Les Nuits Guitares, the annual music festival in Beaulieu-sur-mer, returns this July for more finger-picking fun!

July on the French Riviera is all about jazz, but every year the city of Beaulieu-sur-Mer likes to stand out from its neighbours by celebrating the wonderful instrument that is the guitar with Les Nuits Guitares, a festival that has attracted many of the finest players from across the world. Stephan Eicher, Patrick Bruel, Calvin Russell, Buena Vista Social Club, Joe Satriani, John Butler … since its creation in 2000, the programme has always been eclectic, and very international.

The upcoming 16th edition of Les Nuits Guitares will be no different, with a line-up that should appeal to almost any local music fan. Serbian director and winner of two Palme d’Or in Cannes, Emir Kusturica, will kick off the festivities on Thursday, 21st of July. Reuniting with his group, The No Smoking Orchestra, the cult filmmaker makes his comeback to the music scene with the soundtrack of his upcoming movie Love and Peace (starring Monica Belluci), which combines the influences of both rock and Balkan and gypsy cultures.

The following evening we have enigmatic French singer Christophe, who has been topping the charts for months with his latest album Les vestiges du chaos. At 70, the artist is nothing short of a pop legend in his native country. His rich and poetic repertoire, which spans more than five decades, includes beautifully crafted hits such as Aline, Les Marionnettes and Les Mots Bleus.

The final night belongs to singer and jazz guitarist Thomas Dutronc, son of the much beloved artist Françoise Hardy and musician/actor Jacques Dutronc. With the release of his three albums, Comme un manouche sans guitar,  Silence on tourne, on tourne en rond and Eternels jusqu’à demain, the young man has successfully managed to make a name for himself in a relatively short space of time, to become one of the leading figures of gypsy jazz.

So, this summer, if you are looking for an alternative to the hugely popular jazz festivals of Nice and Antibes/Juan-les-Pins, look no further. Held among olive trees in the spectacular setting of the delightful Jardin de l’Olivaie, Les Nuits Guitares promise three great nights of music for all guitar aficionados from near and far.

Les Nuits Guitares takes place from Thursday 21st, to Saturday 23rd of July in the Jardin de l’Olivaie in Beaulieu. Tickets can be bought in all usual outlets, and may also be reserved online. Single day tickets cost from €26.20 and a three-day pass is also available, costing €61.54

CONTACT DETAILS
Les Nuits Guitares
Le Jardin de l’Olivaie
Rue Jean Bracco
06310 Beaulieu-sur-mer

All images courtesy Les Nuits Guitares