What to Do in Clermont-Ferrand During the Fête de la Musique and Europavox 2026?

The Fête de la Musique takes place on 21 June 2026 in Clermont-Ferrand, in the streets of the historic centre. A few days later, from 26 to 28 June 2026, the city hosts the 20th edition of the Europavox festival on the Place du 1er Mai — with a line-up bringing together Bigflo & Oli, Charlotte Cardin, Benjamin Biolay, Pomme and around ten other European artists. For nearly ten days, Clermont-Ferrand becomes one of the musical capitals of the French summer. This practical guide is designed for travellers looking to plan a cultural stay at the best possible time.

Why is Clermont-Ferrand a Must-Visit Musical Destination in June?

Long known for its volcanic heritage, Clermont-Ferrand has been revealing a particularly vibrant cultural identity in recent years. Its compact historic centre, concert venues and festivals make it an increasingly sought-after destination for music lovers and fans of contemporary creation.

The Fête de la Musique 2026: the Spirit of the Origins

The first Fête de la Musique took place on 21 June 1982, on the initiative of Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, and Maurice Fleuret, Director of Music and Dance at the ministry. The ambition: to bring into the streets the five million French people who played an instrument. The slogan that has accompanied the event ever since — "Faites de la musique, Fête de la musique" — still captures its spirit today.

In Clermont-Ferrand, the 2026 edition preserves this original format, dedicated to amateur musicians and spontaneous initiatives. Stages spring up freely in the streets, bars, courtyards and squares. Around the Place de Jaude, the Rue des Gras and the neighbourhoods close to the cathedral, passers-by move from one musical world to another: jazz, electronic music, French chanson, indie rock, world music. Entry is free everywhere.

Europavox 2026: 20 Years of a European Festival

Created to champion European musical diversity, Europavox celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. The 2026 edition runs from 26 to 28 June on the Place du 1er Mai, with the site opening at 4pm each day.

The confirmed line-up includes:

Friday 26 June: Théodora, Pomme, L2B, Folie's, Asfar Shamsi

Saturday 27 June: Charlotte Cardin, Disiz, Trinix, Ghinzu, Sprints, Copycat

Sunday 28 June: Bigflo & Oli, Benjamin Biolay, Deluxe, Danyl, Altın Gün, Bonne Nuit

Tickets:

1-day pass: €54 (reduced rate: €44)

2-day pass: €94 (reduced rate: €84)

3-day pass: €134 (reduced rate: €124)

"Tout Europavox" pass (3 days at Place du 1er Mai + evening at Stade Marcel-Michelin): €174

On the sidelines of the festival, the Black Eyed Peas will perform an exceptional concert at the Stade Marcel-Michelin on 4 July 2026.

What You Can Do in Clermont-Ferrand During the Festivities

Strolling Between Concerts and Heritage

One of Clermont-Ferrand's greatest assets is its human scale: everything can be explored on foot. On late June mornings, before the bustle of the evenings, the city takes on an almost southern gentleness. From the historic centre, just a few minutes are enough to reach:

the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built from Volvic stone, whose dark hue is unique in France; the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Auvergnat Romanesque art; the alleyways around the Place de la Victoire; the panoramic views over the Chaîne des Puys, just a few kilometres from the centre.

A Few Addresses to Complete Your Stay

For meals before or after the concerts, Clermont-Ferrand offers a range of serious tables in the city centre.

Apicius, on the Place du Marché Saint-Pierre, is the gastronomic restaurant of chef Arkadiusz Zuchmanski, awarded 1 Michelin star since 2010. The cuisine celebrates the Auvergne terroir in a pared-back setting with raw metal walls, and a tree-lined terrace in fine weather.

Le 1513, on the Place de la Victoire, rated 4.9/5 on Google, offers French bistronomic cuisine in a warm setting, a stone's throw from the historic centre.

Le Bistrot d'à Côté, in a pedestrian street adjoining the Place de Jaude, serves bistronomic cuisine from an open kitchen in an intimate, softly lit atmosphere.

For an exceptional gastronomic table outside the city centre, Le Pré — Xavier Beaudiment holds two Michelin stars. The chef celebrates local produce through instinctive and poetic cuisine, crafted with some 200 plants and wild herbs gathered at the foot of the volcanoes.

A City Made for Culture Lovers

Clermont-Ferrand has a particular relationship with the arts and literature. It is no coincidence that the Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte found its home here. The writer Alexandre Vialatte, celebrated for his some 900 chronicles published in the newspaper La Montagne, is intimately linked to the city. He devoted an entire collection to it, L'Auvergne absolue, in which he describes the Place Delille — the very square where the hotel stands — as "une place ombragée de platanes au cœur même de Clermont-Ferrand."

