Free festival of mixed music by the Loire
Created in 2005, the Les Traver'Cé Musicales festival is a free, family-friendly, and eco-responsible event that celebrates mixed music by the Loire in Les Ponts-de-Cé, near Angers. Every summer in July, the castle moats and the banks of the Loire host musical groups from around the world for a weekend of festive concerts and discoveries. Supported by the Town of Les Ponts-de-Cé, the festival promotes encounters between musicians of multiple nationalities and different musical inspirations, in an exceptional heritage setting.
Since 2005, the Les Traver'Cé Musicales festival has set the banks of the Loire and the moats of the Château des Ponts-de-Cé vibrating to the rhythm of mixed music. This free, family-friendly event was born from the desire to create a meeting space for musicians of multiple nationalities and musical inspirations, in a unique heritage setting near Angers.
The festival unfolds in a remarkable natural and historical setting: the moats of the castle of Les Ponts-de-Cé and the banks of the Loire offer a sumptuous backdrop for open-air concerts. The stage, repositioned near the football field for the 2026 edition, highlights the castle and the bridge's arcades, creating a unique visual atmosphere that accompanies the music.
The programming of Les Traver'Cé Musicales showcases world music in all its diversity: afrobeat, cumbia, reggae, soul, funk, ethio-jazz, calypso, gypsy music, and many other sounds blend on stage. The festival features both internationally renowned artists and emerging groups, with a particular focus on collective projects and musical fusions. Wandering fanfares add a festive and participatory dimension.
Labeled as an eco-engaged event, Les Traver'Cé Musicales implements an ambitious environmental approach: dry toilets, waste sorting, short-circuit catering, elimination of plastic, and a free shuttle from Angers. The festival also offers a "bal bambins" (children's ball) to open the event, designed for families and young children, celebrating the end of the school year in a musical and friendly atmosphere.
The 21st edition of Les Traver'Cé Musicales will take place on July 3 and 4, 2026, with a format change: the festival moves from the traditional Saturday-Sunday to Friday-Saturday. The lineup is expanded to four groups per day plus a daily fanfare. Among the announced artists: Electro Deluxe, Les Amazones d'Afrique, Cumbia Boom Box, DJ Wonderbraz, and the "Bal bambins" by Toma Sidibé.
The festival returns on July 3 and 4, 2026, with a renewed format. The stage will be repositioned near the football field to highlight the castle and the bridge's arcades. The lineup is expanded to four groups per day plus a daily fanfare.
Friday, July 3: "Bal bambins" by Toma Sidibé (Malian mixed music/reggae) to open, followed by Electro Deluxe (soul and funk, 25th anniversary) and the fanfare Big Joanna (Caribbean/ethio-jazz).
Saturday, July 4: Les Amazones d'Afrique (international collective of female voices), Cumbia Boom Box (electric cumbia), DJ Wonderbraz (exotic electro sets), and a wandering fanfare.
Castle Moats, 4 rue Charles-de-Gaulle, 49130 Les Ponts-de-Cé. By the Loire.
By car: Les Ponts-de-Cé is located 7 km south of Angers, accessible via the D160. Free parking.
By public transport: Free shuttle from Angers during the festival. Irigo tram line.
Free admission.
Short-circuit catering on site.
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Share your experience with the community
Book your train or bus to reach Les Traver'Cé Musicales at the best price.
Sponsored link
Douves du Château des Ponts-de-Cé
4 rue Charles-de-Gaulle, 49130 Les Ponts-de-Cé