International Festival Le Temps des Guitares
International guitar festival in Luzech
About Le Temps des Guitares
The guitar in all its diversity in the heart of the Lot
Founded in 2016 by the Duo Bensa-Cardinot, a classical guitar duo recognized in France and internationally, the International Festival Le Temps des Guitares is a unique summer event dedicated to the guitar in all its diversity. Each summer, for four days in late July, the festival hosts artists from around the world for thematic evenings that explore the infinite richness of the instrument: classical guitar, flamenco, world music, baroque, Latin American music, mandolin, and many other sounds.
Passionate artistic directors
Artistic directors Olivier Bensa and Cécile Cardinot conceive an eclectic and demanding program each year, at the crossroads of styles and cultures. A guitarist and composer for one, a guitarist, singer, and choir conductor for the other, they put their expertise and international network at the service of a festival that continues to grow in quality and influence. Their ambition: to introduce the public to the guitar from unexpected angles, by inviting soloists, duos, and ensembles that push the boundaries of the instrument.
From Puy-l'Évêque to Luzech: a new era
From 2016 to 2024, the festival was held at the open-air theatre of Puy-l'Évêque, an open-air amphitheater that can accommodate over 400 spectators, with the Saint-Sauveur church as a backup venue in case of bad weather. In 2025, the festival began a new chapter by moving to the Notre-Dame de l'Île chapel in Luzech, an exceptional heritage site located on the peninsula formed by a loop of the Lot river. This intimate and acoustically remarkable setting offers a unique musical experience, up close with the artists.
An international and eclectic program
Each edition offers four themed evenings, designed as musical journeys. Over the years, the festival has hosted leading artists: the flamenco of Samuelito and Karine Gonzalez, the virtuoso classical guitar of Judicaël Perroy and Alexandra Whittingham, the oud of Driss El Maloumi, the kora of Lamine Cissokho, the poetic flamenco of Pedro Soler, the Brazilian guitar of Yamandu Costa, and baroque theorbo and lute. The afternoons are dedicated to activities open to all around the guitar: demonstrations, video screenings, meetings with artists, and wine tastings from the Cahors vineyards.
A festival rooted in its terroir
Le Temps des Guitares is also an immersion in the Lotois terroir. The festival is intimately linked to the Cahors vineyards and local gastronomy, with wine tastings offered in partnership with the winegrowers of the Lot valley. The association Le Temps des Guitares, founded in 2015, relies on a team of passionate volunteers who bring the event to life with generosity and conviviality. In ten years, the festival has established itself as a must-attend event for lovers of guitar and world music in southwestern France.
Le Temps des Guitares — edition 2026
10th anniversary edition of the Festival International Le Temps des Guitares in Luzech, from July 28th to August 1st, 2026. Four evenings of concerts at the Notre-Dame de l'Île chapel, featuring the guitar in all its forms: intimate classical guitar, African music, classical and romantic duos, and Latin American music with the return of Yamandu Costa.
10th Anniversary Edition: July 28th to August 1st, 2026
The Festival International Le Temps des Guitares celebrates its 10th anniversary with an exceptional edition, from July 28th to August 1st, 2026, at the Notre-Dame de l'Île chapel in Luzech. Under the artistic direction of Olivier Bensa and Cécile Cardinot, the festival brings together internationally renowned guitarists for four thematic evenings (concerts at 6:30 PM), accompanied by daytime activities and tastings of wines from the Cahors vineyard (partner Clos Triguedina).
The 2026 Evenings
- Tuesday, July 28th — "Intimate Guitar" Evening: recital by Sotiris Athanasiou, 1st prize winner of the Concours International de Guitare de Paris.
- Wednesday, July 29th — African Evening: Driss El Maloumi (oud) and Lamine Cissokho (kora), for a meeting between the musical traditions of North Africa and West Africa.
- Thursday, July 30th — Classical and Romantic Duos Evening: the Daniyah Guitar Duo (Alice Brandão and Maja Kralj) and Duo Odelia.
- Friday, July 31st — Latin American Evening: Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa and Los Hermanos Guedes, returning for the festival's anniversary.
The detailed program and any additional evenings are published throughout the year on the official festival website.
Programme Le Temps des Guitares 2026
Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 — "Intimate Guitar" Evening (6:30 PM)
- Sotiris Athanasiou · classical guitar — recital; 1st prize winner of the Concours International de Guitare de Paris (festival partner).
Wednesday, July 29th, 2026 — African Evening (6:30 PM)
- Driss El Maloumi · oud, and Lamine Cissokho · kora — meeting between the traditions of North Africa and West Africa.
Thursday, July 30th, 2026 — Classical and Romantic Guitar Duos Evening (6:30 PM)
- Daniyah Guitar Duo · Alice Brandão and Maja Kralj, classical and romantic guitars.
- Duo Odelia · guitars.
Friday, July 31st, 2026 — Latin American Evening (6:30 PM)
- Yamandu Costa · 7-string guitar, and Los Hermanos Guedes — grand Latin American evening for the 10th anniversary.
Highlights Le Temps des Guitares 2026
- 10th anniversary edition of the festival
- 5 days of exceptional programming
- Sotiris Athanasiou in classical guitar recital
- African evening with Driss El Maloumi (oud) and Lamine Cissokho (kora)
- Return of Yamandu Costa (Brazilian guitar) for the anniversary
- Classical and romantic duos evening
- Full program to be unveiled in spring 2026
Prices Le Temps des Guitares 2026
Practical information — Le Temps des Guitares
Practical information
Access
Luzech is located in the Lot department (46), in the Occitanie region, 25 km west of Cahors, in the heart of the Lot valley and the Cahors vineyards.
- By car: From Cahors, follow the D8 towards Luzech (approx. 25 minutes). From Toulouse, take the A62 then the A20 towards Cahors. From Bordeaux, follow the A62 towards Agen then the D911.
- By train: Cahors station (Paris-Toulouse and Brive-Toulouse lines). Shuttles and taxis available to reach Luzech.
- By bus: VIRE-SUR-LOT–LUZECH–CAHORS line, LUZECH-Bourg stop (approx. 30 minutes walk to the site).
Concert venue
- Chapelle Notre-Dame de l'Île, Route de l'Île, 46140 Luzech.
- Activities and meetings at the Maison des Consuls.
Prices
- 4-concert pass: €69 (full price), €47 (reduced price: unemployed, students, 17-18 year olds), €21 (10-16 year olds).
- Single concert ticket: €22 (full price), €15 (reduced price), €7 (10-16 year olds).
- Free for children under 10.
Ticketing
Online booking at billetterie.festik.net/letempsdesguitares and on-site subject to availability.
Payment methods
Credit card, checks, and cash accepted.
Contact
- Phone: 06 40 66 64 92
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.letempsdesguitares.com
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Where does it take place — Le Temps des Guitares
Chapelle Notre-Dame de l'Île
Route de l'Île, 46140 Luzech