Mélodies sur Arzon
Classical and contemporary music festival in Craponne-sur-Arzon
About Mélodies sur Arzon
Created in 2005 by the Association Artistique et Culturelle de Craponne (AACC), a handful of music enthusiasts, the Mélodies sur Arzon festival has become a must-attend event for classical and contemporary music in Haute-Loire. Every year in mid-July, for a full week, the small town of Craponne-sur-Arzon vibrates to the sound of classical melodies, offering a rich and eclectic program ranging from baroque to contemporary music, including romanticism and chamber music. Evening concerts are held in the magnificent Chapelle des Pénitents, while open-air concerts animate the streets and squares of the village, notably at the Hôtel Calemard de Montjoly. The festival also offers violin, cello, and piano masterclasses, choral singing workshops, musical initiation workshops for children, and activities in retirement homes, introducing the world of classical music through concerts and educational activities for all ages. Mélodies sur Arzon attracts internationally renowned artists and a loyal audience each summer, from enlightened amateurs to curious neophytes, in a remarkable heritage setting in the heart of Livradois-Forez.
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Mélodies sur Arzon: Classical Music in the Heart of Livradois-Forez
Since 2005, every summer in mid-July, the town of Craponne-sur-Arzon transforms into a true musical haven thanks to the Mélodies sur Arzon festival. Founded by the Association Artistique et Culturelle de Craponne (AACC), this classical and contemporary music festival celebrates the richness and diversity of the musical repertoire through a full week of concerts, masterclasses, and educational activities.
Iconic Venues as a Setting
Evening concerts take place in the Chapelle des Pénitents, on Avenue de la Prairie, a heritage building offering remarkable acoustics and an intimate atmosphere conducive to listening to chamber music and recitals. During the day, free open-air concerts fill the village streets and squares, notably at the Hôtel Calemard de Montjoly, allowing the public to discover the masterclass recitals in a friendly and accessible setting for everyone.
An Eclectic and Demanding Program
The festival offers a varied musical palette, from baroque to contemporary, including classical, romantic, and chamber music. Each edition brings together internationally renowned artists—pianists, violinists, cellists, chamber music ensembles, and choirs—for intimate concerts at the Chapelle des Pénitents and open-air performances in the village. The program is enriched by themed evenings, concert-theatre events, and film screenings with musical accompaniment.
An Educational and Intergenerational Festival
True to its educational mission, Mélodies sur Arzon places great importance on musical transmission. The festival organizes chamber music masterclasses open to musicians at the end of their second cycle, higher levels, pre-professionals, and amateurs of all ages. Week-long choral singing workshops are offered, with piano accompaniment. Musical initiation workshops for children allow the youngest to discover classical music in a fun way. The festival also holds sessions in the region's retirement homes, with choral singing sessions accompanied by piano, thus affirming its social and intergenerational roots.
Strong Territorial Roots
Located in the heart of Livradois-Forez, in Haute-Loire, the Mélodies sur Arzon festival asserts its artistic and territorial roots by promoting classical music in a rural area. Through its free open-air concerts, educational activities, and collaborations with local cultural stakeholders, the festival contributes to the cultural and tourist appeal of Craponne-sur-Arzon and its region.
Mélodies sur Arzon — edition 2026
The 21st edition of Mélodies sur Arzon will take place from July 13 to 19, 2026, in Craponne-sur-Arzon. After a particularly festive 20th anniversary edition, the festival continues its journey and asserts its artistic and territorial roots more than ever. The program includes: chamber music masterclasses with an improvisation workshop, a choral singing workshop, three evening concerts at the Chapelle des Pénitents with the Jeune Ensemble de Lausanne, pianist Abdel Rahman El Bacha, and the Trio Flaubert with improvising pianist Lucas Buclin, five concerts in the village, a "Music of the Future" workshop, intergenerational activities, and a children's day on July 15.
21st Edition - July 13 to 19, 2026
After a particularly festive 20th anniversary edition, the Mélodies sur Arzon festival continues its journey and asserts its artistic and territorial roots more than ever. The 21st edition offers an enriched program centered around chamber music, choral singing, and new musical experiences.
