Les Oreilles en Pointe
Short-run song festival in the Ondaine valley
About Oreilles en Pointe
Created in 1991, Les Oreilles en Pointe is the oldest song festival in the Saint-Étienne region. Rooted in the Ondaine valley, this independent festival offers about ten days of concerts in November each year, dedicated to discovering emerging talents and original repertoires. True to its motto "short-run song," the festival highlights little-known or under-recognized artists, not just French-speaking ones, in a spirit of respect for cultures, originality of creations, and promotion of local artists. Concerts take place in several venues between Saint-Étienne, Firminy, Le Chambon-Feugerolles, Fraisses, and Monistrol-sur-Loire, offering an eclectic program mixing French song, folk, indie, and world music.
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Les Oreilles en Pointe: Short-run song since 1991
Founded in 1991, the Les Oreilles en Pointe festival is the oldest event dedicated to song in the Loire department and the Saint-Étienne region. Supported by the association of the same name, this independent festival has established itself over more than thirty editions as a must-attend event for lovers of song and musical discoveries in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
A Discovery Festival Rooted in the Ondaine Valley
Les Oreilles en Pointe distinguishes itself by its role as a talent scout. The festival favors artists with original repertoires, little-known or under-recognized creators, whether they are French-speaking or not. The programming highlights French song, folk, indie, and emerging music, in a spirit of openness and curiosity. Each edition offers a discerning selection of artists to discover, with a constant focus on presenting quality performances in a friendly atmosphere.
A Traveling Festival in the Saint-Étienne Metropolis
Concerts take place in several venues spread across Saint-Étienne, Firminy, Le Chambon-Feugerolles, Fraisses, and Monistrol-sur-Loire. Among the festival's iconic venues: La Forge (a 750-seat concert hall in Le Chambon-Feugerolles), the Espace culturel Albert Camus, the Maison de la culture de Firminy, Le Firmament in Firminy, Le Pax in Saint-Étienne, and the Salle Dorian in Fraisses. This traveling nature across different towns allows the festival to build a strong connection with audiences in the Ondaine valley and beyond.
Le Tour des Oreilles: A Launchpad for Regional Artists
Each edition begins with Le Tour des Oreilles, a special evening dedicated to emerging artists from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This competition provides musicians with the opportunity to present their original compositions, in regional languages or French, during 30-minute performances. It is one of the festival's highlights, fully embodying its commitment to discovering and promoting local talent.
An Ecological and Solidarity Commitment
Les Oreilles en Pointe is committed to an eco-responsible approach with a zero-waste objective. The festival favors local and organic catering, the use of compostable and washable tableware, and encourages carpooling among festival-goers. Off-site events are also organized, with concerts in hospitals and care facilities, as well as music practice workshops for young people.
Oreilles en Pointe — edition 2026
The 35th edition of the Les Oreilles en Pointe festival will take place from November 5 to 15, 2026, in the Ondaine valley and the Saint-Étienne metropolis. The festival will continue its mission of discovering emerging talents and promoting original repertoires, with a program mixing French song, folk, indie, and world music.
35th Edition — November 5 to 15, 2026
The Les Oreilles en Pointe festival returns for its 35th edition from November 5 to 15, 2026. This autumn event, the oldest song festival in the Saint-Étienne region, will offer a new selection of artists to discover in the venues of the Ondaine valley and the metropolis.
True to its philosophy of "short-run song", the festival will continue to highlight artists with original repertoires, emerging talents, and under-recognized creators. The lineup, which will be unveiled in the fall of 2026, promises to be eclectic once again, blending French song, folk, indie, and world music.
Le Tour des Oreilles, a showcase for regional artists from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, will open the festival as every year. Music practice workshops, artist meet-and-greets, and off-site events will complement the program.
The festival is looking for artists from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region who offer original compositions in regional languages to participate in Le Tour des Oreilles. Applications should be submitted via the official festival website.
Programme Oreilles en Pointe 2026
2026 Program
The official program for the 35th edition will be unveiled in the fall of 2026 on the festival website. The program will include, as every year:
- Le Tour des Oreilles: showcase evening for emerging artists from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
- Evening concerts (8:30 PM): at La Forge (Le Chambon-Feugerolles), Maison de la culture and Le Firmament (Firminy), Le Pax (Saint-Étienne)
- Sunday matinees (5:00 PM): at MJC Monistrol-sur-Loire and Salle Dorian in Fraisses
- Youth workshops and off-site events
Performance Venues
- La Forge — 92 Rue de la République, 42500 Le Chambon-Feugerolles
- Espace culturel Albert Camus — Le Chambon-Feugerolles
- Le Firmament — Rue Dorian, 42700 Firminy
- Maison de la culture — Rue Saint-Just Malmont, 42700 Firminy
- Le Pax — 27 Rue Elisée Reclus, 42000 Saint-Étienne
- Salle Dorian — Allée Isidoro Calandra, 42490 Fraisses
- MJC de Monistrol-sur-Loire — 25 Rue du Stade, 43120 Monistrol-sur-Loire
Highlights Oreilles en Pointe 2026
- 35th edition of the oldest song festival in the Saint-Étienne region
- From November 5 to 15, 2026, in the Ondaine valley
- Upcoming program: French song, folk, indie, and world music
- Le Tour des Oreilles: regional showcase for emerging artists
- Call for applications for regional artists offering original compositions
- Ticketing on the official festival website
Prices Oreilles en Pointe 2026
Practical information — Oreilles en Pointe
Practical Information
Concert Venues
- La Forge — 92 Rue de la République, 42500 Le Chambon-Feugerolles
- Espace culturel Albert Camus — Le Chambon-Feugerolles
- Le Firmament — Rue Dorian, 42700 Firminy
- Maison de la culture — Rue Saint-Just Malmont, 42700 Firminy
- Le Pax — 27 Rue Elisée Reclus, 42000 Saint-Étienne
- Salle Dorian — Allée Isidoro Calandra, 42490 Fraisses
- MJC de Monistrol-sur-Loire — 25 Rue du Stade, 43120 Monistrol-sur-Loire
Timetable
Evening concerts at 8:30 PM, Sunday matinees at 5:00 PM. Doors open 30 minutes before the start of concerts.
Ticketing
Online sales on the Billetweb platform via the festival website. Prices vary depending on the concert. No reservations possible during the festival.
Access
By car: Le Chambon-Feugerolles is located 15 km southwest of Saint-Étienne, accessible via the D1082. Firminy is 5 km from Le Chambon-Feugerolles.
By public transport: The STAS network serves Le Chambon-Feugerolles and Firminy from Saint-Étienne.
Carpooling: The festival encourages carpooling via BlaBlaCar.
Catering
Local and organic catering offered on-site. Compostable and washable tableware in a zero-waste approach.
Contact
Association Les Oreilles en Pointe
44 rue de la Tour de Varan, 42700 Firminy
Phone: 07 64 79 95 03
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oreillesenpointe.com
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Oreilles en Pointe at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Oreilles en Pointe
La Forge et lieux partenaires (vallée de l'Ondaine)
44 rue de la Tour de Varan, 42700 Firminy