News

The advent of summer brings a very special annual event to Paris. The Fête de la Musique is a music festival which takes place on the summer solstice, June 21st. All across the City of Light musicians play free concerts in a spirit of sharing and good cheer. There’s an astonishing variety of types of music played in a wide array of venues as everyone shares a special day and an art form that is truly a global language. Enjoy a stay at L’Ouest Hotel, where we will be delighted to offer our recommendations and tips for making the most of the Fête de la Musique.

The Fête de la Musique; live performances throughout Paris

A 1982 study of the cultural habits of the French people undertaken at the behest of the Ministry of Culture discovered that nearly half of the nation could play a musical instrument. There seemed to be so much musical talent, yet comparatively few outlets for it to be displayed. So it was that the Fête de la Musique was inaugurated. This was to be an occasion on which musicians would be invited to play and everyone else would be invited to listen. The date chosen for the event was June 21st, the summer solstice. An all-day free music festival would be a wonderful way to herald the coming of the months of warmth and sunshine. The idea proved to be an immensely popular one and has been repeated every year since then. In fact, it’s such a great idea that it’s spread internationally as World Music Day, and is celebrated in more than 100 countries.

Aiming for the largest possible audience, the Fête de la Musique casts its net as wide as possible. Here you will hear live performances of classical, soul, rock, hip-hop, electro, reggae, funk, choral, folk, blues and more, played in a wide variety of styles by both amateur and professional musicians. Halls and theatres are used as venues, but also places that don’t usually ring to the sounds of live music are pressed into service as well, such as parks, railway stations, museums, restaurants and the streets and squares of the city. All performances are given free, and all you have to do is turn up and listen. Either plan your itinerary beforehand with the help of the programme of scheduled performances issued online by the organisers, or simply wander through Paris until something catches your ear and perhaps you’ll find an amazing new talent. There will be at least 500 performances to choose from, so the world of music will be your oyster on June 21st in Paris.

Among the artistes confirmed for the Fête de la Musique this year are Petra Lang, Matthias Goerne, Gazom Lhamo, Luba Orgonasova and the finest orchestras of Paris, including the Orchestre National d’Ile de France. Whatever your musical taste, you will find something to satisfy it during this wonderful free festival.           

******

Consult the event program

~oOo~

Picture Mexican Diva at the music festival in 2014 copyright holder : Jean-Pierre Dalbéra via Wikimedia Commons, [CC BY 2.0]

 

---

 

L'Ouest Hotel, an elegant 3-star hotel at Paris Saint-Lazare