Salaise Blues Festival
Concerts, blues workshops, exhibition and blues aperitif in Isère
About Salaise Blues Festival
The Salaise Blues Festival is one of the oldest blues festivals in France. Created in 1988 in Salaise-sur-Sanne in Isère, it celebrates blues music in all its forms every year for several weeks in March. The festival offers free concerts in bars, masterclasses, a concert for young audiences, and two major evenings at the Foyer Laurent Bouvier with international artists. Supported by the cultural commission of Salaise-sur-Sanne and Travail et Culture, it attracts a passionate audience.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Salaise Blues Festival at the best price.
Sponsored link
Nearly forty years of blues in Isère
The Salaise Blues Festival is a musical institution in the Rhône Valley. Since its creation in 1988, this festival has continuously made the town of Salaise-sur-Sanne vibrate to the rhythm of blues, boogie, soul, and rock. Born from the will of enthusiasts led by Jacques Garcia, René Riou, and Bertrand Cabaud, president of Travail et Culture (TEC), the event has its roots in "Le mois du blues" (The Month of Blues), a series of concerts organized from 1984 onwards on four consecutive Fridays in March. Since then, the festival has grown to become one of the most respected blues events in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
An original and friendly format
The format of the Salaise Blues Festival is unique. Far from being confined to two evenings of concerts, the festival unfolds over several weeks with a rich and varied program that permeates the entire territory. The festival kicks off with Blues'n'Bar, free concerts organized in the bars and cafés of the region — from Valence to Pélussin, including Beaurepaire and Saint-Alban-du-Rhône — allowing the blues to leave the concert halls and meet the public.
The program also includes masterclasses and music workshops in partnership with the conservatory, offering amateur musicians the opportunity to improve their skills with professional artists. A free concert for young audiences, offered on Wednesday afternoons at the Foyer Laurent Bouvier, introduces younger generations to the world of blues in a fun and interactive way. Exhibitions and musical conferences at the Elsa-Triolet media library complete this cultural panorama.
Two exceptional major evenings
The highlight of the festival lies in the two evenings of concerts that conclude the event at the Foyer Communal Laurent Bouvier. This emblematic venue in Salaise-sur-Sanne, with a capacity of around 435 seats, transforms into a blues temple for two intense nights. The invited artists — whether they are international blues figures or emerging talents from the French scene — offer memorable performances in an intimate and warm atmosphere.
Over the years, the Salaise Blues Festival has hosted exceptional artists, blending blues legends, soul, rock, and gospel artists. The festival has built a reputation for discovering talent, offering new finds alongside established names each year. The programming reflects the richness and diversity of contemporary blues, from traditional delta blues to the most daring fusions with rock, soul, and world music.
A festival rooted in its territory
Supported by the cultural commission of the Salaise-sur-Sanne town hall and programmed by the association Travail et Culture (TEC), the Salaise Blues Festival is an event deeply rooted in local life. It unites volunteers, local businesses, and residents around a common passion for the blues and contributes to the cultural influence of this Isère territory located between Lyon and Valence, in the heart of the Rhône Valley.
Salaise Blues Festival — edition 2026
38th edition of the Salaise Blues Festival. Two weeks of blues in Isère from March 13th to 28th with Blues'n'Bar, masterclasses, a concert for young audiences, and two major evenings at the Foyer Laurent Bouvier on March 27th and 28th.
38th edition: blues celebrates forty years in Salaise
The Salaise Blues Festival returns for its 38th edition from March 13th to 28th, 2026. As the festival approaches its fortieth anniversary, this new edition promises a program worthy of the history of this iconic Isère event. Two weeks of blues will permeate the region with free concerts, workshops, and two exceptional evenings at the Foyer Communal Laurent Bouvier.
Friday, March 27th, 2026 — 8:30 PM
The first evening will honor two artists with remarkable careers. Mama Jake, a French group, will open the festivities with their energetic and generous blues. The evening will continue with Linda Lee Hopkins (USA), an American singer and performer who will present her new album "Spirit & Soul," blending blues, soul, and gospel in a vibrant and authentic show.
Saturday, March 28th, 2026 — 8:30 PM
The second evening will feature Charles Pasi, a French harmonica player and singer known for his modern blues tinged with soul and funk, followed by Nina Attal — Electric Ladyland, an explosive French guitarist and singer paying tribute to Jimi Hendrix's legacy through an electrifying blues-rock repertoire.
