Pays de Gex Music Festival
The great gathering of wind orchestras and music societies of Pays de Gex
About Pays de Gex Music
The Pays de Gex Music Festival: nearly a century of musical tradition
Since 1929, the Festival des Musiques du Pays de Gex has upheld an exceptional musical tradition in the heart of the Ain department, on the French-Swiss border. One of the oldest wind orchestra gatherings in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the festival brings together around ten music societies from Pays de Gex and neighbouring communes each year for a grand weekend of free open-air concerts.
A touring festival run by the Société Musicale de Ferney-Voltaire
The festival is organised by the Société Musicale de Ferney-Voltaire, founded in 1844 on the initiative of John Pingeon. Since its origins, this amateur musicians' association has established itself as a pillar of cultural life in Pays de Gex. Comprising over 60 musicians with an average age of around 25, the Société Musicale has been led since 2021 by Benoît Durand, a horn teacher at the conservatoire. The festival is held each year in a different Pays de Gex commune, offering a fresh setting and atmosphere with every edition.
A rich and varied programme
The festival runs over two to three days, usually on the last weekend of June. The programme showcases junior and senior wind orchestras, brass ensembles and brass bands from the participating music societies. Concerts feature an eclectic repertoire ranging from classical and symphonic works to film music, folk tunes and traditional melodies.
Among the regularly participating societies are the Orchestre d'Harmonie du Pays de Gex (OHPG), the Ensemble Harmonique de Bellegarde (EHB), l'Écho de la Valserine from Chézery, l'Écho du Crêt de la Neige from Sergy, l'Écho du Reculet from Thoiry, the Lyre Chalaisienne from Challex, the Lyre Musicale de Saint-Genis-Pouilly, La Bonne Humeur from Péron, as well as Swiss guests such as the Musique Municipale de Meyrin and the Sirène du Grand-Saconnex.
A popular cross-border event
Entirely free and open to all, the festival is a family-friendly and convivial event that attracts several hundred spectators. A local produce market and food trucks accompany the concerts, creating a festive atmosphere. The festival reflects the vitality of the music association network in Pays de Gex and illustrates the richness of cross-border cultural exchanges with neighbouring Switzerland, in the spirit of Greater Geneva.
A living musical heritage
With its 96th edition celebrated in 2025, the Festival des Musiques du Pays de Gex is a genuine living cultural heritage of the Ain department. It reflects the longevity and commitment of local music societies which, for nearly a century, have been passing on the passion for wind orchestra music from generation to generation. The festival is affiliated with the Fédération Musicale de l'Ain, founded in 1951, which brings together 86 music societies in the department.
Pays de Gex Music — edition 2026
The 97th edition of the Festival des Musiques du Pays de Gex will be held on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Saint-Jean-de-Gonville (Salle des Fêtes). This itinerant festival, organized by the Société Musicale de Ferney-Voltaire, brings together over 400 musicians: junior orchestras, wind bands, and brass ensembles from the musical societies of Pays de Gex, as well as neighboring Swiss groups. A weekend of free open-air concerts, highlighted this year by the theme "World Music".
97th Edition — June 13 and 14, 2026 in Saint-Jean-de-Gonville
The Festival des Musiques du Pays de Gex returns for its 97th edition on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026. After Ferney-Voltaire and Valserhône, the itinerant festival sets up its marquees this time in Saint-Jean-de-Gonville, at the Salle des Fêtes (162 Chemin de la Chapelle). Admission is entirely free.
This edition brings together over 400 musicians: five junior orchestras (Saint-Genis, Ferney, Bellegarde, Thoiry, Péron-Saint-Jean), nine wind bands and brass ensembles from Pays de Gex (Ferney-Voltaire, Bellegarde, Challex, Chézery, Saint-Genis-Pouilly, Sergy, Thoiry, Collonges-Fort-l'Écluse) and the Orchestre d'Harmonie du Pays de Gex (OHPG), not to mention Swiss guests such as the Fanfare de Meinier.
On Saturday evening, 55 musicians will gather in a single orchestra around the theme "World Music". On Sunday, the wind bands will parade through the districts of Péron and Saint-Jean-de-Gonville with a morning serenade, before a communal meal under the marquee and a grand concert in the afternoon, leading up to the finale performed by the OHPG.
Programme Pays de Gex Music 2026
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM — Concert of junior orchestras (Saint-Genis, Ferney, Bellegarde, Thoiry, Péron-Saint-Jean)
- 8:30 PM — Grand concert bringing together 55 musicians in a single orchestra, with La Bonne Humeur de Péron-Saint-Jean and the Fanfare de Meinier (Switzerland) — Theme: "World Music"
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Serenade by wind bands and brass ensembles in the districts of Péron and Saint-Jean-de-Gonville
- 12:30 PM — Communal meal under the marquee
- 2:00 PM — Concert of wind bands and brass ensembles
- 6:00 PM — Finale with the Orchestre d'Harmonie du Pays de Gex (OHPG)
Highlights Pays de Gex Music 2026
Key points for 2026
- 97th edition, one of the oldest wind band gatherings in France (since 1929)
- Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Saint-Jean-de-Gonville (Salle des Fêtes)
- Over 400 musicians: 5 junior orchestras, 9 wind bands and brass ensembles + the OHPG
- Saturday evening concert on the theme "World Music"
- Free admission for all concerts
Prices Pays de Gex Music 2026
Practical information — Pays de Gex Music
Practical Information
Location of the 2026 Edition
The festival is itinerant and takes place each year in a different commune in the Pays de Gex. The 2026 edition will be held on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Saint-Jean-de-Gonville, at the Salle des Fêtes (162 Chemin de la Chapelle, 01630 Saint-Jean-de-Gonville). Recent editions were held at Parc de l'Abbé Boisson in Ferney-Voltaire (2024) and in Valserhône (2025).
Access to Saint-Jean-de-Gonville (2026 Edition)
- By car: Saint-Jean-de-Gonville is located at the foot of the Jura, accessible via the D984c then the D89, approximately 25 km from Geneva and 15 km from Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.
- By bus: Lines of the Cars Région Ain network serving the Pays de Gex.
- By train: Bellegarde-sur-Valserine station (TGV) approximately 20 minutes by car.
2026 Edition Schedule
- Saturday, June 13: junior orchestras concert from 16:30 to 20:00, followed by a grand concert at 20:30
- Sunday, June 14: brass band serenade at 11:00, communal meal at 12:30, brass band concert at 14:00 and finale at 18:00
Prices
- Free admission for all concerts
Catering
- Communal meal under marquee on Sunday lunchtime
- Refreshment stand and on-site catering depending on the editions
Contact
- Société Musicale de Ferney-Voltaire
- Henri Auchlin Rehearsal Room, Conservatoire de Musique, 11 Chemin Jargilières, 01210 Ferney-Voltaire
- Website: www.musiqueferney.com
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Where does it take place — Pays de Gex Music
Parc de l'Abbé Boisson
Parc de l'Abbé Boisson, Avenue Voltaire, 01210 Ferney-Voltaire