Villefranchement Jazz

Jazz takes over the royal bastide

Created in 2023, Villefranchement Jazz is a young festival supported by AJAR (Association Animation Jazz Rouergue), the Espaces Culturels of Villefranche, and the Comité des Fêtes. It builds on the jazz tradition of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a town that houses the second largest public jazz collection in France — an exceptional collection of records, magazines, and archives built up over decades.

A full day dedicated to jazz

The festival takes place over a full day with a varied program:

• Record Fair (9 am-5 pm): under the arcades of Place Notre-Dame, bargain hunters and music lovers can find used CDs, vinyl records, books, and musical equipment. Stalls cost 2 euros per linear meter.
• Free Open-Air Concert (3:30 pm): on Place Notre-Dame, a concert open to all for a friendly introduction to jazz. In 2024, The Jazz Bicravers performed a gypsy jazz set.
• Evening at Château de Graves (8 pm): in the elegant setting of the castle, a Lindy Hop (swing dance) initiation followed by concerts. In 2024, the all-female group Octopussy and the Mississippi Jazz Band electrified the evening.

Photographic Exhibition

In parallel with the festival, a photographic exhibition dedicated to jazz is presented at La Manufacture, Villefranche's cultural center. In 2024, the exhibition “Villefranchement Jazz” was visible from August 27th to September 7th, offering an artistic perspective on the world of jazz through the lens of passionate photographers.

Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a town of jazz

The festival draws on a jazz heritage deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The town boasts an exceptionally rich jazz documentary collection — records, sheet music, magazines, and archives — making it a reference point for enthusiasts and researchers. Villefranchement Jazz contributes to keeping this heritage alive by sharing it with as many people as possible in a festive and friendly atmosphere.