Les Automnales de Ballainvilliers

Les Automnales de Ballainvilliers: Guitar in the Spotlight in Essonne

Since their creation in 2006 at the initiative of the Mairie de Ballainvilliers, Les Automnales de Ballainvilliers have become a must-attend autumn event for guitar enthusiasts in Île-de-France. This international festival, entirely free for the public, stands out for its commitment to making guitar accessible in all its forms — classical, acoustic, folk, flamenco, jazz — in an exceptional heritage setting.

A Unique Setting: The Château de Ballainvilliers

Each year, the festival takes over the grounds of the Château de Ballainvilliers, located at 17 rue du Général Leclerc in Ballainvilliers. This estate includes a château, its outbuildings, and a vast park, which host open-air concerts during the festival, the chapel transformed into a luthiers' fair, and the large halls dedicated to master-classes. In the evening, concerts are held at the Salle des Daunettes, offering a covered space with acoustics suited for guitar performances.

Three Days to Celebrate the Guitar

The festival's program spans three intense days. Open-air concerts in the park allow the public to discover different guitar styles in a relaxed atmosphere. Indoor concerts offer a more focused listening experience and privileged contact with the artists. The luthiers' fair in the château's chapel brings together guitar makers from all over France and Europe, showcasing their creations and explaining their craftsmanship. Finally, the master-classes, open to all guitarists and the curious, provide a genuine educational exchange with renowned musicians.

The 2025 Edition

The 2025 edition of Les Automnales de Ballainvilliers was held at the Château de Ballainvilliers in September. The festival once again brought together amateur and professional guitarists, luthiers, and music lovers in the characteristic setting of the estate. Open-air concerts during the day, evening concerts at the Salle des Daunettes, the luthiers' fair, and master-classes made up a rich and diverse program, true to the spirit of openness that has characterized this event since its inception.

The 2026 Edition

The 2026 edition of Les Automnales de Ballainvilliers is expected in September 2026 at the Château de Ballainvilliers. The Mairie de Ballainvilliers and its associative partners are preparing a program centered around numerous guitar styles, with guest artists from the national and international scene. The detailed program will be announced in advance by the Mairie de Ballainvilliers.

A Free and Family-Friendly Festival

One of the great strengths of Les Automnales is its complete accessibility. All activities — concerts, master-classes, luthiers' fair — are offered free of charge, making the festival a cultural event open to all audiences, from the youngest to the most experienced. This philosophy of cultural democratization, supported by the Mairie de Ballainvilliers, makes it a model of quality municipal festival in the Paris-Saclay agglomeration.