Evening Concerts at the Chapelle des Pénitents
Three major concerts are scheduled at the Chapelle des Pénitents:
- Concert-theatre with the Jeune Ensemble de Lausanne on Thursday, July 16
- Piano recital by Abdel Rahman El Bacha, an internationally renowned pianist, on Friday, July 17
- Cinema evening on the theme "The Roaring Twenties" with improvising pianist Lucas Buclin and the Trio Flaubert
Masterclasses and Workshops
The chamber music masterclasses are aimed at musicians at the end of their second cycle, higher levels, pre-professionals, and amateurs of all ages. An improvisation workshop enriches the educational program. The week-long choral singing workshop completes the training offerings.
New for 2026
The 2026 edition introduces a "Music of the Future" workshop and a children's day on Wednesday, July 15, combining sound, image, and artificial intelligence. Intergenerational activities in retirement homes and the five concerts in the village complete the program, with a screening of Handel's opera Ariodante at the Usson-en-Forez cinema.
Programme Mélodies sur Arzon 2026
Program for the 21st Edition
Monday, July 13 to Saturday, July 18
- Chamber music masterclasses with improvisation workshop
- Week-long choral singing workshop
- Open-air concerts in the village: Tuesday and Friday at 6 PM, Saturday at 12 PM
Wednesday, July 15
- Children's day: workshops combining sound, image, and artificial intelligence
Thursday, July 16 - 8:30 PM - Chapelle des Pénitents
- Concert-theatre with the Jeune Ensemble de Lausanne
Friday, July 17 - 8:30 PM - Chapelle des Pénitents
- Piano recital by Abdel Rahman El Bacha
Saturday, July 18 - 8:30 PM - Chapelle des Pénitents
- "The Roaring Twenties" cinema evening with Lucas Buclin (piano, improvisation) and the Trio Flaubert
Sunday, July 19
- Masterclass recital concerts (free)
Screening in Usson-en-Forez
- Handel's opera Ariodante at the Usson-en-Forez cinema
Highlights Mélodies sur Arzon 2026
Highlights for 2026
- Dates: Monday, July 13 to Sunday, July 19, 2026
- Jeune Ensemble de Lausanne in concert-theatre
- Abdel Rahman El Bacha, piano recital
- Trio Flaubert and Lucas Buclin, "The Roaring Twenties" cinema evening
- "Music of the Future" workshop: new experience combining sound, image, and AI
- Children's day on Wednesday, July 15
- Five free open-air concerts in the village
- Screening of Handel's opera Ariodante in Usson-en-Forez
Prices Mélodies sur Arzon 2026
Practical information — Mélodies sur Arzon
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Craponne-sur-Arzon is located about 1 hour from Le Puy-en-Velay via the D906, 1 hour from Clermont-Ferrand via the A75 then the D906, and 1.5 hours from Saint-Étienne via the RN88 then the D498. The town is located at the crossroads of Livradois-Forez, between Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme.
Parking: Free parking spaces are available in the town center and near the concert venues.
Concert Venues
- Chapelle des Pénitents, Avenue de la Prairie, 43500 Craponne-sur-Arzon: evening concerts at 8:30 PM
- Hôtel Calemard de Montjoly and village squares: open-air concerts at 6 PM (Tuesday, Friday) and 12 PM (Saturday)
- Collège Notre-Dame: masterclasses and chamber music workshops
Ticketing
Evening concerts at the Chapelle des Pénitents are ticketed. Full price: approximately €30. Reduced price (under 12s): approximately €15. A 3-concert pass is available at a preferential rate (approximately €70). Bookings online at HelloAsso or at the Craponne-sur-Arzon Tourist Office at 04 71 03 23 14.
Open-air concerts in the village and masterclass recitals are free and open to all.
Accommodation
Craponne-sur-Arzon and its surroundings offer bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and campsites. It is recommended to book in advance during the festival period. The Tourist Office can assist you in your accommodation search.
Contact
Association Artistique et Culturelle de Craponne
Le Bois de Noël
43500 Craponne-sur-Arzon
Tel: 06 81 91 37 54 / 04 71 03 22 23
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.melodies-sur-arzon.fr
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Mélodies sur Arzon at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Mélodies sur Arzon
Chapelle des Pénitents
Avenue de la Prairie, 43500 Craponne-sur-Arzon