Les Estivales en Savoie
Free multidisciplinary festival in the courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie
About Estivales en Savoie
Les Estivales en Savoie: Free Music in the Heart of Chambéry
For over twenty years, Les Estivales en Savoie has been the premier free summer music event in Savoie. Supported by the Department of Savoie, it transforms the courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie into an open-air stage in the heart of Chambéry's historic center every summer. This remarkable heritage setting, dominated by the castle's semi-circular tower, lends a unique and intimate atmosphere to the concerts.
An Eclectic and Demanding Program
The strength of Les Estivales lies in its ability to offer a varied and accessible program for everyone, without any price barriers. Jazz, rock, French chanson, world music, electro, reggae, soul, pop, salsa: each edition crosses genres and cultures to offer about ten exceptional musical evenings. Over the years, the festival has hosted renowned artists such as Yuri Buenaventura, Barbara Pravi, Feu! Chatterton, Terrenoire, Oxmo Puccino, and many others, mixing national headliners and regional discoveries.
A Commitment to Free Access
Facing rising production costs and decreasing public funding, the Department of Savoie made the decision in 2025 to move to a biennial rhythm — one edition every two years — in order to preserve the artistic quality and the complete freeness of the event. This decision reflects the organizers' commitment to making culture accessible to the greatest number of people, without compromising the quality of the program.
The Château des ducs de Savoie: A Historic Gem
The inner courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie, residence of the sovereigns of the House of Savoy from the 13th to the 16th century, offers a spectacular architectural setting for open-air concerts. This listed site, which today houses the Prefecture of Savoie, welcomes festival-goers in a safe and friendly space, just a short walk from the old town of Chambéry and its picturesque streets.
A Unifying Festival for the Region
With nearly 19,000 spectators per edition, Les Estivales en Savoie plays an essential role in the cultural and tourist life of Chambéry during the summer. The festival brings together a diverse audience—families, young people, discerning music lovers—and contributes to the influence of the Savoyard capital. The 2026 edition, the 24th of its name, promises a top-tier program including Salif Keita and Yamê among the first announced names.
Estivales en Savoie — edition 2026
The 24th edition of Les Estivales en Savoie takes place from June 27 to July 9, 2026, in the main courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie in Chambéry. Nine evenings of entirely free concerts bring together thirteen artists with varied styles — pop, electro-folk, rap, jazz, world music, and afrobeat — from MPL to Yaël Naim, including Yamê, Charlie Winston, and Mélissa Laveaux. After this edition, the festival will adopt a biennial rhythm: the next edition will be in 2028.
Estivales en Savoie 2026 — 24th edition, June 27 to July 9
Les Estivales en Savoie return for their 24th edition from Saturday, June 27 to Thursday, July 9, 2026, in the main courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie, in Chambéry. Organized by the Savoie Department, this edition offers nine evenings of free concerts bringing together thirteen artists, always faithful to the spirit of total gratuity and musical eclecticism.
From MPL's pop to Yaël Naim's electro-folk, from Yamê's rap to L'Usine à Jazz's revisited chanson, from the world music of Quatuor Béla and the Sabîl duo to Ajate's afrobeat, the program spans genres and continents. Access remains free and open, without reservation, within the limit of available seats; doors open 1h15 before each concert.
A final annual edition before switching to biennial
Faced with rising production costs and decreasing public funding, the Savoie Department has chosen to switch to a biennial rhythm starting with this edition: there will be no Estivales in 2027, with the next edition planned for 2028. This choice aims to preserve the artistic quality and total gratuity of the event.
Salif Keita: closing concert canceled
Announced as the headliner for the closing night on July 9, Malian music legend Salif Keita had to cancel his tour for health reasons. The Savoie Department is looking for a replacement artist; his opening act, Karim Dabo, is however maintained.
Programme Estivales en Savoie 2026
Main courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie · Free and open access, no reservation required, within the limit of available seats · Doors open 1h15 before each concert.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Opening Night
- From 5 PM: street entertainment, food trucks, circus theater, and aerial acrobatics in and around the castle.
- 9:30 PM — MPL · French alternative pop. The entire show is accessible in French Sign Language (LSF).
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
- 9 PM — Quatuor Béla & Duo Sabîl · encounter between oriental and occidental traditions, the Palestinian duo Sabîl dialoguing with the string quartet.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
- 8 PM — Nótt · Chambéry duo, opening act.
- Yaël Naim · French-Israeli artist with a sunny voice, presenting her electro-folk repertoire.
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Rap Night
- 8 PM — Cyrious · Lyon artist, opening act.
- Yamê · rap/jazz revelation, revelation of the Victoires de la Musique 2024.
Friday, July 3, 2026
- 9 PM — Mélissa Laveaux · Franco-Canadian psychedelic folk with Caribbean influences.
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- 9 PM — L'Usine à Jazz · eighteen musicians revisiting French chanson.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
- 9 PM — Charlie Winston · British artist, presenting his album « Love Isn't Easy » blending pop, jazz, and rock.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
- 8 PM — Mitsune · Berlin quartet reinventing folklore, opening act.
- Ajate · collective blending afrobeat and Japanese instruments.
Thursday, July 9, 2026 — Closing Night
- 8 PM — Karim Dabo · opening act, accompanied by unaccompanied minor youths from a percussion workshop.
- Salif Keita — concert canceled for health reasons; the Department is looking for a replacement artist.
Bus shuttles are organized from Les Bauges, La Maurienne, Albertville, Aix-les-Bains, and Lac d'Aiguebelette, in conjunction with the socio-cultural centers of the territories concerned.
Highlights Estivales en Savoie 2026
- Dates: from Saturday, June 27 to Thursday, July 9, 2026
- 24th edition — nine evenings of entirely free concerts
- Thirteen artists: MPL, Quatuor Béla & Sabîl, Yaël Naim, Yamê, Mélissa Laveaux, L'Usine à Jazz, Charlie Winston, Mitsune, Ajate, Karim Dabo…
- Heritage setting: main courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie, Chambéry
- Free and open access, no reservation required; doors 1h15 before concerts
- Opening concert (MPL) accessible in French Sign Language
- Bus shuttles from Les Bauges, La Maurienne, Albertville, Aix-les-Bains, and Lac d'Aiguebelette
- Salif Keita (closing on July 9) canceled for health reasons — replacement artist being sought
- Last annual edition: switching to biennial rhythm, next edition in 2028
Prices Estivales en Savoie 2026
Practical information — Estivales en Savoie
Practical Information
Access
Address: Courtyard of the Château des ducs de Savoie, Place du Château, 73000 Chambéry.
By car: Chambéry is accessible via the A43 (Lyon-Chambéry) and A41 (Grenoble-Chambéry-Annecy) motorways. Parking available in the city center nearby.
By train: Chambéry-Challes-les-Eaux station (TGV from Paris in 3h, TER from Lyon in 1h30). The castle is a 10-minute walk from the station.
Prices
Free admission for all concerts.
Schedules
Evening concerts, generally starting at 8:30 PM. Doors open from 7:00 PM.
Contact
Department of Savoie
Website: savoie.fr
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Where does it take place — Estivales en Savoie
Château des ducs de Savoie
Place du Château, 73000 Chambéry