Les Suds, a Arles

World music in the heart of the ancient city

Founded in 1996, the Les Suds, a Arles festival has become over three decades the unmissable event for world music in the south of France. Every summer, in July, the festival transforms the historic center of Arles into a huge celebration space where music from Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Maghreb, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean meet.

Exceptional heritage sites

One of the strengths of Les Suds lies in its choice of concert venues. The Ancient Theatre of Arles, a Roman amphitheater from the 1st century, hosts the major open-air evenings. The Cloister of Saint-Trophime, the Romanesque churches, and the squares of the city center offer intimate settings for the "Moments Précieux", "Salons de Musique", and "Siestes Musicales". This dissemination within Arles' heritage creates a unique experience where architecture and music dialogue.

Concerts, workshops, and masterclasses

The Les Suds program is not limited to evening concerts. Every day, the festival offers around forty workshops and masterclasses in dance, singing, instruments, and lifestyle, open to both beginners and professionals. The "Aperos-découvertes", film screenings, and meetings with artists punctuate days rich in discovery, from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m.

A complementary winter festival

Since 2018, "Les Suds, en Hiver" has offered a winter edition in February, with concerts, films, and workshops, extending the festival's spirit throughout the year and anchoring world music in Arles' cultural life.