)
- 8:30 PM — Achtung Bicyclette (musical interlude)
- 9:00 PM — Lazcar Volcano & Sanseverino
- 10:30 PM — Achtung Bicyclette (musical interlude)
- 11:00 PM — Three Pieces of Trash
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Achtung Bicyclette (free)
- 3:00 PM — Orchestre d'Harmonie de l'Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace · indoor concert (paid)
- 4:30 PM — Achtung Bicyclette (free)
- 5:00 PM — Paris Jazz Horns · indoor concert (paid)
- 6:00 PM — Achtung Bicyclette (free)
- 6:30 PM — Cadences Brass de Blois (free)
The paid Sunday ticket grants access to both indoor concerts.
Highlights Son des Cuivres 2026
- Entirely free Saturday, July 4: street bands and brass bands
- Lazcar Volcano & Sanseverino on Saturday evening
- Orchestre d'Harmonie de l'Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace on Sunday, July 5
- Paris Jazz Horns in an indoor concert
Prices Son des Cuivres 2026
Practical information — Son des Cuivres
Access
By car: Mamers is located 50 km north of Le Mans via the D311. Espace Saugonna is at 2 rue de la Gare, 72600 Mamers, immediately next to the train station.
By train: Mamers station, served by TER from Le Mans (45 min).
Prices
Saturday: free concerts. Sunday: free open-air concerts and paid indoor concerts (ticket approximately 20 € full price, 15 € reduced price, free for children under 12). Bookings with the Office de Tourisme Maine Saosnois and on the France Billet network.
Contact
Office de Tourisme Maine Saosnois
Tel.: 02 43 97 60 63
Website: festivalsondescuivres.com
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Where does it take place — Son des Cuivres
Espace Saugonna
2 rue de la Gare, 72600 Mamers