Les Estivales de Valence

Les Estivales de Valence: An XXL Summer of Culture and Festivities

Each year, from June 20 to September 20, the City of Valence and its partners offer an exceptional cultural and sports program through Les Estivales. Over forty free or very accessible events take over the city's public spaces to offer Valence residents and visitors a summer rich in discoveries and emotions.

A Varied and Accessible Program

Les Estivales de Valence offer a range of activities that reflect the city's cultural diversity:

• Open-air concerts: Free musical evenings in various locations in the city, from Champ de Mars to Parc Jouvet.
• Jazz on the Lawn: Organized by Jazz Action Valence, these Sunday evenings in August feature live jazz on the lawn of Parc Jouvet, in a bucolic setting by the Rhône.
• Open-air cinema: Cinema screenings under the stars are scheduled in July and early August, for the enjoyment of the whole family.
• Shows for young audiences: Performances dedicated to children are organized at Parc Jouvet in July.
• La Valentinoise de pétanque: This major popular tournament brings together over 1,500 players at Champ de Mars at the end of June.
• Guinguettes and festivities: Dance evenings, night markets, and friendly activities punctuate the Valence summer.

Iconic Valence Locations

Les Estivales take over the most beautiful public spaces in the city. Parc Jouvet, a magnificent 7-hectare garden overlooking the Rhône, hosts shows for young audiences and jazz on the lawn. Champ de Mars, a vast esplanade in the city center, is the venue for major concerts and La Valentinoise de pétanque. The boulevards, the Gérard Philippe promenade, and the squares of the old town also come alive throughout the summer.

An Intergenerational Program

Les Estivales are for all audiences. Families enjoy shows for young audiences and open-air cinema, music lovers savor concerts and jazz, sports enthusiasts participate in tournaments and challenges, and foodies gather around the guinguettes and gastronomic events. This unifying program contributes to the quality of life and attractiveness of Valence during the summer period.

A Highlight: The Festival Sur le Champ!

The highlight of Les Estivales, the Festival Sur le Champ! offers four evenings of 100% free concerts in July at Champ de Mars. This festival in its own right, with its national headliners, attracts over 40,000 spectators and is the peak moment of the Valence summer.