Complementary events
On Wednesday, March 25th, at 2:30 PM, a free concert for young audiences titled "Violette mène l'enquête" (Violette Investigates) by Mama Jake will be offered at the Foyer Laurent Bouvier. Free Blues'n'Bar concerts, music masterclasses, and meetings at the media library will complete the program throughout the festival.
Programme Salaise Blues Festival 2026
2026 Program
- March 13 - 28: Blues'n'Bar — Free concerts in bars and cafés in the region.
- Week of March 16 - 20: Blues music masterclasses and workshops.
- Wednesday, March 25th, 2:30 PM: Free concert for young audiences "Violette mène l'enquête" by Mama Jake — Foyer Laurent Bouvier.
- Friday, March 27th, 8:30 PM: Mama Jake (FR) + Linda Lee Hopkins (USA) — Foyer Laurent Bouvier.
- Saturday, March 28th, 8:30 PM: Charles Pasi (FR) + Nina Attal — Electric Ladyland (FR) — Foyer Laurent Bouvier.
Highlights Salaise Blues Festival 2026
- 38th edition of the festival, nearing 40 years of blues in Salaise
- Linda Lee Hopkins (USA) presents her album "Spirit & Soul"
- Charles Pasi, French blues-soul harmonica player and singer
- Nina Attal — Electric Ladyland, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix
- Free young audience concert "Violette mène l'enquête"
- Free Blues'n'Bar concerts and masterclasses
Prices Salaise Blues Festival 2026
Practical information — Salaise Blues Festival
Practical Information
Location
The two major concert evenings take place at the Foyer Communal Laurent Bouvier, located at rue du 11 Novembre 1918, 38150 Salaise-sur-Sanne. This municipal venue has a capacity of approximately 435 seats. The Blues'n'Bar concerts are held in various bars and cafés in the region (Valence, Pélussin, Beaurepaire, Saint-Alban-du-Rhône).
Access
- By car: Salaise-sur-Sanne is located at exit 11 of the A7 motorway (Lyon-Marseille), about 50 km south of Lyon and 60 km north of Valence. Follow signs for Salaise-sur-Sanne centre, then for « Foyer Laurent Bouvier ».
- By train: The nearest station is Saint-Rambert-d'Albon (about 5 km away) or Roussillon (Isère), served by TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on the Lyon-Valence line.
- By bus: The Isère transport network (TransIsère) serves Salaise-sur-Sanne from the surrounding stations.
Parking
Free parking spaces are available near the Foyer Laurent Bouvier and in the town center of Salaise-sur-Sanne. It is recommended to arrive early on concert nights to easily find a spot.
Ticketing and prices
The concert evenings at the Foyer Laurent Bouvier are ticketed. Tickets are available online on the Travail et Culture ticketing site (billetterie-travailetculture.mapado.com) as well as on Cultura. Prices vary depending on the evening, with tickets starting from around 20 euros. Many festival events (Blues'n'Bar, young audience concert, exhibitions, conferences) are free.
Food and drink
A bar and a catering area are usually available on-site during the concert evenings at the Foyer Laurent Bouvier. Partner bars for Blues'n'Bar also offer food during the free concerts.
Accommodation
Several accommodation options are available in Salaise-sur-Sanne and neighboring towns (Roussillon, Saint-Maurice-l'Exil, Le Péage-de-Roussillon). Hotels, B&Bs, and gîtes can be found within a 10 km radius. Consult the Entre Bièvre et Rhône Tourist Office for a complete list of accommodations.
Contact
- Mairie de Salaise-sur-Sanne: 19 rue Pierre Avit Nicolas, 38150 Salaise-sur-Sanne — Tel: 04 74 29 00 80 — [email protected]
- Travail et Culture (programming): 42 rue Jules Guesde, 38550 Saint-Maurice-l'Exil — Tel: 04 74 29 45 26 — [email protected]
- Official website: salaisebluesfestival.fr
Accessibility
The Foyer Laurent Bouvier is accessible to people with reduced mobility. For any specific requests, please contact the Salaise-sur-Sanne town hall.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Salaise Blues Festival at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Salaise Blues Festival
Foyer Communal Laurent Bouvier
Rue du 11 Novembre 1918, 38150 Salaise-sur-Sanne