La Fête de la Musique Means Summer is Here
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For this month’s article, Beth spills the beans on the popular ‘Fête de la Musique’, a day dedicated to celebrating music throughout the country, and now, the world. But don’t worry, it’s not another sneaky French Bank holiday, just a day to have fun, after work or school has finished.
I recall the ‘Fête de la Musique’, very well. I was in a band, and at the time, in France, it wasn’t easy to find gigs and events (unpaid of course!), unless you were already established in the area. So this new special day was a game changer, for people and for culture, you could hear people having musical fun all over the country! It seems like a long time ago, but it’s not aged at all, ‘au contraire’. Over to you Beth, tell us about it.
“If you’re in France on June 21, prepare to have fun. Why? Because it is the Fête de la Musique, a nationwide celebration of the arts centred on music.
A Bit of History
The brainchild of this national event is Jack Lang, who is possibly the coolest government minister the French government has produced so far. Monsieur Lang was born in Mirecourt, Vosges. A bright lad, he studied Sciences at Po University before switching to law, where he earned a doctorate. He became a member of the Socialist Party and enjoyed a rapid rise in politics. He is the only politician to have served in all governments under the presidency of François Mitterrand between 1981-1986 and 1988-1993.
Lang is probably best known for establishing the Fête de la Musique when he was Ministre de la Culture. The concept behind his plan was straightforward: Let the people play!
A True Visionary
Lang’s vision for the day was for citizens to play and enjoy music everywhere. Literally. Whether it was provided by a live band playing in a park, a homeowner strumming the guitar from their balcony, or a crooner on the banks of the Seine, the dream was for beaches, mountaintops, street corners, rooftops, and gardens to be filled with the beauty of musical sounds. Little did the organisers realise that the festival would become a much-loved international celebration.
The initiative was launched in 1982 and captured the imagination of other nations. It has since become a global event known as World Music Day, celebrated in over a hundred countries. Musicians, composers, conductors, singer-songwriters, and instrumentalists have all become involved, though ordinary people remain the true headliners.
And it doesn’t stop there. Emmanuel Macron, the current French President, decided to go one step further.
France Music Week
Announced by Macron in 2024 and confirmed by the current Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, the inaugural edition of France Music Week will be launched this year. It will run from June 16, to June 21, culminating in a blockbuster free concert in Paris on the evening of the Fête de la Musique, showcasing several of France’s most renowned musicians. (If you fancy going along, registration is required.)
Aims and Costs
At its inception, La Fête de la Musique was declared a free festival. Jack Lang appointed Maurice Fleuret, a French composer, music journalist and radio producer, as Director of Music and Dance. Fleuret implemented Lang’s ideas, which defined the egalitarian vision. He is famously known for stating, “Music will be everywhere, and concerts nowhere”, the fundamental concept being that music should be without a hierarchy of genres or practices and open to all French people.
Where to Find the Music
If you fancy listening to music, spontaneously joining in and tapping your toes or dancing ’til dawn, there are numerous venues to choose from. They range from streets and parks to public buildings, libraries, museums, train stations, shops, and châteaux. There’s music of every kind and genre performed by individuals, bands, and prominent music institutions such as orchestras, operas, and choirs, though the original premise remains intact. Any professional musicians involved offer their time free of charge.
Each major city hosts events throughout the municipality, but it truly doesn’t matter where in the country you are. There are currently a whopping 324 officially listed performances, and that’s likely a conservative estimate.
Party in Paris
If Paris is your destination, take a look at these additional performances. The main spectacles are typically held in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Petit Palais, the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Louvre , the Jardin du Luxembourg and Place Denfert-Rochereau. And for something a bit different, you’ll find amateur bands performing various styles of music in many locations throughout the city. For a smidge of romance, strolling along the banks of the Seine and immersing yourself in diverse music is a truly magical experience.
Holiday Time
For us in Occitanie, Toulouse, our region’s capital, will host hundreds of free concerts to suit all musical tastes, including jamming sessions for those who feel inspired to join in. Tempting though they sound, we’ll be at the beach on the West Coast this year. It’s the first time we have celebrated Fête de la Musique on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and I can’t wait to see what happens.”
As always, thanks a million, Beth. Have a fabulous holiday by the Ocean, I’m sure you’ll hear music on the beaches too, and it may provide a wave of inspiration for your next book! Please let us know when you return from your holiday.
In the meantime, you can learn more about influential French writers, artists and painters, as well as significant events and festivals in our comprehensive guide to France. And don’t forget to go out with an instrument, or make noise on this special day, which also happens to mark the summer solstice. As they say in France, “faites de la musique!”
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