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URBAN GUIDE

Looking for good ideas and places? With exhibitions, festivals, concerts, shops, capsule collections, restaurants, bars and more, our Urban Guide pages tell you what's on and what's just opened on the Côte d’Azur. A great way to discover all the richness and diversity of the Côte d'Azur's culture, shopping, food and drink, from Saint-Tropez to Monaco. Local creators also have their say in these pages.

July 2022
  • On part du côté des rendez-vous musicaux pour des soirées de jazz, pop, rap, musique classique avec sur scène de grandes voix et des virtuoses de leur instrument. À chaque événement son public, son ambiance.

Music on the French Riviera

This season’s music festivals serve up jazz, pop, rap, and classical music, performed by outstanding singers and virtuoso musicians. Each event has a dedicated audience and a distinct atmosphere.

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Cécile McLorin Salvant, la nouvelle reine du jazz. ©Shawn Michael Jones

Jazz à Juan

“When you step onto this stage, you’re following in the footsteps of giants,” says British guitarist John McLaughlin of the Pinède Gould. Over the years this legendary venue has continued to attract renowned artists for Jazz à Juan, the oldest jazz festival in Europe. The event is punctuated by the Marching Bands, Jammin’ Summer Sessions that showcase talented young artists, and the Victoires du Jazz, a free show that can be booked on the festival website.

George Benson, Paul Anka, Snarky Puppy, John Legend, Trombone Shorty, Chucho Valdes & Paquito D’Rivera Reunion Sextet, Stacey Kent, Thomas de Pourquery & Supersonic, Gilberto Gil & Family, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Let’s Celebrate Gospel…

jazzajuan.com

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La chanteuse H.E.R., dont l’acronyme signifie Having Everything Revealed.

Nice Jazz Festival

With capacity limits lifted, this major musical event is back on, presenting concerts on two stages, in Place Massena and the Théâtre de Verdure. Its open-minded concept of jazz means it is open to all kinds of music. This year sees fifteen bands perform over five consecutive evenings, from jazz legends to gifted new artists.

H.E.R, Iggy Pop, Clara Luciani, Melody Gardot, Ibrahim Maalouf, Marcus Miller, Parcels Celeste, Fatoumata Diawara, Avishai Cohen Trio, Youn Sun Nah, Deluxe, Michel Portal, Cimafunk, Lous and the Yakuza, Lady Blackbird, Curtis Harding, Kenny Barron Trio, Christian McBride, Anne Paceo…

nicejazzfestival.fr

Danaus Festival Tourrette-Levens

This militant new festival has adopted an environmentally conscious stance. Named after a large migratory butterfly, it is home – amongst other things – to a village of local artists, and in the evening buzzes with jazz improvisation, body percussion and polyphonic songs, all performed high on the hill overlooking the Baie des Anges.

Thierry Eliez & Strings avec Ceilin Poggi, Les Humanophones, Tapir Quartet 

 tourrette-levens.fr

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Christina Aguilera ©DR
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Le pianiste, improvisateur et organiste Thierry Eliez. © Aurore Doudoux

Monte-CarloSporting. Summer Festival

Aimed at an international audience, the Monegasque festival brings together regular stars and newcomers. There are three venues to choose from, each with its own unique atmosphere: the Salle des Étoiles, the Opéra Garnier and Place du Casino for open-air concerts. The 2022 edition presents a host of iconic names, and welcomes back a number of Anglophone artists who have been absent for two years. Hot tickets include the Fight Aids and Nuit de l’Orient evenings.

Pink Martini, Imany, Alicia Keys, Queen Machine Symphonic, Blakc Eyed Peas, James Blunt, Christina Aguilera, Rita Ora, Simple Minds, Gianna Nannini, Myriam Fares…

montecarlolive.com

 

Concert au Palais Princier de Monaco

The summer series of concerts take place in the Cour d’Honneur at the foot of a monumental double staircase, and are performed by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo in the company of great singers and world-renowned instrumentalists. The event, which keeps its finger on the pulse of the latest trends, offers a fresh, dynamic programme featuring virtuoso pianists and violin players. An experience of the highest level.

