A lively tribute to the poet from Antraigues

Welcome to the Jean Ferrat 2025 festival at Antraigues-sur-Volane in the Ardèche: come and enjoy three days of concerts, musical discoveries and conviviality from 18 to 20 July. An eclectic programme, a tribute to French chanson and easy access for all.

A lively tribute to the poet from Antraigues

Antraigues-sur-Volane? Every summer, this small village in the Ardèche, draped over the winding slopes of an ancient volcano, buzzes with the words, melodies and fervour of an entire community, united around a man whose name resonates far beyond the mountains: Jean Ferrat. A major artist, an immense poet and a committed humanist, Ferrat rests here among the singing stones he so often celebrated, giving the eponymous festival a setting as inspiring as it is intimate.

Since its creation in 2011, on the initiative of Colette Ferrat and local councillors, the Jean Ferrat Festival has been a not-to-be-missed event for lovers of French chanson à texte. For over a decade, it has embodied the desire to celebrate life, poetry and sharing at the very heart of the artist’s homeland. Year after year, the event has grown in renown, welcoming hundreds of visitors in an atmosphere where conviviality mingles with artistic excellence.

French chanson as a common thread

The festival was born out of a sense of urgency: the need to extend Jean Ferrat’s humanist spirit over time and across generations. Far from the glitz and glamour of the media, Ferrat made Antraigues his refuge, his home base and, above all, his place of friendship and encounters.

The primary mission of this festival remains the defence and promotion of French chanson in all its forms and nuances. There’s no dusty folklore here, just a vibrant, eclectic and free celebration, true to the rebellious and innovative spirit of Ferrat. Each edition of the festival offers a fertile dialogue between genres: chanson, rock, slam, rap, folk, comedy, musical theatre and even shows for young people. This diversity, loud and clear, reflects our desire to reach out to all audiences, to open our ears to a diversity of voices.

Particular emphasis is placed on discovering and promoting young talent. Special stage areas, such as Découverte and Tremplin, are dedicated to these up-and-coming artists, who often find their first platform and the warmth of a sympathetic audience here. For many of them, Antraigues is much more than a stopover: it’s the starting point for musical and human adventures.

In addition to its artistic vocation, the festival has a strong commitment to accessibility. By offering a wide range of shows free of charge or at deliberately modest prices, the festival is aimed at everyone, without social or generational barriers. This choice, far from being insignificant, is in line with Jean Ferrat’s commitment to popular culture and freedom of expression.

History of the festival: from a tribute to an institution

To celebrate Jean Ferrat in Antraigues is to tell the story of a man who, from the early 60s onwards, transformed this village into an artistic melting pot. Ferrat, Reggiani, Barbara, Brel, Moustaki and so many others met at the Antraigues table. From these evenings, these discussions, sprang a rare fraternity, perpetuated today by the festival.

Launched in 2011, the event immediately took over the village square. Colette Ferrat, a faithful companion and guardian of the artist’s memory, is working to make this event a place for authentic exchanges, far from the flashy spotlights. The festival quickly established itself in the cultural landscape of the Ardèche and spread beyond, attracting loyal audiences, summer visitors and the curious who were drawn by the unique alchemy of a Ferrat-style atmosphere.

Although the health crisis forced the festival to adapt, the 2025 edition, the fourteenth, is consolidating a return to normality, with the renewed ambition of reaching pre-Covid attendance levels of between 800 and 1,000 spectators each evening. This loyalty, handed down from one generation to the next, is testament to the indestructible bond between the artist, the village and the fans who flock there.

The 2025 edition: women, commitment and plural creation

Each edition of the festival is an opportunity to highlight a strong theme, directly linked to current events or the work of Jean Ferrat. The year 2025 is no exception, and in many respects promises to be a year of light.

From 18 to 20 July, the 14th edition will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the album La femme est l’avenir de l’homme, a masterpiece released in 1975 and inspired by a magnificent poem by Louis Aragon. More than a tribute, it’s a declaration: emancipation, equality and the resonance of women’s voices will be at the heart of the programme.

This choice echoes a burning issue, both socially and artistically. The organisers wanted not only to pay tribute to this classic of the repertory, but also to place women’s words, creativity and struggle at the heart of the festivities. A double all-female line-up will open the festivities on Friday evening, a powerful symbol of this desire to put the talent, poetry and commitment of women creators centre stage.

