Les Escapades
Free musical evenings in the open air in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban
About Les Escapades
Les Escapades: the summer musical event of Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban
Since 2011, the Les Escapades festival has established itself as a must-attend event on the music scene of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Organized by the Théâtre Durance, Scène nationale, this festive and popular event celebrates the end of the theater's season and the arrival of summer each year by offering free open-air concert evenings on the Plateau des Lauzières, in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban.
A festival rooted in musical discovery
Les Escapades cultivates curiosity and discovery by programming bands and artists already recognized on the professional circuit but still little known to the general public. The eclectic programming mixes genres and universes: jazz, rock, electro, hip-hop, funk, folk, world music, chanson, fanfare, and psychedelic pop. Each edition invites artists from several countries, offering a rich and surprising musical panorama.
A philosophy of accessibility and conviviality
Since its creation, Les Escapades has been driven by a strong commitment to accessibility for all. Admission is entirely free, making the festival a truly popular and intergenerational event. The site opens at 7 p.m. with catering and bar services featuring local products. A 'bar des minots', open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., welcomes younger children with non-alcoholic drinks, games, and child-height books.
The festival also implements remarkable accessibility measures: free earplugs and noise-canceling headphones, vibrating vests for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, a quiet space for well-being, and PMR accessibility throughout the site. An information point at the entrance guides festival-goers upon arrival.
An eco-responsible commitment
Les Escapades is committed to an eco-responsible approach with the use of reusable cups, the provision of water points, sourcing local products, and selective waste sorting. This environmental awareness has been an integral part of the festival's identity since its first editions.
Théâtre Durance, Scène nationale
Organizer of Les Escapades, Théâtre Durance is a place for artistic creation and diffusion located on the Plateau des Lauzières in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban. Labeled Scène nationale by the Ministry of Culture in 2023, it offers a multidisciplinary program throughout the year: dance, circus, theater, music, and visual arts. Les Escapades mark the festive highlight of each season, transforming the theater's surroundings into a true open-air musical village.
Les Escapades — edition 2026
The 16th edition of the Les Escapades festival will take place on Thursday, June 18, Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, 2026 on the Plateau des Lauzières in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban. Three evenings of free open-air concerts to celebrate the end of the season for Théâtre Durance, Scène nationale, and the arrival of summer, with an eclectic program featuring ALA.NI, Mélissa Laveaux, OTTiLiE [B], Karma Sheen, La Louuve, Sarāb, Friedberg, and Le Buffet Sonore.
16th Edition — June 18 to 20, 2026
Les Escapades return for their 16th edition on June 18, 19, and 20, 2026 on the Plateau des Lauzières. This year, the festival expands to three evenings of free open-air concerts, with an international program featuring varied aesthetics: soul jazz blues, folk pop, post-digital chanson, psychedelic rock, post-punk Arabic poetry, indie pop, and DJ set.
A new evening on Thursday
For the first time, Les Escapades opens on Thursday evening with two traveling artists: ALA.NI (England/Grenada) and Mélissa Laveaux (Canada/France/Haiti). Friday and Saturday extend the adventure with OTTiLiE [B], Karma Sheen, La Louuve, Sarāb, and Friedberg. Between and after the concerts, Le Buffet Sonore provides a vintage mobile disco with funk, afro, latino, cumbia, and electro-rock vibes.
The site and reception
The site opens at 7:00 PM each day, with catering provided by food trucks, a refreshment stand, a kids' bar for children (from 7 PM to 10 PM), and enhanced accessibility features (earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, vibrating vests, Auracast technology, quiet space, PRM accessibility). Concerts begin at 8:00 PM.
Programme Les Escapades 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026 — Opening
- ALA.NI — soul jazz blues (England / Grenada). Sunny voice and cinematic universe.
- Mélissa Laveaux — folk pop (Canada / France / Haiti). Blended folk drawing from Haitian heritage.
- Le Buffet Sonore — vintage mobile disco (funk, afro, latino, cumbia, electro-rock).
Friday, June 19, 2026
- OTTiLiE [B] — post-digital chanson (France).
- Karma Sheen — psychedelic rock (England / Pakistan).
- La Louuve — DJ set (France / Algeria), new for 2026 to close the evening.
- Le Buffet Sonore — mobile disco between concerts.
Saturday, June 20, 2026 — Closing
- Sarāb — post-punk Arabic poetry (France / Syria).
- Friedberg — indie pop (England / Austria).
- Le Buffet Sonore — mobile disco between concerts.
Site opens daily at 7:00 PM, concerts begin at 8:00 PM. Full program and artist bios on theatredurance.fr.
Highlights Les Escapades 2026
- 16th edition — expanding to 3 evenings (Thursday, June 18, Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, 2026)
- Free open-air concerts on the Plateau des Lauzières
- International lineup: ALA.NI, Mélissa Laveaux, OTTiLiE [B], Karma Sheen, Sarāb, Friedberg + DJ La Louuve
- Le Buffet Sonore mobile disco between concerts
- Site opens at 7 PM, concerts at 8 PM, kids' bar from 7 PM to 10 PM
- Enhanced accessibility features (vibrating vests, Auracast, noise-canceling headphones)
Prices Les Escapades 2026
Practical information — Les Escapades
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban is accessible via the A51 motorway, exits 20 or 21. Follow the "Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban / Les Escapades" signs on the evening of the festival. Free parking near the site.
By train: Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban station is served by TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur trains on the Marseille-Briançon line. The Plateau des Lauzières is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
On Site
The site opens at 7 p.m. Concerts start at 8 p.m. and continue until around 1 a.m. A bar and catering service with local products are available on site. Reusable cups are provided for a deposit.
Families and Young Audiences
The 'bar des minots' is open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and offers children non-alcoholic drinks, games, and child-height books in a dedicated and secure space.
Accessibility
The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and vibrating vests are provided free of charge. A quiet space is set up for the well-being of festival-goers. An information point is located at the entrance to the site.
Contact
Théâtre Durance, Scène nationale
Les Lauzières, 04160 Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban
Phone: 04 92 64 27 34
Website: www.theatredurance.fr
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Where does it take place — Les Escapades
Plateau des Lauzières - Théâtre Durance
Plateau des Lauzières, 04160 Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban