Tours de Chant

French song in the spotlight in Provence

Tours de Chant is a festival dedicated to French and Francophone song, held in Gréoux-les-Bains, a charming spa town nestled between the Valensole plateau and the Verdon gorges. Each edition highlights the art of the 'tour de chant', that stage tradition where a performer, alone or in a duo, presents an entire repertoire, weaving an intimate and direct link with the audience.

An exceptional setting between heritage and nature

The festival takes place in several emblematic locations in Gréoux-les-Bains. The Centre de Congrès l'Étoile, located on Avenue Pierre Brossolette, hosts indoor performances with carefully managed acoustics and a capacity that preserves the intimacy of the recitals. During the day and in the evening, open-air concerts liven up the squares and alleys of the medieval village, under the shade of the majestic Château des Templiers, which has dominated the town since the 12th century.

An eclectic and demanding program

The Tours de Chant program explores all facets of French-language song. From recitals of lyrical songs to shows blending gypsy jazz, musette music, and songs of yesteryear, the festival offers a vibrant panorama of French song, from its popular roots to its most contemporary expressions. The repertoires span different eras, invoking the great figures of song – Charles Trenet, Fréhel, Barbara, Jacques Brel, Georges Brassens – while also giving a voice to today's creators.

Artists up close to the audience

The spirit of Tours de Chant is based on the proximity between artists and spectators. Intimate formats – voice-piano recitals, voice-guitar duos, acoustic trios – are favored to create an atmosphere of sharing and complicity. Eclectic musicians like Louise Perret and Jean-Baptiste Gaudrat embody this spirit by offering song cycles that blend French song, gypsy jazz, and Eastern European music, in a musical pilgrimage filled with poetry, humor, and passion.

A festival rooted in local life

Driven by a desire to keep culture alive in rural areas, Tours de Chant is part of the cultural dynamic of Gréoux-les-Bains and the Pays de Manosque. The festival benefits from the support of the Office de Tourisme et des Congrès du Pays de Manosque and the municipality. The event contributes to the attractiveness of this renowned spa town, offering spa guests, tourists, and residents an accessible and high-quality program, often with free or donation-based entry.