Les Divas du Jazz
The festival of the great female voices of jazz
About Divas du Jazz
Les Divas du Jazz: A Unique Festival Dedicated to Female Jazz Voices
An unprecedented event among the some 470 jazz festivals in France, Les Divas du Jazz is the first festival entirely dedicated to the great female voices of jazz. Born in 2022 from the initiative of the Communauté de Communes Châteaubriant-Derval, in partnership with the City of Châteaubriant, this free, open-air summer event honors French and international singers who perpetuate the spirit and tradition of jazz through its multiple styles: swing, New Orleans, be-bop, bossa nova, and many others.
An Exceptional Artistic Direction
The festival is under the artistic direction of Jean-Philippe Vidal, conductor of the Côte Ouest Big Band and director of "Nuits du Jazz". His expertise and network in the jazz world allow for a high-quality program each year, blending established artists and talents to discover. Among the singers who have marked previous editions: Jany McPherson, Virginia Constantine, Katrin Merili, Nicolle Rochelle, Emilie Hedou, Hetty Kate, Ella Rabeson, Kristel Adams, Leslie Lewis, Jody Sternberg, and Mélodie Cambou.
Three Days of Jazz in a Heritage Setting
Each edition unfolds over three days with about fifteen free concerts spread across several stages. In Châteaubriant, spectators enjoy concerts on the promenade du Duc d'Aumale at the foot of the castle, on the Motte stage, at the bandstand, in the covered market, and in the rampart garden. On Sunday, the festival moves to a heritage site in a neighboring municipality: the Forge-Neuve site in Moisdon-la-Rivière or the Forges de la Hunaudière in Sion-les-Mines, offering an invitation to discover local heritage.
A Rich and Eclectic Program
Beyond the great female voices that form its common thread, the festival hosts orchestras, jazz groups, trios, quartets, and quintets, as well as late-night jam sessions. The styles represented cover a wide spectrum: from swing to be-bop, from New Orleans jazz to bossa nova, from jazz rhythm'n'blues to gypsy jazz. Each evening concludes with a jam session open to musicians.
A Popular and Friendly Festival
With over 4,000 spectators at each edition, Les Divas du Jazz has established itself as a major cultural event in the north of Loire-Atlantique. The completely free access, on-site food and drink, and contingency plans in case of rain (theater, covered market, hall) contribute to making this festival an event accessible to all, in a festive and friendly atmosphere.
Divas du Jazz — edition 2026
The 5th edition of the Les Divas du Jazz festival takes place from June 26 to 28, 2026, in Châteaubriant and at the Forges de Moisdon-la-Rivière site. Entirely free, the festival celebrates great female jazz voices, both French and international, with about fifteen open-air concerts. Among the announced artists: Elisa Palazzi, Leïla Duclos, Suzy Randria, and the Australian Melissa Lesnie.
5th Edition — June 26 to 28, 2026
The Les Divas du Jazz festival returns for its 5th edition from June 26 to 28, 2026. True to its mission, this entirely free event honors great female jazz voices, both French and international, accompanied by orchestras, trios, quartets, and quintets, through about fifteen open-air concerts.
Concerts take place on the festival's emblematic stages in Châteaubriant: the Scène du Duc d'Aumale (promenade at the foot of the castle), the Scène de la Motte, the Kiosque à musique, the Marché couvert, and the Jardin des remparts. On Sunday, June 28, the festival moves to the heritage site of the Forges de Moisdon-la-Rivière.
2026 Headliners
This edition highlights four singers among the program: Elisa Palazzi, Leïla Duclos (rising star of vocal jazz), Suzy Randria (singer of Malagasy origin), and the Australian Melissa Lesnie. They share the stage with numerous ensembles and formations that make the historic center swing throughout the weekend, from New Orleans jazz to be-bop, passing through swing and bossa nova.
An open-air guinguette also enlivens Saturday evening from 6:30 PM, with three concerts until midnight.
Programme Divas du Jazz 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Ricardo Izquierdo & Arnaud Lechantre Trio · Scène de la Motte
- 7:30 PM — M.H.M. Trio · Kiosque à musique
- 9:00 PM — Elisa Palazzi · Scène du Duc d'Aumale
- 10:30 PM — Friday evening Jam session · Scène de la Motte
Saturday, June 27, 2026
- 11:30 AM — The Crescent Jazz Trio · Marché couvert
- 12:30 PM — Soul Jazz Quartet · Scène de la Motte
- 2:00 PM — Nicolas Rousserie Trio · Jardin des remparts
- 3:30 PM — Let It Swing · Marché couvert
- 5:00 PM — Leïla Duclos · Scène du Duc d'Aumale
- 6:30 PM — Natacha and the C Jazz Band · Scène de la Motte
- 6:30 PM → midnight — Open-air Guinguette: three concerts
- 8:30 PM — Enerjizz · Scène de la Motte
- 9:00 PM — Suzy Randria · Scène du Duc d'Aumale
- 10:30 PM — The Swing Stompers · Scène de la Motte
Sunday, June 28, 2026 — Forges de Moisdon-la-Rivière
- 12:30 PM — Roxane Roussel Jazz Quintet · Site des Forges
- 3:00 PM — Melissa Lesnie · Site des Forges
Highlights Divas du Jazz 2026
- 5th edition, from June 26 to 28, 2026
- Completely free, open-air festival
- About fifteen concerts over three days
- Headliners: Elisa Palazzi, Leïla Duclos, Suzy Randria, Melissa Lesnie
- Concerts in Châteaubriant (promenade du Duc d'Aumale, Scène de la Motte, Kiosque, Marché couvert, Jardin des remparts) then at the Forges de Moisdon-la-Rivière on Sunday
- Open-air guinguette on Saturday evening from 6:30 PM
Prices Divas du Jazz 2026
Practical information — Divas du Jazz
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Châteaubriant is located about 1 hour from Nantes, 45 minutes from Rennes, 1 hour from Angers, and 3.5 hours from Paris. Follow signs for the center of Châteaubriant. Free parking near the concert venues.
By public transport: Châteaubriant is served by the Nantes-Châteaubriant tram-train line (line 12). The station is a few minutes' walk from the historic center and the festival stages.
Festival Venues
Concerts take place outdoors on several stages in Châteaubriant:
- Promenade du Duc d'Aumale — main stage, at the foot of the castle
- Scène de la Motte
- Kiosque à musique (Bandstand)
- Marché couvert (Covered Market)
- Jardin des remparts (Rampart Garden)
On Sundays, the festival moves to a heritage site in the region (Forge-Neuve in Moisdon-la-Rivière or Forges de la Hunaudière in Sion-les-Mines depending on the edition).
Pricing
Completely free festival. Free access to all concerts.
Food and Drink
Food and drink available at the various festival sites.
Rain Contingency
In case of bad weather, concerts are moved to indoor venues: theater, covered market, or municipal hall.
Contact
Pôle Culture — Communauté de Communes Châteaubriant-Derval
3-5 rue Gabriel Delatour, 44110 Châteaubriant
Tel: 02 28 04 06 33
Email: [email protected]
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Divas du Jazz
Promenade du Duc d'Aumale
Promenade du Duc d'Aumale, 44110 Châteaubriant