St Hil Jazz Festival
The festival of all jazz in the Pays de Retz
About St Hil Jazz
Created in 2018 by the association Complètement LIVE!, the St Hil Jazz Festival is the jazz event of the back-to-school season in the Pays de Retz, between Nantes and Pornic. Every year, at the beginning of September, the Parc de la Cure in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons hosts two days of open-air concerts under a covered stage, in a bucolic and friendly setting. The festival offers an eclectic program mixing contemporary jazz, blues, soul, funk, and improvised music, with national and international renowned artists alongside emerging talents and musicians from the Loire region. Saturday evening is dedicated to sunset concerts, while Sunday favors a relaxed atmosphere, with a country picnic and musical brunch. Since its creation, the St Hil Jazz Festival has hosted artists such as Airelle Besson, Baptiste Trotignon, Robin McKelle, Thomas Enhco, Erik Truffaz, Géraldine Laurent, Rolando Luna, and Stéphane Belmondo. The festival is distinguished by its family spirit, its local roots with catering highlighting local products (oysters, crepes, aperitif platters), and its accessibility to all audiences.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach St Hil Jazz at the best price.
Sponsored link
St Hil Jazz Festival: Jazz Takes to the Air in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons
Nestled between Nantes and Pornic, in the heart of the Pays de Retz, the St Hil Jazz Festival transforms the Parc de la Cure into a green setting vibrant with the rhythm of jazz every early September. Born in 2018 from the passion of the association Complètement LIVE!, this human-sized festival offers a two-day musical immersion in a bucolic setting, under the chestnut trees of the park.
From New Orleans to Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons
The St Hil Jazz Festival's program explores all facets of jazz: from contemporary jazz to blues, from soul to funk, from improvised music to original creations. The festival hosts top-tier artists on the French and international jazz scene. Among the headliners of previous editions: Airelle Besson (Victoire de la Musique 2015), Baptiste Trotignon, Robin McKelle (American diva at the crossroads of soul and jazz), Thomas Enhco, Erik Truffaz, Géraldine Laurent (double Victoire du Jazz 2023), Rolando Luna (Cuban pianist from the Buena Vista Social Club), and Stéphane Belmondo.
Two Days, Two Ambiences
On Saturday afternoon and evening, three concerts follow one another in a sunset atmosphere, with ensembles ranging from trios to quintets. On Sunday, the festival adopts a more relaxed pace: picnic on the grass, musical brunch, and concerts in a deckchair style under the park's trees. The covered outdoor stage allows you to enjoy the concerts regardless of the weather conditions.
A Friendly and Gourmet Festival
The St Hil Jazz Festival makes it a point of honor to offer quality catering that highlights local products: oysters, salads, crepes, aperitif platters, and hot dishes are served on-site, accompanied by a bar. The festival's family-friendly and warm atmosphere makes it an unmissable event of the cultural season in Loire-Atlantique.
St Hil Jazz — edition 2026
The 8th edition of the St Hil Jazz Festival will be held on September 5 and 6, 2026, at the Parc de la Cure in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons. The festival will continue its mission of presenting all kinds of jazz in a country and friendly setting, between Nantes and Pornic, with a program mixing renowned artists and emerging talents.
8th Edition — See You on September 5 and 6, 2026
The St Hil Jazz Festival returns for its 8th edition on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the Parc de la Cure in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons. Among the announced artists are Maria Hayes Fisher, The Hook Up with Axelle du Rouret, as well as Rolandito, Giselle Gallego, and Nerey.
As every year, the festival will offer two days of open-air concerts on its covered stage, with the sunset atmosphere on Saturday and the musical brunch on Sunday, all accompanied by catering that highlights local products.
The full program will be unveiled in summer 2026 on the festival's official website.
Programme St Hil Jazz 2026
2026 Program (being unveiled)
Saturday, September 5
- Maria Hayes Fisher
- Rolandito, Giselle Gallego, Nerey
Sunday, September 6
- The Hook Up feat. Axelle du Rouret
- Chill vibes
Full program coming soon on sthiljazzfestival.com.
Highlights St Hil Jazz 2026
To Note for 2026
- Dates: Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2026
- 8th edition of the festival
- Maria Hayes Fisher among the announced artists
- The Hook Up with Axelle du Rouret
- Rolandito, Giselle Gallego, Nerey
- Adult ticket: approximately 20 euros per day, weekend pass in pre-sale
- Free for under 16s
Prices St Hil Jazz 2026
Practical information — St Hil Jazz
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons is located about 30 minutes from Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, and 15 minutes from Pornic. From Nantes, take the direction of Pornic via the D751 and follow the signs for Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons. Parking is available near the Parc de la Cure.
By public transport: The Aléop bus line connects Nantes to Pornic via Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons. The nearest train station is Pornic (Nantes-Pornic line).
Festival Venue
The festival takes place at the Parc de la Cure, Allée des Châtaigniers, in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons. The covered outdoor stage allows you to enjoy the concerts with peace of mind. Free seating on chairs and deckchairs.
Pricing
Free for under 16s. Adult ticket: approximately 20 euros per day, weekend pass available at a reduced pre-sale price. Online ticketing on Billetweb and in the tourist offices of Destination Pornic.
Accessibility
The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. For any specific requests, please contact the organization by email.
Catering
Bar and catering on-site: oysters, salads, crepes, aperitif platters, and hot dishes. Local products are prioritized.
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 St Hil Jazz at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — St Hil Jazz
Parc de la Cure
Allée des Châtaigniers, 44680 Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons