Vaison Festival
Variety, humor, and music at the Ancient Theatre of Vaison-la-Romaine
2026
About Vaison Festival
The Vaison Festival is the premier summer destination for variety shows and live performances at the Théâtre Antique in Vaison-la-Romaine. Every summer, from late June to mid-August, it brings together French variety stars, comedians, musicians, and singers on an ancient stage set within an exceptional archaeological site. The program blends national headliners with a series of free 'Soirées à l'Antique' events hosted by the City of Vaison-la-Romaine. Distinct from the Choralies and Vaison Danses, the Vaison Festival offers a popular and accessible program, open to a wide audience of locals and tourists alike.
Vaison Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Vaison Festival features around fifteen evenings at the Roman Theatre of Vaison-la-Romaine, from June 23 to August 16, 2026. The lineup includes Messmer, Julien Clerc, Patrick Bruel, Calogero, Génération Céline, Laurent Voulzy, Benjamin Biolay, Jimmy Sax, and Marine and Yann Muller, complemented by five free 'Soirées à l'Antique' events hosted by the City in August (theatre, piano, rock, a tribute to Édith Piaf, and open-air cinema).
Vaison Festival 2026 — fifteen evenings at the Roman Theatre
From June 23 to August 16, 2026, the Vaison Festival presents an eclectic program at the Roman Theatre of Vaison-la-Romaine, blending French pop, mentalism, electronic music, tribute shows, and theatre. The official Vaison Festivals 2026 guide published by the City announces over twenty events at the Roman theatre between late June and mid-August, including five that are completely free, courtesy of the City of Vaison-la-Romaine.
A July filled with headliners
The festival kicks off on June 23 with Messmer's hypnosis and mentalism show, followed in early July by four evenings of French chanson: Julien Clerc on the 2nd, Patrick Bruel on the 3rd with his Alors Regarde 35 tour (sold out), Calogero on the 4th, and the Vaison Tribute Festival on the 5th for its fifth edition, featuring Bee Gees by Main Course and Elton John by Nearly Elton as the opening act.
Late July is the busiest period: Génération Céline on the 28th, with four singers brought together under the artistic direction of Erick Benzi; Laurent Voulzy on the 29th; Benjamin Biolay on the 30th; and saxophonist Jimmy Sax on the 31st.
A festive and free August
August begins with three popular events: Vaison Night Fever on the 2nd, hosted by Séverine Ferrer with icons from the 90s and 2000s; Marine, winner of Star Academy 2024, on the 4th; and a DJ set by Yann Muller on the 6th.
Starting August 7, the City takes over with the Soirées à l'Antique, five free events: the play Le Schpountz based on Marcel Pagnol on the 7th, a concert by the Amateurs virtuoses of the piano on the 9th, La Machine à remonter le rock on the 11th, a tribute to Édith Piaf by Anne Carrère on the 13th, and an open-air cinema screening of Moana 2 on August 16, preceded by a Tahitian dance performance. Free tickets can be picked up at the tourist office starting July 27.
The Roman Theatre in all its glory
All performances take place in the Roman Theatre of Vaison-la-Romaine, one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in France. Built in the 1st century AD, it can accommodate up to 6,000 spectators in a semi-circular cavea carved into the rock, boasting remarkable natural acoustics and the medieval rock of the Haute-Ville as a backdrop.
Ticketing
Tickets are available at the Vaison Ventoux Provence tourist office and standard points of sale. Residents of Vaison-la-Romaine enjoy preferential rates on most shows, available exclusively at the tourist office.
Highlights Vaison Festival 2026
- Around fifteen evenings at the Roman Theatre from June 23 to August 16, 2026, including five free events hosted by the City
- French chanson headliners: Julien Clerc (July 2), Patrick Bruel (July 3, sold out), Calogero (July 4), Laurent Voulzy (July 29), Benjamin Biolay (July 30)
- Messmer and his hypnosis show 13Hz as the opening act on June 23
- Tribute and festive evenings: Vaison Tribute Festival Bee Gees & Elton John (July 5), Génération Céline (July 28), Vaison Night Fever 90s-2000s (August 2)
- Free Soirées à l'Antique in August: Le Schpountz based on Pagnol, piano, rock, tribute to Édith Piaf, and open-air cinema with Moana 2
- Exceptional setting of the Roman Theatre, with up to 6,000 seats in a millennial semi-circular cavea
Programme Vaison Festival 2026
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- Messmer — 13Hz · Roman Theatre · Hypnosis and mentalism show by the Quebecois master fascinator, postponed from 2025 to 2026.
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — 8:30 PM
- Julien Clerc in concert · Roman Theatre · Tickets from €62.50 · A repertoire rich in songs that resonate in everyone's heart, from Ma préférence to Utile, including Femmes, je vous aime, Ce n'est rien, and Mélissa.
Friday, July 3, 2026 — 8:30 PM
- Patrick Bruel — Alors Regarde 35 · Roman Theatre · Sold out · Tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of the album Alors Regarde.
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — 8:30 PM
- Calogero in concert · Roman Theatre · Price: €68 · Bassist, singer, and composer, he has been delivering hits like En apesanteur and Fondamental for twenty-five years, for a concert blending energy, poetry, and intense emotions.
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — 8:30 PM
- Vaison Tribute Festival — 5th edition · Roman Theatre · €27 (€26 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · Two tribute bands: Bee Gees by Main Course, with Elton John by Nearly Elton as the opening act.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 — 8:30 PM
- Génération Céline · Roman Theatre · Tickets from €55 to €65 (€49 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · The greatest hits of Céline Dion performed live by four singers, under the artistic direction of Erick Benzi.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- Laurent Voulzy in concert · Roman Theatre · Tickets from €36 to €67 (-€3 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · Author of timeless melodies, he has influenced several generations with his sensitive universe and luminous harmonies.
Thursday, July 30, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- Benjamin Biolay in concert · Roman Theatre · Tickets from €36 to €49 (-€3 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · A major performer, author, and composer on the French scene, recognized for his sophisticated arrangements and sensitive lyrics.
Friday, July 31, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- Jimmy Sax in concert · Roman Theatre · Tickets from €39 (-€3 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · French saxophonist recognized on the international stage for his style blending electronic music, pop, and live performances.
Sunday, August 2, 2026 — 8:30 PM
- Vaison Night Fever · Roman Theatre · €40 (€39 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · Evening dedicated to the icons of the 90s and 2000s, hosted by Séverine Ferrer, with Boris, L5, 2Be3, G-Squad, Tragédie, Billy Crawford, and Worlds Apart.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- Marine in concert · Roman Theatre · Tickets from €39 to €64 (-€3 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · Grand winner of Star Academy 2024, she presents the sensitive universe of her first album Cœur Maladroit live.
Thursday, August 6, 2026 — 7:00 PM
- Yann Muller — DJ set · Roman Theatre · €39 (€36 for Vaison residents, only at the tourist office) · A figure of the electro and deep house scene, preceded on stage by DJ IPKISS; Monsieur et Madame Benoit close the evening.
Friday, August 7, 2026 — 9:00 PM — Soirée à l'Antique (free)
- Le Schpountz · Roman Theatre · Free · Theatrical adaptation of Marcel Pagnol's film, in the style of a boulevard comedy, directed by Marco Paolo: the story of Irénée, a naive and dreamy young grocer from Provence who sees himself as a movie star.
Sunday, August 9, 2026 — 9:00 PM — Soirée à l'Antique (free)
- Les Amateurs virtuoses — piano · Roman Theatre · Free · Concert for two pianos and eight pianists, featuring pieces by Aymonod, Bernstein, Gershwin, Infante, Musto, Rachmaninov, and Ravel.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 — 9:00 PM — Soirée à l'Antique (free)
- La Machine à remonter le rock · Roman Theatre · Free · Show blending music and theatre around the rock'n'roll of the 50s and 60s, following the footsteps of John, a pioneer of pirate radio.
Thursday, August 13, 2026 — 9:00 PM — Soirée à l'Antique (free)
- Tribute to Édith Piaf — « Non, je ne regrette rien » · Roman Theatre · Free · Anne Carrère, accompanied by four musicians, blends timeless classics and lesser-known gems from Piaf's repertoire.
Sunday, August 16, 2026 — 9:30 PM — Soirée à l'Antique (free)
- Open-air cinema: « Moana 2 » · Roman Theatre · Free · Screening in partnership with the Le Florian cinema, preceded by a Tahitian dance performance.
Good to know
- Tickets for the five free Soirées à l'Antique can be picked up at the tourist office starting July 27.
- On the same stage, Vaison Danses celebrates its 30th anniversary from July 10 to 25, 2026, with five shows (Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Shechter II, Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon, Abou Lagraa & Ballet de l'Opéra de Tunis, Malandain Ballet Biarritz) — tickets from €10 to €48, available at vaison-danses.com. This is a separate festival, scheduled in the same summer setting.
Prices Vaison Festival 2026
Prices per show:
- Julien Clerc (July 2): from €62.50
- Patrick Bruel (July 3): sold out
- Calogero (July 4): €68
- Vaison Tribute Festival (July 5): €27 (€26 for Vaison residents)
- Génération Céline (July 28): from €55 to €65 (€49 for Vaison residents)
- Laurent Voulzy (July 29): from €36 to €67 (-€3 for Vaison residents)
- Benjamin Biolay (July 30): from €36 to €49 (-€3 for Vaison residents)
- Jimmy Sax (July 31): from €39 (-€3 for Vaison residents)
- Vaison Night Fever (August 2): €40 (€39 for Vaison residents)
- Marine (August 4): from €39 to €64 (-€3 for Vaison residents)
- Yann Muller (August 6): €39 (€36 for Vaison residents)
Soirées à l'Antique on August 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16: free, courtesy of the City of Vaison-la-Romaine. Tickets to be picked up at the tourist office starting July 27.
