Traditional Norman music, a little-known heritage
Unlike its Breton cousin, where it is a genuine cultural heritage with a strong identity, traditional music from the Normandy region is much less well known. Seafaring songs are often at the heart of these compositions, which have survived the centuries, but not only. Local history and adventures are an inexhaustible source of inspiration, and have given rise to some great laments. The violin, the loure (a Norman wind instrument belonging to the bagpipe family) and accordions are some of the instruments of choice for these compositions. They were, as was the custom at the time, accompanied by dance steps, but these have unfortunately been lost over time. A number of local groups and associations are trying to revive and pass on to the public a little of this Norman cultural identity. Based in Vire, the association La Loure, musiques et traditions orales de Normandie, aims to bring local musical culture out of the woodwork by organizing themed concerts and workshops. It's worth noting that the Channel Islands are also part of the traditional music of Normandy. French has not been the dominant language since the mid-twentieth century, but traditional songs still use it through the local dialects of Jersiais and Guernesiais, as well as the Norman language, now classified as seriously endangered by Unesco.
Normandy, land of festivals
Every self-respecting music lover will find something here to satisfy his or her insatiable musical appetite. Rock, world music, pop, electro... diversity is the order of the day, and the summer season lends itself perfectly to the success of these events, which each year emerge stronger and stronger from their ever-growing success. Some of the biggest names in music are now headlining these Normandy events, which have carved out a place for themselves on the national and international music scene. Here's a roundup of the not-to-be-missed festivals!
With over 100,000 people gathered in the park of the Château d'Hérouville-Saint-Clair, the Beauregard festival, created nearly fifteen years ago, has rapidly carved out a place for itself among France's major musical events. Every1st weekend in July, audiences flock to this magnificent Calvados site to enjoy a line-up of headliners one after the other. From Julien Doré and Sting to Jain, Lenny Kravitz, Placebo and Etienne de Crécy, there's something for everyone. A chic festival, Beauregard also puts Norman gastronomy in the spotlight with culinary stands where you can sample oysters while enjoying the artists... class! Last but not least, it's impossible not to mention Orelsan from Caen, one of the leading artists on the French urban scene, who makes the festival his home.
The 2024 edition of the Jazz sous les pommiers festival also promises to be grandiose: organized in Coutances, in the Manche department, the event is a veritable institution, with internationally renowned artists crowding the stage. It has to be said that this festival is a benchmark in the world of jazz. For ten days in May, music fills the concert halls, of course, but also the bars and streets. Goran Bregovic, Eric Bibb, Thomas Dutronc and Fatoumata Diawara have all performed their own compositions in recent years.
With Les Papillons de nuit, the small village of Saint-Laurent-de-Cuves in the heart of La Manche is transformed each year (this year from May 17 to 19) into a giant city of 75,000 festival-goers. A relaxed, family atmosphere reigns over the weekend at this "biggest festival in France in the smallest venue". Young and old alike will find something to feast their eyes and ears on. From Maitre Gims to Izia, Kendji Girac to The Avener, diversity is the hallmark of this major annual event.
A change of setting and atmosphere: Tatihou. This small island opposite Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is accessible at low tide, hence the name given to the event organized in August: Les Traversées de Tatihou. Here, music from the open sea resonates. The line-up includes bands from Ireland, Scotland, France, Finland and Portugal. The organizers' only requirement for the line-up is that they must hail from a country with a maritime border. The ten-day event is original and the atmosphere unique. All the more so as the groups perform at special times, which are determined by the amplitude of the tides!
Fancy a trip to world music? Head for Seine-Maritime. Every year, the Moz'aïque festival brings Le Havre to life in mid-July. On the lovely site of the Jardins suspendus, rock, jazz, soul, reggae, world music and even classical music resonate for 5 days. Popa Chubby, the late Manu Dibango and Kyle Eastwood are just some of the big names who have thrilled festival-goers in recent years.
In the majestic setting of its world-famous cliffs, Etretat hosts the Hello Birds festival. Every year in early July (this year from 6th to 8th), the organizers invite you to "a sea-pop escapade in Normandy" with open-air concerts and DJ sets. Discovering the Côte d'Albâtre and the local gastronomy are just as important as the musical program. An added bonus: most of the festival is free, and that's rare enough to be worth mentioning.
Far from the coast, the Art Sonic festival welcomes festival-goers to the heart of Normandy's Suisse region for a varied musical interlude! In mid-July, the village of Briouze is transformed to welcome over 20,000 people. A warm and friendly atmosphere is the order of the day. On both stages, young local and non-local groups share the bill with big-name acts such as Jain and Shaka Ponk.
Cabourg isn't just about movies, it's also about beautiful melodies! The Cap beach plays host to numerous artists as part of the Cabourg, mon amour festival. For three days, on the last weekend of June, let yourself be rocked by the musical waves prepared by the organizers. Clara Luciani, Angèle, Fishbach and L'Impératrice got festival-goers singing and dancing. Pop and electro are all the rage, so let yourself be tempted!
This list is not exhaustive. Other festivals such as Chauffer dans la noirceur in the Manche or Rock in Evreux in the Eure are also well worth a visit. And that's not counting the other lesser-attended but equally high-quality events organized in each département. Don't hesitate to find out more when planning your stay.
It's also worth noting that the region's musical program shines all year round, thanks in particular to its network of contemporary music venues. Le Cargö in Caen, Big Band Café in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, l'Agora in Cherbourg, le Tétris in Le Havre and la Luciole in Alençon all contribute to the region's reputation in this field. And all year round, they offer visitors the chance to share great moments of emotion. We encourage you to visit their websites and discover the little nuggets in their programming.
Classical ambience
Classical music also has its place in Normandy. The region boasts several festivals that are sure to please. Poetic and musical, the Festival International de Musique du Sud de l'Eure already has 15 editions and over 100 concerts to its credit. Orchestras and ensembles, solo musicians and actors are the main ingredients of this event, which has established itself on the cultural and musical landscape. In Rouen, the Les Musicales de Normandie festival offers around thirty concerts during the summer season. These events take place in local heritage sites as far afield as the Seine Valley, Fécamp or Varengeville-sur-Mer. Thanks to our guest artists, arias by Schubert, Berlioz and Handel can be heard throughout Normandy.
Other events await you throughout the region. Head for Lessay Abbey for Les Heures musicales (Manche), the Musique d'août festival in Deauville (Calvados) or the Septembre musical de l'Orne: music lovers will have plenty to enjoy!
Original soundtrack
Music is inseparable from cinema and cinema is inseparable from Normandy. It is not for nothing that the 7th art is honored here through two major festivals: the American film festival of Deauville, the romantic film festival of Cabourg. And a third one, certainly less famous, the Russian film festival of Honfleur. If it is less known by the general public at the national level, it is nevertheless the most important French event dedicated to Soviet feature films.
From the coastline to the green countryside and its large urban centers, the diversity of Normandy's landscapes inspires filmmakers. Normandy is a choice setting for many films. We can mention the famous Quai des Brumes which reunites the mythical couple Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan in Le Havre, Les parapluies de Cherbourg directed by Jacques Demy and which takes place in the famous city of Manche, Les Misérables by Claude Lelouch directed in Villers-sur-Mer, Jeanne d'Arc by Luc Besson filmed in Orne, Le Goût des autres by Agnès Jaoui, whose plot takes place in Rouen, or La Famille Bélier filmed in Domfront-en-Poiraie.
