For the last 38 years in France, the 21st June is not just the longest day of the year but also the day of the fête de la musique. This “festival of music” is no ordinary festival. Created in France in 1982, it has been taken up by neighbouring countries where it has been just as successful. Music takes over the city’s streets, with live bands, singers, amateur musicians, drummers, DJs and so on scattered throughout the city, expressing themselves through music and inviting the crowd to enjoy themselves. In Paris, stages spring up all over the city, in particular on the capital’s major squares and in its parks. The biggest and best-known are generally in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Petit Palais, the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Louvre, Jardin du Luxembourg, on Place Denfert Rochereau and along the banks of the Seine. But amateur bands playing all different kinds of music offer surprises around every corner. For this special night, public transport offers discounted travel and some lines run all night.

In Paris, stages spring up all over the city, in particular on the capital’s major squares and in its parks

Launched in 1982 by the Ministry of Culture with the aim of bringing down to the streets the five million French who played a musical instrument, the Fête de la musique is celebrated on June 21, mainly in the evening and the night until the next morning, worldwide. Free and open to all musicians, amateurs and professionals, the Music Festival is open to all audiences and showcases all musical genres.

The little story behind the creation of the Music Festival

Several elements and actors have given the impetus to create a great annual and national music festival.
The idea of a date to celebrate music came partly from the lutenist and former assistant of the director of France Musique, Joël Cohen. In 1976 he imagined « music saturnals » that would take place on June 21 and December 21. A few years later, in 1981, Maurice Fleuret, a former member of France Musique, was appointed Director of Music and Dance at the Ministry of Culture.

In 1982, a major survey revealed that 5 million French people practice a musical instrument. Jack Lang, Maurice Fleuret and Christian Dupavillon members of the cabinet and stage artists, then realized the importance of music for the French. They launched in the wake the first edition of the Music Festival. Thanks to the participation and commitment of thousands of professional and amateur musicians, the event is a huge success. The date of the Music Festival has since been engraved in the head of every French citizen as an unmissable event. 

Urban transport serving the Fête la musique

A success such that some city services adapt to the event. For the music festival, the transports of many cities often adjust their service schedules. In Paris, RATP offers subways all night ; to Lyon Sytral network remains open until two in the morning ; Lille metro expands its offer and runs until 1:30 am. A service adapted to this festive event that allows participants to return easily and safely after attending concerts.

The party of all music, without a gender hierarchy!

Since its creation, the vocation of the Fête de la musique has been to celebrate all music. Whether it is classical music or of contemporary music, all genres have their place in the streets and squares of France. All genres, but also all levels. The Music Festival is an open event professionals and amateurs alike. 

Concert of Amadou and Mariam in Argenteuil at the Fête de la musique 2019, Brazilian percussions in Toulouse in 2012, the reggae group Massilia Sound System in 2001 at the Théâtre antique d’Arles, or representation of the multi-family ofinstrumentalists of Barback’s Ogres in Caen in 2009, the musical universes presented are as wide as the music has genres and subgenres.

The Ministry of Culture, hosting an exceptional evening concert at the Palais-Royal

Every year the Ministry of Culture takes part in the festivities and organizes a whole day of concerts at the Palais-Royal for the Fête de la musique in Paris.  The ministry has invited artists Mentissa, Eesah Yasuke, Temenik Electric, the Confluence Quartet (Proquartet), as well as fans such as the winners of the Tremplin pass Culture, the Cité des Marmots, the Tanguent Muses Band and ministry officials.

These concerts are, like most events of the June 21, free shows, open to all and with the aim of showing all the diversity of music (entrance Place Colette, 75001).

World Music Day, Fiesta de la musica, a French celebration that is exported all over the world

In 1985, the European Year of Music marked the international development of this musical day. An export framed in 1997 by the creation in Budapest of a charter of «the European festival of music». 30 years later, the Music Festival is exported to 120 countries, in Europe, but also in Colombia, Peru, China, Philippines, Canada…