Preferential rates reserved for Vaison-la-Romaine residents are available exclusively at the tourist office.
Note: Vaison Danses shows (July 10-25), a separate festival on the same stage, are priced from €10 to €48 with their own ticketing (vaison-danses.com and tourist office).
Practical information — Vaison Festival
Practical Information
Address
Théâtre Antique de Vaison-la-Romaine
84110 Vaison-la-Romaine
Access
By car: Vaison-la-Romaine is 45 km from Avignon (D975) and 28 km from Orange (D975). Parking is available in town, and shuttles may be provided depending on the show.
By bus: Intercity connections from Avignon, Carpentras, and Orange (Zou! network).
Ticketing
Tickets can be purchased at the Vaison Ventoux Provence tourist office and at standard points of sale (some shows are not available at the tourist office; this is specified on a case-by-case basis in the program).
Residents of Vaison-la-Romaine enjoy preferential rates on most shows, available only at the tourist office.
The Soirées à l'Antique are free: tickets must be picked up at the tourist office starting in late July, subject to availability.
Contact
Office de tourisme Vaison Ventoux Provence
84110 Vaison-la-Romaine
Tel: 04 90 36 02 11
Website: vaison-ventoux-provence.com
Vaison Festival: The ancient stage comes alive every summer
In the heart of Vaison-la-Romaine, one of France's most archaeologically rich cities, the Théâtre Antique is more than just a monument: it is a vibrant, living stage that locals and visitors have grown to love during the warmer months. While the Choralies (choral singing) and Vaison Danses (contemporary dance) have made the site famous, the Vaison Festival holds a unique place in this landscape: it is a popular, generous event designed for the general public looking to spend a beautiful summer evening under the stars of Provence.
Each summer, the Vaison Festival hosts several distinct evenings, each dedicated to a specific artist or show. Diversity is its hallmark: you will find comedians on national tours, French and Francophone variety singers, and eclectic musicians who span multiple genres. It is not a festival in the strict sense—with camping, multi-day passes, and a communal vibe—but rather a series of individual summer events, allowing everyone to choose the evening that suits them best.
Soirées à l'Antique: The festival's free offerings
The season is not limited to ticketed headliners. Every August, the City of Vaison-la-Romaine offers a series of free Soirées à l'Antique on the stage of the ancient theater: popular theater, piano concerts, musical shows, tributes to great French voices, and open-air cinema screenings. Free tickets can be picked up at the tourist office a few weeks before the performances. These evenings make the ancient theater a place truly open to everyone, extending the season well beyond the July concerts.
A stage within an ancient theater
The Théâtre Antique of Vaison-la-Romaine is one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in France. Built in the 1st century AD, it can accommodate up to 6,000 spectators in a semi-circular cavea carved into the rock. Like all ancient theaters in Provence, it benefits from remarkable natural acoustics and an exceptional visual setting, with the medieval rock upon which the Haute-Ville of Vaison stands as a backdrop.
Attending a show in this theater on a starry summer night, with the warmth of the ancient stones and the scent of the surrounding garrigue, is an experience that transcends the performance itself. Many artists have spoken of the unique emotion this stage provides, where history and live art meet at every performance.
Vaison-la-Romaine, a festival city
Vaison-la-Romaine is an exceptional city in the cultural landscape of the Vaucluse. Its archaeological excavations—the most extensive in France—reveal the remains of a prosperous Gallo-Roman city: mosaic houses, thermal baths, the Portico of Pompey, and an archaeological museum. The medieval Haute-Ville, perched on its rock and dominated by the castle of the Counts of Toulouse, offers a timeless stroll. The single-arch Roman bridge connecting the two banks of the Ouvèze is one of the most beautiful in Provence.
The city is also known as the Provençal capital of the black truffle of the Vaucluse, with its winter market and gourmet restaurants, and as a prime starting point for exploring the Dentelles de Montmirail, Mont Ventoux, and the perched villages of the Haut-Vaucluse. The Vaison Festival is part of this rich cultural and heritage landscape, serving as one of the faces of Vaison's summer life.
A program for every audience
The Vaison Festival program favors artists whose reputation guarantees a wide appeal: comedians on national tours whose shows have been anticipated for months, variety singers whose repertoire is shared across generations, and musicians who transcend genre boundaries. Every summer, you will also find tribute evenings and shows that bring families together around well-known repertoires.
This mix of styles—from laughter to music, from spectacle to emotion, from paid concerts to free evenings—is at the heart of the festival's identity, which refuses to be defined by a single genre and prefers to reflect the diverse tastes and expectations of the Provençal and tourist public.
Where does it take place — Vaison Festival
Vaison Festival in brief
History of Vaison Festival
Edition 2025 Jun 2025Other festivals near Vaison-la-Romaine
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