Practical Information for Europavox 2026

Getting to the Site: Place du 1er Mai, reachable on foot from the city centre (approximately 10 to 12 minutes from the Place Delille) or by tram from the Delille-Montlosier stop, 50 metres from the Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte.

Practical Tips: Book accommodation and tickets several weeks in advance — the festival regularly sells out. Opt for walking or the tram (parking is limited in the city centre). Make the most of the mornings to explore the city before the stages open at 4pm. Pack light clothing but also a windbreaker for the open-air evenings.

Where to Stay During Europavox and the Fête de la Musique

Choosing the Historic Centre

During this period, the choice of accommodation largely determines the quality of the stay. Staying in the centre of Clermont-Ferrand means reaching the concerts on foot, avoiding parking difficulties, making the most of the evenings and discovering the city early in the morning, before the crowds arrive.

The Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte

Located on the Place Delille, at the foot of the historic centre, the Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte is a 4-star hotel with 62 rooms and one apartment, decorated throughout as a tribute to the Auvergnat writer. Each room is named after a chronicle or a character from Vialatte's work. The hotel features a library of over 500 volumes, a panoramic terrace on the 6th floor with a 180° view over the Puy-de-Dôme and the cathedral spires, and a private underground car park.

The Delille-Montlosier tram stop is 50 metres from the hotel. The SNCF train station is 800 metres away on foot.

After several hours of concerts and activity, returning to a calm, elegant setting deeply rooted in Clermont-Ferrand's cultural identity genuinely transforms the experience of the stay.

Extending the Journey Through the Hôtels Littéraires Collection

For travellers drawn to this way of travelling — more cultural, more intimate, more attuned to place — the Hôtels Littéraires collection offers further addresses across France.

In Paris, the Hôtel Littéraire Le Swann pays homage to Marcel Proust, in the 8th arrondissement. In Rouen, the Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert celebrates the world of Madame Bovary and Salammbô.

Each address develops a singular relationship between travel, heritage and literature — a philosophy that resonates with the spirit of Europavox: discovering Europe through culture.

Discover the rooms 

FAQ — Fête de la Musique and Europavox 2026 in Clermont-Ferrand

When does Europavox 2026 take place? The festival runs from 26 to 28 June 2026 in Clermont-Ferrand, on the Place du 1er Mai. Concerts begin at 4pm each day.

How much do Europavox 2026 tickets cost? 1-day pass from €54, 2-day pass from €94, 3-day pass from €134. Reduced rates are available via the Pass Culture and the Pass Région Jeunes (ages 16-25).

Which artists are on the Europavox 2026 line-up? Confirmed artists include Bigflo & Oli, Charlotte Cardin, Benjamin Biolay, Pomme, Disiz, Deluxe, Théodora, Trinix, Altın Gün and Ghinzu.

When does the Fête de la Musique 2026 take place? The Fête de la Musique takes place on Sunday 21 June 2026. Entry to all concerts is free.

Which hotel should I choose for Europavox in Clermont-Ferrand? Staying in the city centre allows you to reach the festival site on foot or by tram. The Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte, on the Place Delille, is approximately 10-12 minutes on foot from the festival site, with the tram stop 50 metres away.

When was the Fête de la Musique created? The first edition of the Fête de la Musique took place on 21 June 1982, on the initiative of Jack Lang, Minister of Culture, and Maurice Fleuret.

In June, music fills the streets, squares and nights of Clermont-Ferrand. Between the joyful spontaneity of the Fête de la Musique on 21 June and the three days of concerts at Europavox from 26 to 28 June, the city offers one of the richest cultural stays of the French summer. All the more reason to book early — and to choose your base with care.

Sources

Fête de la Musique — official history: https://fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr/actualites/historique-de-la-fete-de-la-musique

INA — The first Fête de la Musique (1982): https://www.ina.fr/ina-eclaire-actu/fete-de-la-musique-chanson-jack-lang-paris

City of Clermont-Ferrand — Fête de la Musique 2026 guidelines: https://clermont-ferrand.fr/fete-de-la-musique-2026-consignes-dinstallation

Europavox — official website: https://www.europavoxfestivals.com/

Europavox — 2026 programme: https://www.europavoxfestivals.com/artistes/

Clermont Auvergne Volcans — Europavox festival 2026: https://www.clermontauvergnevolcans.com/fiches/festival-europavox-2026-20-ans-26-au-28-juin-2026/

La Coopérative de Mai — Black Eyed Peas on 4 July 2026: https://www.lacoope.org/concerts/festival-europavox-black-eyed-peas/

Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte — official website: https://www.hotelvialatte.com/fr/

Société des Hôtels Littéraires — official website: https://www.hotelslitteraires.fr/

 

Written by Léa Geoffray