Six Cordes au Fil de l'Allier - Guitar Festival of Chanteuges

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.