On Saturday morning, a lecture in tribute to Anne Sylvestre, a great lady of song and friend of Jean Ferrat, will provide food for thought, while rap, slam and poetry will open the stage to a new generation driven by words and daring.

The omnipresent brass band will provide the rhythm for both the opening and closing of the event, infusing it with the joyful energy that is the hallmark of an event rooted in the land but resolutely open to the world. As for the Emerging Scenes, they will be playing their role to the full as a springboard for up-and-coming artists, confirming Antraigues’ place as a breeding ground for talent. Finally, the traditional Banquet under the stars will put conviviality on the menu, in a magical and popular atmosphere.

A supportive and committed organisation

Behind the festival is an association: Jean Ferrat Culture et Chansons, supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic volunteers who are the real linchpins in the success of this human adventure. In 2025, Patrice Lutier and Joël Baratier took over the presidency of the association, driven by the desire to perpetuate the heritage while breathing new life into it.

The logistics of the festival would be nothing without the web of local and institutional partners (companies, collectives, public support) who provide material, financial or artistic assistance. But it’s above all the warmth and commitment of the people of Antraigues and the southern Ardèche who give the event its real soul.

For several years now, the festival has also been offering preludes outside the festival walls. A few days before the official opening, concerts and shows take over other towns in the Ardèche, extending Ferrat’s spirit throughout the region and spreading the word about French chanson.

A spirit of celebration and exchange faithful to Jean Ferrat

The Jean Ferrat Festival is not just a cultural event; it is, above all, a popular and fraternal celebration. Everything here invites sharing, encounters and spontaneous exchanges between artists and audiences. Barriers come down, and anyone can meet a singer, slammer or poet on a street corner or on a bench.

This closeness, this refusal to be star-struck, is a direct legacy of Jean Ferrat himself, a man of dialogue rather than posturing, always a humanist, a fierce defender of dignity and freedom of expression.

The Place de la Résistance is the focal point of the festivities, but the conviviality extends into the alleyways, cafés and gardens, where the evenings continue in the glow of passionate discussion. The festival, true to its values, is committed to essential causes: the defence of cultural diversity, gender equality, intergenerational transmission and access to culture for all.

The festival’s funding relies heavily on the generosity of its supporters: members, donors and patrons, whose contributions are rewarded with substantial tax benefits. This model, based on solidarity, guarantees the independence and freedom of our programming.

Video preview of the festival

The Ardèche, a land of hospitality and creativity

Attending the Jean Ferrat Festival is also an opportunity to discover or rediscover the Ardèche, with its exceptional natural and cultural heritage. Character villages, wild rivers, gourmet markets: the region vibrates to the rhythm of the festivities all summer long. Many of the artists present here extend their stay, taking advantage of the inspiring landscapes to write, compose or simply enjoy the local way of life.

Audiences make no mistake: the festival is the ideal excuse to combine artistic emotion with a change of scenery, transporting each visitor into a bubble of human warmth and authenticity.

Practical information

To get the most out of the Jean Ferrat Festival 2025 adventure, here are the key points to remember:

• Dates: from 18 to 20 July 2025
  
• Main location: Place de la Résistance, Antraigues-sur-Volane (Ardèche)
  
• Programme: Over fifteen concerts and a variety of shows, lectures, events, a popular banquet, brass bands and artistic surprises.
  
• Tickets at:
  • Festival Pass (access to all evenings)
  • Single tickets for each show
  • Reduced rates for young people, the unemployed and families
  • Free for children depending on the show
    
• Accessibility:
  • Many free offers
  • Sites and areas adapted for people with reduced mobility
  • Parking and shuttle buses available on concert evenings
    
• Accommodation: Numerous gîtes, B&Bs and campsites in the region. Booking recommended.
  
• Catering: Banquet under the stars and on-site catering (stands, food trucks, local produce).
  
• Volunteering / Support: You can become a volunteer or sponsor by contacting the Jean Ferrat Culture et Chansons association.

For full details of times, the full list of guest artists, how to book and the programme of preludes outside the walls, visit the official festival website or contact thelocal tourist office (Ardèche Secrète).

Where is Antraigues?

Map showing the location of the commune of Vallée-d’Asperjoc-Antraigues:

How to get to Antraigues in Ardèche