Voyages en Guitare

Voyages en Guitare in Chinon

Voyages en Guitare is a festival dedicated to guitar in all its forms, held annually in September in Chinon, Indre-et-Loire. Centered at the Collégiale Saint-Mexme, an iconic Romanesque monument of the town, the festival also extends to the streets of the historic center and surrounding towns, coinciding with the European Heritage Days.

A World Tour Through Guitar

The festival lives up to its name: each edition is a true musical journey through European and global cultures. The guitar, a universal instrument, serves as the common thread to explore diverse repertoires:

• Flamenco: the passion and virtuosity of Andalusian guitar
• Gypsy music: the heritage of Django Reinhardt and manouche jazz
• Celtic music: the enchanting melodies of the Celtic countries
• Balkan music: the lively rhythms of Eastern Europe
• Jazz: from bossa nova to fusion jazz
• Blues: Delta blues, Chicago blues, and all their variations
• Classical and Baroque: the guitar in scholarly repertoire
• Rock and swing: rock standards and the swing rhythms of the Roaring Twenties

About Thirty Concerts

Each edition features approximately thirty concerts, many of which are free and accessible to all. Performances take place in the Collégiale Saint-Mexme, in Chinon's squares, in troglodyte caves, and in neighboring towns. In 2025, the festival notably hosted the group Vaudou Game for an exceptional evening.

The Collégiale Saint-Mexme, a Musical Setting

The Collégiale Saint-Mexme, a jewel of 11th-century Romanesque art, offers exceptional acoustics for guitar concerts. Restored and transformed into a cultural space, it is the beating heart of the festival. Its majestic architecture and thousand-year history add a unique heritage dimension to each musical performance.

The Voyages en Guitare Association

The festival is supported by the Voyages en Guitare association, located at Place Saint-Mexme in Chinon. The association works year-round to promote guitar and world music, also organizing workshops and musical encounters. Reservations and information are available from the Chinon Tourist Office.