Les Clés de Bagnoles
Summer music festival in the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne
2026
About Clés de Bagnoles
Clés de Bagnoles — edition 2026
23rd edition of Les Clés de Bagnoles, from Sunday, July 5 to Sunday, August 23, 2026, in Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Normandie. Eight free open-air concerts, every Sunday at 5:00 PM, mainly at Square de Contades — René-Jambon. Eclectic program: French neo-chanson, soul jazz, brass band, African blues, electro swing, Quebec neo-trad, country rock bluegrass, and Hawaiian western swing.
23rd Edition — July 5 to August 23, 2026
For its 23rd edition, Les Clés de Bagnoles festival offers eight Sundays of musical discovery in the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Normandie. From July 5 to August 23, 2026, every Sunday at 5:00 PM (except July 19 with a double session at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM), a regional, national, or international artist or group will take over the town's public spaces for a free open-air concert.
An Eclectic and International Program
The 23rd edition continues the festival's editorial line: to bring aesthetics into dialogue without hierarchy, from jazz to brass band, from French chanson to Hawaiian music. The 2026 program invites eight groups with very different universes — French neo-chanson with Nini Poulain, soul jazz with Mainlie Karma, brass band with Menace d'Éclaircie, African blues with Strange O'Clock, electro swing with Da'Chabada, festive Quebec neo-trad with Les Frères Lemay (QC), country rock bluegrass from the United States with the Johnny Mullenax Band (USA), and a western swing & Hawaiian music closing with the Hawaian Pistoleros.
Square de Contades — René-Jambon, Main Stage 2026
Seven of the eight concerts will be held at Square de Contades — René-Jambon, a public space in the heart of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne. Only the brass band event on July 19 will move to the Parc du Château de Bagnoles, with two exceptional sessions at 3:00 PM and then 5:00 PM. No ticket or reservation is necessary: simply show up at the performance venue.
Free Festival, Open to All
As every summer since 2003, Les Clés de Bagnoles remains entirely free. The festival forms a summer duo with Les Vendredis de l'Été (street arts), offering free cultural events twice a week throughout the summer. The organization is managed by Destination Domfront Bagnoles (Tourist Office), with the support of the town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Normandie.
Highlights Clés de Bagnoles 2026
- Eight Sundays of free concerts, from July 5 to August 23, 2026
- International program: Quebec (Les Frères Lemay), United States (Johnny Mullenax Band), Hawaiian (Hawaian Pistoleros)
- A unique main stage at Square de Contades — René-Jambon
- Double brass band session on July 19 at Parc du Château (3:00 PM and 5:00 PM)
- 23rd edition of a historic festival, created in 2003
Programme Clés de Bagnoles 2026
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — 5:00 PM
- Nini Poulain — French Neo-chanson · Square de Contades — René-Jambon
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — 5:00 PM
- Mainlie Karma — Soul jazz · Square de Contades — René-Jambon
Sunday, July 19, 2026 — 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM (double session)
- Menace d'Éclaircie — Brass band · Parc du Château de Bagnoles
Sunday, July 26, 2026 — 5:00 PM
- Strange O'Clock — African blues · Square de Contades — René-Jambon
Sunday, August 2, 2026 — 5:00 PM
- Da'Chabada — Electro swing chanson · Square de Contades — René-Jambon
Sunday, August 9, 2026 — 5:00 PM
- Les Frères Lemay (QC) — Festive Neo-trad (Quebec) · Square de Contades — René-Jambon
Sunday, August 16, 2026 — 5:00 PM
- Johnny Mullenax Band (USA) — Country rock bluegrass · Square de Contades — René-Jambon
Sunday, August 23, 2026 — 5:00 PM
- Hawaian Pistoleros — Western swing & Hawaiian music · Square de Contades — René-Jambon
Official Program 23rd Edition / 2026 Season — Destination Domfront Bagnoles.
Prices Clés de Bagnoles 2026
No reservation or ticket necessary.
Open-air concerts — in case of rain, relocation possible to a covered venue (announcement on site and on the resort's social media).
Practical information — Clés de Bagnoles
Getting to Bagnoles-de-l'Orne
By car: Bagnoles-de-l'Orne is accessible via the D916 from Alençon (50 km, approx. 45 minutes) or from Flers (25 km, approx. 30 minutes). From Paris, take the A11 then the N12 towards Alençon and the D916 (approx. 3 hours). From Caen, take the A88 then the D962 and D916 (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes). Free parking is available throughout the town, near the various performance venues.
By train: The town does not have a train station. The nearest station is Briouze (15 km), on the Paris-Granville line. Alençon station is 50 km away. A vehicle is necessary from these stations.
Dates and times of performances
Les Clés de Bagnoles: every Sunday from early July to late August, at 5 p.m.. Open-air music concerts lasting approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. In case of rain, concerts are moved to a covered venue in the town (announced on-site and on social media).
Les Vendredis de l'Été: every Friday from early July to late August, at 9 p.m.. Street art performances lasting approximately 1 hour. Meet in the streets and squares of the town.
Performance venues
Concerts and shows take place in the public spaces of the spa town:
- Les Communs du Château: main concert stage
- Rue du Casino: street entertainment
- The gardens of the lake: concerts by the water
- The park of the Château: open-air shows
The exact locations vary weekly and are indicated in the weekly program available at the tourist office and online.
Prices
All shows of Les Clés de Bagnoles and Les Vendredis de l'Été are completely free. No booking or ticket is required. Just show up at the venue at the indicated times.
Practical advice
As the shows take place outdoors, it is recommended to bring a folding chair or a blanket to sit comfortably. In case of uncertain weather, bring rain gear. The town has many restaurants, bars, and ice cream parlors to extend the evening after the shows.
Contact
Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Tourist Office
Tel: 02 33 37 85 66
Website: www.bagnolesdelorne.com
Les Clés de Bagnoles: Music in freedom since 2003
For over twenty years, the festival Les Clés de Bagnoles has made the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Normandie vibrate to the rhythm of eclectic and free concerts. Every Sunday in the summer, at 5 p.m., musicians and singers take over the public spaces of the town to offer the public moments of live music in an enchanting setting.
An eclectic musical program
The strength of Les Clés de Bagnoles lies in the diversity of its musical program:
- Jazz: standards and contemporary jazz
- French song: established artists and emerging talents
- Rock and blues: energy and groove in the open air
- Folk pop: acoustic and poetic melodies
- Classical music: recitals and chamber ensembles
- World music: gypsy, Brazilian, African sounds...
This diversity allows it to reach a wide audience, from discerning music lovers to passers-by, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Les Vendredis de l'Été: The summer duo
Les Clés de Bagnoles forms an inseparable duo with Les Vendredis de l'Été, dedicated to street arts. Every Friday evening at 9 p.m., clownish street theater, juggling, acrobatics, burlesque comedies, and circus arts liven up the town's streets. Together, these two festivals offer free cultural events twice a week throughout the summer.
The spa town as a stage
The public spaces of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne become open-air stages:
- Les Communs du Château: main concert venue
- Rue du Casino: lively street
- The gardens of the lake: romantic setting by the water
- The park of the Château: green space for shows
A must-attend event for 20 years
With over twenty editions to its name, Les Clés de Bagnoles has established itself as a must-attend summer event in the spa town. The festival contributes to the tourist appeal of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne and the cultural vibrancy of this Norman region, combining spa relaxation and artistic pleasures in a preserved natural setting on the edge of the Andaines forest.
Where does it take place — Clés de Bagnoles
Clés de Bagnoles in brief
History of Clés de Bagnoles
Edition 2025 Jul 2025Other festivals near Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Normandie
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