Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier - Guitar Festival of Chanteuges
International guitar festival at the Abbey of Chanteuges
About Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier
The Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier festival is a must-attend event for guitarists in Auvergne, founded in 1997 in the exceptional setting of the Abbey of Chanteuges, in the heart of Haut-Allier in Haute-Loire. For five days in mid-July, internationally renowned guitarists and young talents take over the priory church, the chapel, and the abbey's esplanade to offer concerts of classical, jazz, flamenco, and world music guitar. Created by guitarist and educator Dominique Poitte, originally from the region and a guitar teacher near Chambéry, the festival is supported by the association Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier and a team of passionate volunteers. Each edition combines major recitals in the remarkable acoustics of the Romanesque church, intimate concerts in the chapel, aperitif-concerts in the open air on the esplanade, masterclasses, and discovery days open to all audiences, making the centuries-old vaults of this jewel of Auvergne Romanesque heritage resonate with the sound of the guitar.
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International guitar in a Romanesque setting
Nestled in the Haut-Allier valley, the village of Chanteuges is home to an 11th-century Benedictine priory whose Romanesque church boasts exceptional acoustics. It is in this remarkable heritage setting that the Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier festival was born in 1997, under the impetus of guitarist Dominique Poitte, a guitar teacher from the region. His ambition: to make the ancient vaults of the Abbey of Chanteuges resonate with the sound of guitar in all its forms—classical, jazz, flamenco, folk, and world music.
Three venues, three atmospheres
The festival unfolds across three complementary spaces within the abbey site. The priory church, a jewel of Auvergne Romanesque art, hosts the major evening concerts with exceptional acoustics. The chapel, more intimate, is the ideal setting for recitals by young talents and musical discoveries. The abbey esplanade, open to the Allier valley landscape, offers an enchanting backdrop for the open-air aperitif-concerts that punctuate the late summer afternoons.
An eclectic and demanding program
The festival offers a program that combines artistic excellence and musical diversity. Internationally renowned classical guitarists rub shoulders with jazz musicians, flamenco virtuosos, and musicians from around the world. Each edition also reserves a prime spot for young talents, featured in the chapel, and for masterclasses led by leading musicians. Discovery days, open in particular to leisure centers and elderly care facilities in the Langeadois region, demonstrate the festival's commitment to making music accessible to all audiences.
A concert decentralized at the Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette
For several editions, the festival has opened with a decentralized concert at the Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette, the historic home of the Marquis de La Fayette located a few kilometers from Chanteuges. This off-site opening concert helps to forge links with the historical heritage of Haute-Loire and broaden the festival's reach beyond the village of Chanteuges.
A festival rooted in its territory
Supported by the association Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier and a team of dedicated volunteers, the festival benefits from the support of the municipality of Chanteuges, the Department of Haute-Loire, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. Over the years, it has become a major cultural player in Haut-Allier, contributing to the tourist appeal of this rural area and the enhancement of its exceptional Romanesque heritage. Each summer, the festival attracts a loyal audience of music lovers, amateur guitarists, and vacationers seduced by the unique combination of high-level music and an exceptional heritage setting.
Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier — edition 2026
9th edition of the Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier festival. Five days of classical, jazz, flamenco, and world music guitar concerts at the Abbey of Chanteuges. Concerts in the priory church, the chapel, and on the abbey's esplanade, with a decentralized opening concert at the Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette.
9th edition: July 14 to 18, 2026
The Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier festival returns for its 9th edition from July 14 to 18, 2026 at the Abbey of Chanteuges. True to its musical identity, the festival will offer five days of concerts, masterclasses, and encounters centered around the guitar in all its diversity: classical, jazz, flamenco, folk, and world music.
As every year, the festival will open with a decentralized concert at the Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette before taking over the three emblematic spaces of the abbey: the priory church for the main evening concerts, the chapel for young talent recitals, and the esplanade for open-air aperitif-concerts. A discovery day open to all audiences is also planned.
The full program for this 9th edition, including the list of invited artists, detailed schedules, and ticketing information, will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the festival's official website.
Highlights Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier 2026
- 9th edition of the international guitar festival
- 5 days of concerts at the Abbey of Chanteuges
- Classical, jazz, flamenco, folk, and world music guitar
- Concerts in the priory church, the chapel, and on the esplanade
- Opening concert at the Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette
- Masterclasses with internationally renowned artists
- Discovery day open to all audiences
- Young talent concerts in the chapel
- Open-air aperitif-concerts on the abbey esplanade
- Full program to be revealed in spring 2026
Prices Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier 2026
Practical information — Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier
Practical Information
Access
Chanteuges is located in the department of Haute-Loire (43), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the Haut-Allier valley, between Langeac and Brioude.
- By car: From Le Puy-en-Velay, take the N102 towards Brioude then the D585 towards Langeac and Chanteuges (approx. 50 minutes). From Clermont-Ferrand, follow the A75 exit Lempdes-sur-Allagnon, then the D585 towards Langeac and Chanteuges (approx. 1h30). Free parking near the abbey.
- By train: Langeac SNCF station on the Le Puy-en-Velay / Clermont-Ferrand line (5 km from Chanteuges). Taxi or carpooling connections available.
Concert Venues
- Priory Church of the Abbey of Chanteuges: main evening concerts (8:30 PM).
- Abbey Chapel: young talent concerts (5:00 PM).
- Abbey Esplanade: open-air aperitif-concerts (6:30 PM).
- Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette: decentralized opening concert.
Prices
- Concerts in the church: 15 to 18 euros (reduced rate for 10-15 year olds).
- Concerts in the chapel: 8 to 10 euros.
- Opening concert at Chavaniac-Lafayette: 12 euros.
- Closing concert: 25 to 30 euros.
- Festival Pass: 85 to 100 euros (access to all concerts).
- Free for children under 10 years old.
Ticketing
Tickets are available online on HelloAsso and on-site before each concert, subject to availability.
Accommodation
Several accommodation options are available nearby: gîtes, bed and breakfasts, and campsites in Haut-Allier. Consult the Tourist Office of the Gorges de l'Allier for the full list.
Contact
- Phone: 06 66 69 36 48
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.chanteugesfestival.com
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier
Abbaye de Chanteuges
La Vialle, Abbaye de Chanteuges, 43300 Chanteuges