Les Musicales du Puy-en-Velay

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.