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.