The Summer Music Festivals Set To Shake Up the Var Countryside
Summer in the Haut-Var is a season filled with musical melodies that will thrill every kind of music lover. The stages are set, whether in the heart of church abbeys, vineyards or medieval villages – each event promises a unique and enchanting setting. From rock to jazz and classical music, get involved and let yourself be enchanted by the wonderful musical programmes on offer, and by the stunning landscape and captivating atmosphere that our Provençal region is so famous for.
Music in the Vineyards in Provence
Every year, from May to September, the vineyards of the southern Rhône Valley resonate with the sounds of jazz and classical music. The ‘Musicales Dans Les Vignes’ festival offers an immersive experience in the heart of the wine estates of Vaucluse, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var, combining the pleasures of music with a passion for wine and thus encouraging the discovery of southern wine territories and their specialities. In total, 100 jazz or classical music concerts with carefully selected repertoires have been planned across 50 prestigious wine estates in Provence.
Regional Voices
The Var department is again running its summer music tour! Swing, blues, rock, jazz, Latin-Cuban, Brazilian or world music, the ‘Voix Départementales’ will perform a beautiful musical journey through a program featuring more than 20 concerts. Like every summer, the 2025 edition visits all the important spots in the Var: Abbaye de La Celle, Entrecasteaux, La Croix-Valmer, Le Muy, Roquebrune-sur-Argens, La Motte, Montferrat, Seillons-Source-d’Argens, Taradeau, Tourves, Bras, Gonfaron, Belgentier, Mazaugues, Montmeyan, Seillans, Bargemon, Pignans, Saint-Zacharie, Le Beausset et Barjols.
Music from Provençal Villages and Estates
Embark on a historic journey to the heart of the magnificent Provençal villages. The Gloriana festival promises renowned artists performing on stages within the very best examples of Provençal architecture – a striking spectacle that will be sure to delight every audience member! For a month these talented artists will take over village chapels, parks and churches to offer uniquely intimate musical performances. Why not take an enchanted stroll through the Var and let yourself be carried away by this extraordinary musical experience.
Néoules Festival
The Néoules Festival makes its comeback with an impressive guest list, including Groundation, Tagada Jones, THK, Atili and many more. Since its founding in 1991, this festival has continued to make a statement within the musical landscape. This year is no exception, and it promises a programme that is both colourful and diverse. Considered one of the oldest music festivals in the Var, the Néoules Festival is proud to welcome its patrons to its idyllic setting on the magnificent site of the Bastide de Châteauloin every year.
Musicals of the Abbey at Le Thoronet
Despite its richly silent and contemplative ambiance, Le Thoronet Abbey maintains a close relationship with music and promotes many musical events. For thirty years, the Thoronet International Early Music Meetings have hosted the best vocal and instrumental ensembles of early music, which particularly benefitted from the exceptional acoustics of the abbey. The Centre des Monuments Nationaux wanted to relaunch such events and so created Les Musicales de l’Abbaye du Thoronet in 2022, which offered a much wider repertoire this season with 8 unique concerts with exceptional performers.
Musical Evenings at the Abbey de La Celle
The ‘White Nights’ of Le Thoronet
Founded in 1998 by a team of volunteers, this popular festival promotes social ties and supports humanitarian projects in Burkina Faso, specifically the fight against malnutrition and Noma disease. The festival raises public awareness around sharing, solidarity and tolerance, and is supported by associations such as Le Mouvement pour la Paix, the Ligue des Droits de l’Homme, Amnesty International and Enfants du Monde. In the heart of the Var, the younger generation of French artists follows the example of their elders, fostering the loyalty of a regional audience and encouraging the discovery of new musical trends.
Cotignac Rock Village
Entrecasteaux Chamber Music Festival
Since 1982, the Entrecasteaux Chamber Music Festival has presented unpublished classical and contemporary works, performed by internationally renowned artists and promising young musical talents. This August, the unique programme will be performed in the villages of the Haut Var, in order to promote culture in rural areas. The festival is open to all audiences, whether dedicated music lovers who have supported the artists for years, or keen novices who benefit from free admission (up to 18 years old).
Classical music in Provence
