Les Nuits d'été

A traveling festival in the heart of the Avant-pays savoyard

The Les Nuits d'été festival is a unique artistic adventure that transforms the villages, barns, chapels, and clearings of the Avant-pays savoyard into ephemeral stages each August. For nearly ten days, the festival offers two to three daily events in different towns, at 11 am, 5 pm, or 8:30 pm, inviting spectators on an artistic and geographical journey gradually leading towards the lake of Aiguebelette.

Birth and evolution of the festival

The adventure began in 2001, when Julian Boutin, violist of the Béla quartet, decided to share his musical passion by organizing concerts around the lake of Aiguebelette. From a simple desire to share music, a strong dynamic emerged, gradually expanding to other performing arts disciplines. The Les Nuits d'été association was formally established in 2005 to structure the project. Over the editions, the festival opened up to theater, circus, poetry, and contemporary music, becoming a recognized multidisciplinary event.

A collegial artistic direction

Until 2016, Julian Boutin was solely responsible for the artistic direction. Since then, the programming has been entrusted to a collective composed of Léonce, Léonie Delesculier, Jean-Philippe Grometto, Juliette Piro, and Jérôme Vial. This collegial approach enriches the diversity of offerings and anchors the festival in a shared creation process. A collegial council of 11 members supports the collective, with the help of numerous volunteers and professional technicians.

Places that create the magic

The strength of Les Nuits d'été lies in the choice of locations: each performance takes place in a unique site—a restored barn, a clearing by the water, a Romanesque chapel, a private garden—creating a rare intimacy between artists and spectators. The Pays du lac d'Aiguebelette region, with its preserved landscapes between lake and mountain, offers a natural setting that fully contributes to the artistic experience.

A demanding and accessible program

Approximately 23 shows are offered at each edition, with a commitment to making live art accessible to all. The deliberately modest prices and varied schedules allow everyone to create their own festival experience. From chamber music concerts to contemporary circus performances, from poetry recitals to open-air theater, the festival cultivates eclecticism and quality.