Les Escales
World and contemporary music festival on the port of Saint-Nazaire
About Les Escales
Created in 1992 by Patrice Bulting, the Les Escales festival is the unmissable world music event in Saint-Nazaire. Every year at the end of July, the Île du Petit Maroc, between the Loire estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, hosts three days of concerts blending world music, pop, rock, electro, and French chanson. The festival has expanded its programming to include contemporary music while maintaining its global outlook, and is now directed by Yann Bieuzent. Approximately 40,000 to 50,000 festival-goers gather at each edition.
Les Escales: The World Music Festival of Saint-Nazaire
The Les Escales festival was born in 1992 on the île du Petit Maroc, in the heart of the port of Saint-Nazaire. Founded by Patrice Bulting, this world music festival has established itself as one of the major cultural events in Loire-Atlantique and the Pays de la Loire region. After two years of preparation, the first edition took place in mid-summer 1992, between the Loire estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.
An Exceptional Site Between the Loire and the Ocean
The festival takes place on the unique site of the île du Petit Maroc, a ten-minute walk from the city center of Saint-Nazaire. This historically significant port location offers a spectacular setting with views of the Loire estuary. Several stages are spread across the site: the Scène du Port – Crédit Mutuel (main stage), the Scène Estuaire, the Théâtre de Verdure, the Club 360, La Plage, and the Cinéville area. Together, they create a true city within a city, where festival-goers move freely between concerts.
A Program Open to the World
Originally dedicated to world music, the festival evolved under the leadership of Gérald Chabaud, director since February 2015. While retaining its international identity, Les Escales has expanded its programming to include contemporary music: pop, rock, electro, rap, French chanson. The festival makes it a point of honor to foster dialogue between musical cultures from around the world, inviting artists from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe alongside French and international headliners.
Exceptional Artists Throughout the Editions
Over its more than thirty editions, Les Escales has hosted world-renowned artists: Salif Keita, Air, Philippe Katerine, Thomas Dutronc, Feu! Chatterton, Róisín Murphy, Benjamin Biolay, Fatoumata Diawara, Gaël Faye, Manu Chao, Angélique Kidjo, Oumou Sangaré, and many others. Each edition features about fifteen artists per day, offering exceptional musical diversity.
An Accessible and Friendly Festival
Les Escales stands out for its accessible pricing policy: reasonably priced day tickets, free entry for children under 12. The festival also offers catering areas, a dedicated family zone (Safe Zone), and cultural initiatives throughout the year, such as the Globe-Trotter project which raises young people's awareness of world music. The association Les Escales, based at 23 rue d'Anjou in Saint-Nazaire, works year-round to promote musical diversity in the region.
Les Escales — edition 2026
The 34th edition of Les Escales festival will take place from July 24 to 26, 2026, on the Île du Petit Maroc in Saint-Nazaire. A diverse and eclectic program featuring Gaël Faye, Georgio, Josman, Archive, Benjamin Biolay, Fatoumata Diawara, Thylacine, Yasmine Hamdan, La Yegros, and Super Parquet, with a Sunday entirely rethought as a "feel good" day dedicated to dance and families.
Les Escales 2026: The 34th Edition
Les Escales festival returns from July 24 to 26, 2026, to the Île du Petit Maroc, in Saint-Nazaire, for its 34th edition. Under the direction of new director Yann Bieuzent, the program remains faithful to its identity as a "traveling" festival, with a reinforced openness to world music (especially Moroccan-inspired) and contemporary music.
Friday, July 24 — Hip-hop and urban music night
The first evening focuses on rap and urban music with Gaël Faye, the French-Rwandan author-rapper, Georgio, Josman, and the British group Archive closing the night.
Saturday, July 25 — Rock, world, and electro
The main day of the festival brings together Benjamin Biolay as the headliner, Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara, Lebanese Yasmine Hamdan, electro producer Thylacine, as well as Sam Sauvage, Sam Quealy, Tina Ardor, Morbid Monke, Fyrs, and Aïta mon Amour.
Sunday, July 26 — "Feel good" day dedicated to dance
A major novelty for this edition: Sunday becomes a bright, family-friendly day, from noon to dusk, entirely dedicated to dance along the Loire. On the program: La Yegros and her Nu Cumbia, Super Parquet, Ino Casablanca, Alghar, the creation "Rouge" by local artist Hervé Batteux, DJs, and folk proposals. This day requires a separate ticket (16 € full price, free for children under 12), without a 3-day pass.
Programme Les Escales 2026
Friday, July 24, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Gaël Faye
- 9:00 PM — Georgio
- 10:15 PM — Josman
- 12:30 AM — Archive
Saturday, July 25, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Fatoumata Diawara
- 8:30 PM — Benjamin Biolay (Scène du Port)
- 9:15 PM — Yasmine Hamdan
- 1:00 AM — Thylacine
- Sam Sauvage · Sam Quealy · Tina Ardor · Morbid Monke · Fyrs · Aïta mon Amour
Sunday, July 26, 2026 — Dance day (from 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM)
- 3:30 PM — La Yegros
- 4:30 PM — Super Parquet
- 6:00 PM — Alghar
- Ino Casablanca · "Rouge" (creation by Hervé Batteux) · DJs and folk proposals
Program approximately 80% confirmed as of the verification date; some names are yet to be announced.
Highlights Les Escales 2026
- 34th edition of a major world and contemporary music festival (created in 1992)
- Headliners: Benjamin Biolay, Gaël Faye, Fatoumata Diawara, Thylacine, Archive
- New for 2026: Sunday entirely dedicated to dance along the Loire, family-friendly and bright
- Unique setting on the Île du Petit Maroc, between the Loire estuary and the Atlantic Ocean
Prices Les Escales 2026
Practical information — Les Escales
Festival Access
By Car
From Nantes, take the RN171 then the RN171/D213 towards Saint-Nazaire (approx. 1 hour). The île du Petit Maroc site is located in the city center, near the port. Park-and-ride facilities are available with free shuttles on festival evenings.
By Train
Saint-Nazaire station is served by TER Pays de la Loire from Nantes (45 min), Le Croisic, and La Baule. The festival site is about a 15-minute walk from the station. SNCF offers a Billet Live combining transport and festival entry.
By Bus
The STRAN network (Saint-Nazaire urban buses) serves the city center. Special lines may be set up on festival evenings.
Ticketing
Tickets are available on the official website festival-les-escales.com, as well as on usual ticketing networks (Fnac, See Tickets, Dice). Day passes and 2-day passes available. Free for under 12s upon presentation of ID. Special rates for 12-17 year olds. CSE offers available. The festival is listed in the Pass Culture.
Food & Drink
Several food areas are available on site, with food trucks and local associations offering specialties from around the world in line with the festival's spirit. Bars and refreshment stands are present throughout the site.
Accessibility
The festival is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Dedicated contact: [email protected]. PRM platform near the main stage.
Contact
Phone: 02 51 10 00 00 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2 PM to 6 PM)
Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Les Escales
Île du Petit Maroc
Île du Petit Maroc, avenue de la Vieille Ville, 44600 Saint-Nazaire