Les Estivales de Saône

A traveling festival rooted in the villages

Created in 1997 by Echo System, a contemporary music venue labeled SMAC in Scey-sur-Saône-et-Saint-Albin, Les Estivales de Saône were born from a simple and generous desire: to bring live music where it doesn't always go, to the villages and small towns of Haute-Saône. In nearly thirty years, the festival has become an unmissable summer event in the Haute-Saône region.

A month of free open-air concerts

From early July to late July or early August, about twenty concerts take over village squares, parks, and farmyards in about twenty communes. The concerts, which start at 8:30 PM, are completely free and open to all. Each week, a different artist or group travels the territory, offering the public a variety of styles: French chanson, pop, folk, vocal swing, festive traditional music, world music… The demanding and eclectic programming showcases discoveries and emerging artists.

Exemplary territorial work

Les Estivales de Saône are distinguished by their territorial roots. The festival works in close collaboration with intercommunalities and local elected officials to stage each concert in a suitable location. In 2025, ten intercommunalities partnered with the event, allowing music to reach twenty communes. This territorial network makes Les Estivales a model of cultural action in rural areas.

Vocal workshops and courses

Beyond the concerts, the festival offers musical practice workshops and vocal courses, in partnership with organizations like the Cité de la Voix. These moments of sharing and learning strengthen the bond between artists and residents, in the friendly and participatory spirit that characterizes Les Estivales de Saône.

Echo System, cultural engine of Haute-Saône

Echo System, located in the Écu industrial zone in Scey-sur-Saône, is the driving force behind this festival. Labeled SMAC (Scène de Musiques Actuelles), this concert venue offers a rich and varied program all year round, of which Les Estivales are the summer highlight. Echo System plays an essential role in the dissemination of contemporary music in Haute-Saône, a rural territory where cultural offerings are precious.