Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay
Festival of Latin Music and Dances
About Les Musicales du Puy
Created in 1974, Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay is a festival of Latin music and dances held every summer at the Centre Pierre Cardinal and on the Esplanade Claude Nougaro, in the heart of the upper town. For eight days in July, the festival offers intensive workshops in singing, music, dance, and sound technique, five evening concerts, and off-program events. From tango to flamenco, from gypsy jazz to fado, it explores Latin music from Eastern Europe to South America, welcoming around a hundred participants and nearly 5,000 festival-goers.
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A Festival of Latin Music in the Heart of the Velay Since 1974
The Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay were born in 1974, driven by a passion for music and dances of Latin inspiration. Initially conceived as a festival of Latin American creation and expression, the event gradually opened up to all Latin music, revealing the warm sounds from Eastern Europe to South America, passing through the Mediterranean basin. Over the decades, the festival has become a must-attend event for lovers of tango, flamenco, Cuban and Brazilian music, gypsy jazz, fado, and Balkan polyphonies.
An Exceptional Venue: The Upper Town of Le Puy-en-Velay
The festival comes alive within the Centre Pierre Cardinal, located at 9 rue Jules Vallès, and on the Esplanade Claude Nougaro, in the heart of the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay. This historic and heritage site offers a unique setting combining accommodation, catering, workshop rooms for participants, concert stages, and green spaces for the off-program events. The atmosphere is both studious during the day and festive in the evening, within a remarkable architectural setting.
Eight Days of Intensive Workshops
One of the unique features of Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay is its comprehensive workshop program spanning eight days, with classes held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., totaling approximately 50 hours of training. About ten workshops are offered each year, divided into several categories:
- Choirs: Argentine music, Brazilian music, polyphonies from Central and Eastern Europe
- Instrumental Music: Gypsy jazz, Andean music, tango, Franco-Latin song, Central European music
- Dance: Spanish dances, flamenco, Cuban salsa, Argentine tango
- Technique: Recording and sound engineering
These workshops are led by renowned national and international professional teachers and musicians, offering high-quality instruction to participants of all levels.
Concerts and Festive Evenings
Each edition features five evening concerts at 9:15 p.m. on the Esplanade Claude Nougaro. Over the years, the festival has hosted renowned artists such as Richard Galliano, Tania Maria, Katia Guerreiro, Melingo, Mercedes Peón, Louis Winsberg, and Susana Baca. The free-entry off-program events also punctuate the week with milongas, Cuban nights, and Latin nights that extend the celebration.
An Associative and Friendly Festival
The festival is driven by an association composed of about a hundred volunteers and fifteen service managers ensuring accommodation, catering, and logistics. Each year, Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay welcomes around 100 participants from all over Europe and nearly 5,000 festival-goers, in a warm, passionate, and friendly atmosphere that has made the event's reputation.
Les Musicales du Puy — edition 2026
New edition of Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay, a festival of Latin music and dances at the Centre Pierre Cardinal and on the Esplanade Claude Nougaro. Intensive workshops in singing, instrumental music, dance, and sound technique, five evening concerts, and off-program events in the unique setting of the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay.
Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay Return in 2026
The festival Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay returns in July 2026 for a new edition at the Centre Pierre Cardinal and on the Esplanade Claude Nougaro, in the exceptional setting of the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay.
True to its tradition since 1974, the festival will offer eight days of intensive workshops in singing, instrumental music, dance, and sound technique, led by professional teachers and musicians. The musical program will once again explore the extraordinary repertoire of Latin music, from tango to flamenco, from gypsy jazz to fado, from Cuban and Brazilian music to Eastern European polyphonies.
Five evening concerts and free-entry off-program events (milonga, Cuban night, Latin night) will punctuate the week, offering participants and festival-goers unforgettable moments of music and conviviality.
Highlights Les Musicales du Puy 2026
- New edition in July 2026
- Eight-day intensive workshops in singing, music, dance, and technique
- Five evening concerts on the Esplanade Claude Nougaro
- Off-program events with free admission: milonga, Cuban night, Latin night
- Exceptional setting of the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay
Prices Les Musicales du Puy 2026
Practical information — Les Musicales du Puy
Practical Information
Venue
The festival takes place at the Centre Pierre Cardinal, 9 rue Jules Vallès, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay, and on the Esplanade Claude Nougaro, in the heart of the upper town. The site includes accommodation, catering, workshop rooms, concert stages, and green spaces.
Access
- By Car: Le Puy-en-Velay is accessible via the N102 from Clermont-Ferrand (approx. 1h30 via A75 then N102), via the RN88 from Saint-Étienne (approx. 1h15) or from Lyon (approx. 2h via A47 then RN88). Parking is available in the city center.
- By Train: Le Puy-en-Velay SNCF station, served by TER trains from Saint-Étienne (1h15) and Lyon (2h30 with a connection). The Centre Pierre Cardinal is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
Accommodation and Catering
The Centre Pierre Cardinal offers full-board accommodation for participants registered for the eight-day workshops. The workshop fee includes classes, five concerts, accommodation, and meals. For festival-goers not registered for workshops, the Le Puy-en-Velay Tourist Office can provide information on hotels, B&Bs, gîtes, and campsites in the region.
Workshop Prices
The eight-day workshop package, including tuition, five concerts, accommodation, and catering, is available from approximately 225 euros (price varies by edition). Concerts can also be attended individually.
Concert Ticketing
Tickets for the evening concerts are available on-site. Some off-program events (milonga, Cuban night, Latin night) are offered with free admission. For detailed pricing, consult the festival's official website or contact the organization.
Contact
- Phone: 06 72 58 27 67
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.lesmusicales43.com
Tips
- The workshops are open to musicians, singers, and dancers of all levels.
- Register well in advance as workshop places are limited to about a hundred participants.
- The setting of the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay is ideal for cultural strolls between classes and concerts.
- The festival usually takes place during the second week of July: plan your stay accordingly.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Les Musicales du Puy at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Les Musicales du Puy
Centre Pierre Cardinal et Esplanade Claude Nougaro
9 rue Jules Vallès, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay