Les Estivales de Lods
Festival of poetry, piano, and philosophy in the heart of the Loue valley
About Estivales de Lods
Les Estivales de Lods: Where Poetry, Piano, and Philosophy Share the Same Breath
Every year in August, the village of Lods, nestled in the peaceful folds of the Loue valley near Ornans, hosts a unique festival where poetry, piano, and philosophy meet. The Estivales de Lods, organized by the association Les Amis de la Poésie, du Piano, de la Philosophie et des Arts, offers three days of intellectual and artistic sharing in an exceptional natural and heritage setting.
A Festival of Encounters and Sharing
Les Estivales de Lods aims to be a time for dialogue between the public and artists: writers, poets, pianists, composers, and philosophers gather for about ten events. Afternoons are dedicated to collective moments — round tables, readings, free discussions — and end with moments of conviviality, the famous "glasses of friendship" enjoyed in the heart of the village or on the heights of the castle.
Poetry and Piano Recitals
Evenings are dedicated to poetry and piano recitals, blending readings of poems from around the world with piano interpretations of works by Beethoven, Mahler, Saariaho, Durupt, and other composers. The festival highlights the living link between text and music, between generations and disciplines.
Piano Composition Prize on Poems
An original feature of Les Estivales de Lods is the piano composition prize based on poems, awarded each year. The winning work is performed at the closing recital, demonstrating the vitality of the dialogue between literary and musical creation. This prize reflects the festival's commitment to contemporary creation.
Poetry in the Streets and Participatory Workshops
The festival also features "Poetry in the Streets" processions, inviting the public to wander through the village with poetic readings. Workshops with the festival's pianists, composers, and readers allow participants to engage in artistic creation. The event is free and open to all, with the exception of certain concerts, illustrating the organizers' commitment to openness and sharing.
Estivales de Lods — edition 2026
Les Estivales de Lods 2026
The Estivales de Lods return in early August 2026 for a new edition in the village of Lods. The festival will offer its usual program of meetings, poetry and piano recitals, round tables, workshops, and Poetry in the Streets processions.
This year's edition theme is "To love to live, Սիրել ապրելու համար" with Armenia as the guest country.
This edition invites reflection on love as a condition of existence — in poetry, music, philosophical thought, and sharing. Conferences, concerts, workshops, and convivial moments will punctuate these five days, in a spirit of encounter open to everyone.
All activities are free (with the exception of the piano concert and meals).
Programme Estivales de Lods 2026
Tuesday, August 4th — Besançon, at the Centre de Linguistique Appliquée (CLA)
5:30 PM: Armenia, a country, a poetry, a voice— with Charles Akopian, Christophe Dauphin and François Migeot.
Thursday, August 6th — Lods
5:30 PM: Poetry in the Streets - Departure from rue du Bief Poutot
6:45 PM: Friendly drink - Forecourt of Saint-Théodule Church
7:30 PM: Piano Concert — L. Durupt & T. Nguyen. Schubert, Sonata D.960; Brahms, Ballades & Intermezzos - Saint-Théodule Church
Friday, August 7th — Lods
10:00 AM: Philosophy Seminar I — « Love as the only world »J.-L. Marion — Lods Town Hall
12:30 PM: Lunch Buffet - Château de Lods
2:00 PM: Intimacy with an artist, with Christine Lorent
Magazine stand, bookstore — Château
3:00 PM: Round table: Daniel Leroux or the renewal of storytelling, with Daniel Leroux and Pierrick de Chermont — Château
4:00 PM: Poets in Franche-ComtéJacques Ancet, Annelyse Simao — hosted by François Migeot — Château
5:30 PM: Voice from elsewhere — Pascal Ory. Discussion hosted by Nicolas Idier and Réginald Gaillard — Château
7:30 PM: Friendly drink & tribute to the Prix Chassignet laureates Signing sessions — Château
Saturday, August 8th — Lods
10:00 AM: Philosophy Seminar II — « Love as the only world »J.-L. Marion — Lods Town Hall
12:30 PM: Lunch Buffet Château
2:00 PM: Intimacy with an artist — Christine Lorent and Magazine stand, bookstore — Château
3:00 PM: Workshops for in-depth exploration: Armenia · Prints & illustrations · Music & creation · Country & nation · Poem & poetry — Château
4:00 PM: Poetry and piano recitalChâteau — creation of the winning miniature of the Composition on Poem Prize
6:30 PM: Friendly drink & presentation of the Composition on Poem Prize - Château
Highlights Estivales de Lods 2026
- Poetry, piano, philosophy, exhibition, bookstore
- Meetings, recitals and workshops, concert, meals, friendly drinks
- Free access and open to all (with the exception of meals and the concert)
Prices Estivales de Lods 2026
Practical information — Estivales de Lods
Practical Information
Location
Village of Lods (25930), Loue valley, about 35 km south of Besançon and near Ornans.
Access
By car: From Besançon, take the D67 towards Ornans then Lods. Free parking in the village.
By train: Besançon-Viotte station (35 km), then car.
Prices
Free and open access festival (some concerts may be ticketed).
Contact
Association Les Amis de la Poésie, du Piano, de la Philosophie et des Arts
Email: [email protected]
Website: estivalesdelods.org
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Where does it take place — Estivales de Lods
Village de Lods
Village de Lods, 25930 Lods