Les Nuits du Sud
World music under the plane trees of Vence
About Nuits du Sud
A world music festival born in 1997 in Vence
Les Nuits du Sud were born in 1997 on the initiative of Teo Saavedra, founder and artistic director of the festival. This first edition offered seven free evenings around "Musique Verdadera" (true music), laying the groundwork for a festival dedicated to musical crossovers and world cultures. From 1998 onwards, the evenings became ticketed, and the festival has continued to grow to become one of the major summer events on the French Riviera.
The Place du Grand-Jardin: a unique Provençal setting
Much of the charm of Les Nuits du Sud lies in its location: the Place du Grand-Jardin in Vence, a Provençal village square lined with century-old plane trees, restaurants, and bars. Every summer, this square transforms into an open-air theater capable of hosting several thousand spectators in an intimate and warm atmosphere. The natural acoustics of the place, the mild summer evenings, and the proximity between artists and the audience create a unique alchemy, far from standardized festival formats.
2024 Edition: Caravan Palace, Christophe Maé, and Julian Marley
The 27th edition took place from July 4 to 13, 2024, at the Grand-Jardin. The opening night brought together Caravan Palace and La Dame Blanche in a cocktail of electro-swing and Cuban music. Raphaël and Fatoumata Diawara shared the bill on July 5, followed by a reggae night with Julian Marley on July 6. Christophe Maé and Liza electrified the square on July 11, before Rodrigo y Gabriela on July 12 and the duo Synapson-Cerrone to close on July 13.
2025 Edition: IAM, Chinese Man, and The Avener
The 28th edition was held from July 10 to 19, 2025, offering six major concert evenings starting at 7:30 PM. The opening was by Talents Nuits du Sud, Sandra Nkaké, and Deluxe on July 10. July 11 vibrated to the sounds of reggae with The Gladiators, The Congos, and Nèg' Marrons. IAM, a legend of Marseille rap, gave a special concert on July 12. The second part of the festival hosted Faada Freddy and Olivia Ruiz on July 17, Chinese Man on July 18, and The Avener to close on July 19.
A popular and committed festival
Les Nuits du Sud cultivates a strong identity: that of a popular, accessible, and committed festival, rooted in its Vence territory while opening up to the world. Prices remain affordable, and the artistic direction, entrusted to the Combat group (Radio Nova, Rock en Seine), favors a program that is "bold, demanding, and resolutely modern." The festival contributes to the cultural and economic dynamism of Vence and the Nice hinterland.
Nuits du Sud — edition 2026
The 29th edition of Les Nuits du Sud takes place from July 9 to 18, 2026, on the Place du Grand-Jardin in Vence, under the hundred-year-old plane trees. Six major concert evenings spread over two weekends, with an eclectic program curated by the teams of Rock en Seine and Radio Nova: zouk with Kassav' and Magic System, chanson with Véronique Sanson, reggae with Danakil, soul with Ben l'Oncle Soul, and world music from Reunion to Africa.
Les Nuits du Sud 2026: Two Weekends of Concerts in Vence
For its 29th edition, the Les Nuits du Sud festival takes over the Place du Grand-Jardin in Vence from July 9 to 18, 2026. The program revolves around six concert evenings spread over two weekends (July 9, 10, and 11, then July 16, 17, and 18), each opened by an artist from the Talents Nuits du Sud selection before the headliners. The artistic direction, entrusted for four years to the teams of Rock en Seine and Radio Nova, highlights the diversity of world music, from Caribbean rhythms to African sounds, including French chanson, electro, and maloya from the Indian Ocean.
An Eclectic Program
The first weekend mixes the Franco-Brazilian pop of Luiza, the tribute by Mariam (from the duo Amadou & Mariam), the maloya of Maya Kamaty, the legendary zouk of Kassav', and the French Touch electro of Bakermat and Breakbot & Irfane. The second weekend features a dialogue between the reggae of Soom T and Danakil, the maloya fusion of Kolinga, the timeless chanson of Véronique Sanson, and concludes with a celebration featuring the zouk of Magic System and the soul of Ben l'Oncle Soul.
The festival remains true to its identity: a popular, accessible, and friendly summer event, where the proximity between artists and audience creates a unique atmosphere in this Provençal village square. Admission is free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
Programme Nuits du Sud 2026
Thursday, July 9, 2026
- Micro Ondes — Talents Nuits du Sud (opening act)
- Luiza — Franco-Brazilian pop
- Mariam sings Amadou & Mariam — Malian music
Friday, July 10, 2026
- Maya Kamaty — maloya from Reunion
- Kassav' — Antillean zouk (legend)
Saturday, July 11, 2026
- Geiste — Talents Nuits du Sud (opening act)
- Bakermat — electro / house (Netherlands)
- Breakbot & Irfane — French Touch electro
Thursday, July 16, 2026
- Soom T — DJ Set, ragga (Scotland / India)
- Danakil — French reggae
Friday, July 17, 2026
- Kolinga — Afro fusion, by Rébecca M'Boungou
- Véronique Sanson — French chanson
Saturday, July 18, 2026
- Magic System — zouglou / zouk (Ivory Coast)
- Ben l'Oncle Soul — French soul
Highlights Nuits du Sud 2026
- 29th edition, from July 9 to 18, 2026, on the Place du Grand-Jardin in Vence
- Six evenings over two weekends, headliners: Kassav', Véronique Sanson, Magic System, Danakil, Ben l'Oncle Soul
- Artistic direction by Rock en Seine and Radio Nova
- Free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult
Prices Nuits du Sud 2026
Practical information — Nuits du Sud
Access
The festival takes place at the Place du Grand-Jardin, 06140 Vence.
- By car: From Nice (25 km), take the road to Vence via Cagnes-sur-Mer or Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Parking available in town.
- By bus: Lignes d'Azur network, line 400 from Nice (stop Vence Grand-Jardin).
Prices
- Presales: from 22 euros (limited quantity)
- Full price: from 22 to 39 euros depending on the evening
Ticketing
Online ticketing on the official website nuitsdusud.com and on Fnac Spectacles.
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Where does it take place — Nuits du Sud
Place du Grand-Jardin
Place du Grand-Jardin, 06140 Vence