Les Terrasses du Bel-Air

Les Terrasses du Bel-Air: A Citizen Festival Open to the World

Born in 2018 on the initiative of a handful of enthusiasts, the association Les Terrasses du Bel-Air has transformed a little-known corner of Avallon into a true open-air music stage. Over the seasons, this unique festival in the Avallonnais region has established itself as one of the most endearing cultural events in the south of the Yonne department, built on its values of accessibility, diversity, and proximity to artists.

The concert venue, nestled at the foot of Avallon's medieval ramparts, harmoniously blends culture, nature, and heritage. With its approximately 400 seats, a hundred round tables, and a friendly bar run by enthusiastic volunteers, the place offers a unique atmosphere: that of a popular yet sophisticated celebration, where people come with family, friends, or alone, without reservation or ticket purchase.

The Festival's Philosophy: Interculturality and Encounter

From its inception, the artistic project of Les Terrasses du Bel-Air has been guided by a clear principle: to showcase all musical styles while promoting interculturality. Far from cliques and labels, the programming embraces a deliberately eclectic spectrum, which has seen manouche jazz and Georgian polyphony, Argentine tango and French chanson, electric blues and Cuban music, Celtic folk and rhythms from Burkina Faso succeed each other on the same stage.

Patricio Bonfiglio, appointed artistic director, embodies this vision of borderless music. Under his leadership, the festival has integrated masterclasses open to amateur musicians and dance workshops for the general public, transforming each musical weekend into a true participatory experience.

A Season Spanning March to October

Since its ninth season in 2026, Les Terrasses du Bel-Air have extended their calendar to run from March to October, including a winter format called Cabaret du Bel-Air, hosted in the warm and intimate setting of Avallon's Grenier à Sel. These spring and autumn evenings allow the town's musical life to extend beyond the peak summer season and offer valuable visibility to local and regional artists.

Summer remains, however, the beating heart of the festival: from May to September, evenings follow one another on the open-air terraces, bringing together several hundred spectators each time in a warm and family-friendly atmosphere. The "Soirée Zicaunaise," a highlight of the season, showcases local bands from the Yonne region and reflects the festival's commitment to the Burgundian music scene.

National Renown Artists Alongside Local Musicians

Over the years, Les Terrasses du Bel-Air have attracted leading artists while maintaining a significant place for regional ensembles. Among the names that have marked the festival's history are bassist Étienne Mbappé with his NEC+ trio, guitarist Philip Catherine, double bassist and composer Francis Lockwood, and singer-poet Sanseverino. In terms of world music, the groups Salamanqueros Nómades (Argentine folklore), Trio Teriya (Mandingue), Yemaya (Cuban salsa), and Los Arcanos del Desierto (cumbia, guaracha) have made audiences dance with this ambitious and generous programming.

Review of a Collective Adventure

In eight seasons, Les Terrasses du Bel-Air have hosted over 120 musical events, featured over 130 groups (68% from the local and regional scene), brought together over 700 musicians (29% of whom are emerging artists), and attracted nearly 20,000 spectators over the entire period. These figures attest to a solid popular base and real associative vitality, fueled by a team of dedicated volunteers throughout the year.

In Avallon and the surrounding region, Les Terrasses du Bel-Air have become more than just a festival: they are a symbol of living, inclusive, and shared culture, capable of making the music of the entire world resonate in the heart of rural Burgundy.