Un Piano à la Mer, Floating Festival

Un Piano à la Mer: When Music Floats on the Waters of Provence

Created in 2007 by the Compagnie La Rumeur, the festival Un Piano à la Mer is a unique artistic adventure that transforms the beaches and bodies of water in the South of France into open-air concert halls. For over ten years, this floating festival has enchanted thousands of spectators by offering piano recitals on the water, floating lyrical shows, and extraordinary sound installations.

A Digne Stopover at the Plan d'eau des Ferréols

Among the festival's emblematic locations, the Plan d'eau des Ferréols in Digne-les-Bains holds a special place. Nestled at the foot of the Alpes de Haute-Provence, this site offers an exceptional natural setting with its calm waters surrounded by lavender-covered hills. The floating piano drifts gently on the lake while spectators settle on the banks to attend concerts at sunset, in an atmosphere that is both intimate and magical.

Extraordinary Musical Creations

The Compagnie La Rumeur, an artist collective based in Marseille, has developed a unique artistic universe around the piano:

• The Floating Piano: A grand piano installed on a platform drifting on the water, for recitals carried by the current.
• The Pianocktail: Inspired by Boris Vian, this hybrid instrument combines music and mixology in a complete sensory performance.
• The Submersible Piano: A daring creation that literally plunges music underwater.
• Pianistic Duels: Two pianists compete on the lid of a grand piano in a virtuosic and humorous show.
• The Piano Walker: A piano pushed through the streets, accompanied by megaphone singing.

An Eclectic and Demanding Program

Each edition of the festival brings together renowned artists and emerging creators around a program that transcends musical genres. From jazz to classical music, from French chanson to opera, including world music and contemporary creations, Un Piano à la Mer celebrates the piano in all its forms. Among the artists who have participated in the festival are pianist François-René Duchâble, composer Bruno Fontaine, pianist Steve Villa Massone, and singer Patricia Gajardo.

A Popular and Accessible Festival

True to its mission of cultural democratization, Un Piano à la Mer operates on a system of free participation with a suggested price of ten euros per evening. This choice allows a family audience of five to six thousand people each year to enjoy quality performances in exceptional natural settings, from the beaches of Marseille to the lakes of Verdon, including the bodies of water in the Alpes de Haute-Provence.

Compagnie La Rumeur: Creator of Musical Emotions

Based at 69 rue Jean Cristofol in Marseille, Compagnie La Rumeur is an artist collective specializing in street musical performances and unusual sound installations. Founded by passionate musicians, the company creates instruments adapted to unusual spaces: pianos on wheels, barrel organs, musical carousels, and aquatic pianos. Their work lies at the crossroads of street performance, classical concerts, and artistic installations, with a constant desire to surprise and move the audience unexpectedly.