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
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
10th anniversary of the Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier festival, from July 15 to 18, 2026 at Chanteuges Abbey (Haute-Loire). An exceptional edition dedicated to Roland Dyens, featuring the legendary Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel as the closing act. Four days of classical guitar, jazz, flamenco, and world music concerts in the priory church, the chapel, and on the abbey esplanade.
10th Anniversary: July 15-18, 2026
For its 10th anniversary, the Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier festival presents a special edition from July 15 to 18, 2026 at Chanteuges Abbey, dedicated to a tribute to Roland Dyens, a major figure in contemporary classical guitar.
For four days, the abbey will host internationally renowned guitarists alongside promising young talents. The program unfolds in three emblematic spaces: the priory church for the four main evening concerts, the chapel for young talents' recitals, and the abbey esplanade for open-air aperitif concerts.
The 2026 edition notably brings together Tommy Emmanuel (headliner, closing concert on Saturday, July 18), Raphaël Feuillâtre, Duo Canopée, Trio Lydie Fuerte Barroca, Benjamin Viallet, and the winner of the Roland Dyens Competition 2026. A public discovery day, combining the site's heritage with a music and circus show, completes the program.
Programme Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier 2026
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- 18:00 — Official opening of the festival in the presence of elected officials
- 18:30 — Aperitif concert · Abbey Esplanade
Thursday, July 16, 2026
- 10:00 — Discovery Day: history and geography of the Chanteuges site
- 14:00 — Music and circus show
- 17:00 — Recital · Benjamin Viallet · Chapel
- 18:30 — Aperitif concert · Poiscand group · Abbey Esplanade
- 20:30 — Concert · Duo Canopée · Priory Church
Friday, July 17, 2026
- 17:00 — Recital · Winner of the Roland Dyens Competition 2026 · Chapel
- 18:30 — Aperitif concert · Allegria Nuevo · Abbey Esplanade
- 20:30 — Concert · Trio Lydie Fuerte Barroca · Priory Church
Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Closing Night
- 18:30 — Aperitif concert · Old Flames · Abbey Esplanade
- 20:30 — Closing Concert · Tommy Emmanuel · Priory Church
Other artists announced for this 10th edition: Raphaël Feuillâtre, Raphaël Duchosal, Ernesto Insam. Detailed program and full schedule on the official festival website.
Highlights Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier 2026
- 10th anniversary of the festival (2026 edition)
- Tribute to Roland Dyens
- Closing concert by Tommy Emmanuel, on Saturday, July 18
- Concerts in the priory church, the chapel, and on the esplanade of Chanteuges Abbey
- Public discovery day with music and circus show
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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Where does it take place — Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier
Abbaye de Chanteuges
La Vialle, Abbaye de Chanteuges, 43300 Chanteuges