Short-run song festival in the Ondaine valley
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 35th edition of the Les Oreilles en Pointe festival takes place from November 5 to 15, 2026, in the Ondaine valley and the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area. The oldest song festival in the region, this autumnal event, faithful to its motto «short-circuit song,» brings together this year Gauvain Sers, Keren Ann, Michèle Bernard, Frédéric Bobin, Grise Cornac, Ben Herbert Larue, and the Shubiao Quartet, in a series of concerts in Firminy, Monistrol-sur-Loire, and Fraisses, opened as every year by the Le Tour des Oreilles springboard evening.
The Les Oreilles en Pointe festival returns for its 35th edition from November 5 to 15, 2026. This autumnal event, the oldest song festival in the Saint-Étienne region, presents a new selection of artists to discover and headliners in the venues of the Ondaine valley and the metropolitan area.
True to its philosophy of short-circuit song, the festival highlights artists with original repertoires, emerging talents, and insufficiently recognized creators, alongside established names in the French song scene such as Gauvain Sers and Keren Ann.
Le Tour des Oreilles, a springboard for regional artists from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, opens the edition on November 5 at Le Firmament in Firminy. Music practice workshops, meetings with artists, and outreach activities complete the program.
Evening concerts at 8:30 PM, Sunday matinees at 5:00 PM. Doors open 30 minutes before the start of concerts.
Online sales on the Billetweb platform via the festival website. Prices vary depending on the concert. No reservations possible during the festival.
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.
Local and organic catering offered on-site. Compostable and washable tableware in a zero-waste approach.
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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La Forge et lieux partenaires (vallée de l'Ondaine)
44 rue de la Tour de Varan, 42700 Firminy