Kazuki Yamada, Alexandre Kantorow, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Dalia Stasevska, Jan Lisiecki, Juraj Valuha, Vilde Frang, Jaap Van Zweden, Beatric Rana, Jérémie Rhorer, Martin Helmchen…

opmc.mc

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Le pianiste canadien Jan Lisiecki. Deutsche Grammophon. © Christoph Köstlin
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L’étoile malienne Oumou Sangaré © DR

Nuits du Sud Vence

From Beat Box world champions to music from Mali, the Caribbean and the Balkans, the Nuits du Sud festival creates a party atmosphere for the whole family. Eight nights of good vibes are accompanied by daytime fringe events such as improvised music and dance performances. Not forgetting the pétanque Saturdays with electronic DJs and concerts in the town’s hotels.

Lass, Bob Sinclar B2B Pedro Winter, Bonga, Camelia Jordana, Berywam, Oumou Sangaré, La Yegros, Gnawa Diffusion, Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul, Benjamin Biolay, Delgres, Lilly Wood & the Prick, Groundation, l’Entourloop, General Elektriks, Emir Kusturica…

nuitsdusud.com

GrimaldinesPort Grimaud

The festival kicks off with free street entertainment provided by five or six groups of circus performers, dancers and musicians, who perform highly visual acts either in one spot or on the move. The evenings culminate at the château with live concerts of world music.

Mulatason, Julien Loko Irish Band, Fatoumata Diawara, Macha Gharibian…

les-grimaldines.com

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IAM, le groupe de hip-hop culte originaire de Marseille. © Didier D Daarwin

Crossover Nice

Held at the end of the season in the Théâtre de Verdure, Crossover festival is a great way to extend the summer. With 20,000 sqm of dance floor, the event presents four nights of hip-hop, pop, rap and electronic music, with at least three artists per evening ensuring concert goers get their musical fill. The eclectic programme means you can come to see a favourite artist and discover many more.

AM, Laeti, Fanny Polly, Killian Alaari, Boris Brejcha, Ann Clue, Healing Noises, Laylow, Josman, Chilla, L’impératrice, NTO, Suzane…

festival-crossover.com

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Le collectif musical français électro Bon Entendeur. © Romain Rigal

Plages électroniques Cannes

There are the old-timers who have been coming to the Plages for 15 years and the younger crowd who flock here to see the hottest acts. More than 60 artists are on the bill, covering all tastes, from mainstream electronic radio-friendly pop to ultra-edgy bands of the moment. With up to 18,000 festival-goers per night, its party time on the beach, and for those who want a breather, there are the Croisières Électroniques series, two concerts per day held either in the bay or on the rooftop solarium stage. Other activities include kayaking, sampling and yoga in the Zen zone.

Andy 4000, Anfisa Letyago, Artbat, Banga, Bords of Mind, Bon Entendeur, Boris Way, Camion Bazar B2B, Charlotte de Witte, Claire Breilly, Cut Killer, Damso, David Guetta, DJ Lag, Feder, FL ! M, Folamour, Giorgia Angiuli, Header, J9UEVE, Jwles, KAS : ST, Kiddy Smile, Kungs…

plages-electroniques.com

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Les Nuits Guitares. Beaulieu-sur-mer

Dance barefoot on the grass for three nights in the midst of the glittering lights strung between the olive trees at this festival, which showcases guitar music, soul and vibrant French variety music. Additional activities include a pétanque competition, film screenings and brunches on the beach of Baïa Bella.

Christophe Maé, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Selah Sur, MLN-HEADZ, Carlos Lopes, Seb Machado, Afroman Radio…

lesnuitsguitares.com

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