Ode to early music
In a region with a long history, and where some of France's greatest figures have passed through, early music is regularly in the spotlight. On the one hand, there are the usual festivals, and on the other, musical events to celebrate the anniversary of a château or religious monument. Guitars, harpsichords, recorders and transverse flutes, lyrical songs, choirs, violins, cellos and orchestras parade across the stages of the Loire Valley, offering a gentle journey back in time. In Touraine, for example, there's the La Grange de Meslay festival. The beauty of the barn, built in the 12th century and adjoining Marmoutier Abbey, caught the eye of Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who decided to make it a venue for concerts. And so it is that, in June, many artists join the monument on the banks of the Loire to play such essential repertoires as those of Chopin, Bach, Mozart and Schubert. Also in Touraine, in autumn, early music invades some of Tours' most beautiful monuments for the Concerts d'Automne. In Lloris, Loiret, home to one of France's oldest organs, the Festival d'Orgue et de Musique Ancienne de Lloris has seen some great names perform. And in abbeys, churches and other castles, the setting is ideal for baroque and early music concerts. In spring, the Festival de Sully et du Loiret is an event not to be missed by those who, like the organizers of many early music festivals, believe that the richness of our heritage is the perfect backdrop for a few elegant, timeless notes. Musicalies en Sologne in Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre offers traditional music and musical walks. And then there's opera. Lovers of the genre have plenty to look forward to in the region, with venues such as La Fabrique Opéra Val de Loire in Orléans, the Tours opera house and Angers-Nantes Opéra - a joint venture between Angers' Grand Théâtre and Nantes' Théâtre Graslin - offering a rich program. We (re)discover Verdi's La Traviata , Offenbach's La Vie Parisienne, the French and Italian repertoires... The program is dense and varied.
The magic of sound and light
In the enchanting setting of the châteaux of the Loire Valley, summer gives way to shows that attract large crowds: the illumination, sounds and images of a heritage that takes on a whole new dimension. The region's "son et lumière" shows are a must-see cultural event for young and old alike. Some tell stories and take the form of open-air theatrical performances accompanied by music, while others see monuments covered in twinkling lights and accompanied by a variety of sounds. For example, the Son et Lumière at the Château royal de Blois , Ainsi Blois vous est conté, recounts the history of the building through visual effects projected onto the monument's facade, all accompanied by sound effects that make the moment even more exceptional. At the Château Royal d'Amboise, La Prophétie d'Amboise gives way to Amboise destinées royales for a moment out of time, with a dizzying array of lights, sounds, images and extras. The result is a multi-sensory arena, where modern technologies enable the creation of intoxicating spectacles. We'll be keeping a close eye on the program, because while some shows are repeated year after year, as a result of their growing success, there's no shortage of initiatives in the region inviting crowds to discover the heritage of the Loire Valley in a different dimension.
Current music well established
Contemporary music is defined as music that uses amplifiers. It can also be referred to as amplified music. The practice of this music is generally forbidden on the public highway, and concerts are held in dedicated venues, with the exception of open-air festivals and the Fête de la Musique. To take advantage of the current music scene in the Loire Valley, there are four major venues. These are the Astrolabe in Orléans, the Châto'do in Blois, the Temps Machine in Joué-lès-Tours and the Chabada in Angers. In these venues, where the architecture is sometimes quite audacious, concerts are held throughout the year. These stages are often referred to as rock, but in reality the term refers to a multitude of styles and influences. Pop rock, electro rock, indie pop and French chanson are just some of the sounds to be heard. There are shows by groups who are starting to make a name for themselves in France, and even internationally, as well as emerging local acts. Indeed, music halls are designed to put the spotlight on local artists, serving as a springboard for their careers. In fact, music venues in the Loire Valley are much more than just concert halls, they also offer support to musicians by renting out rehearsal space, offering training courses and workshops, and providing creative support. The Centre-Val de Loire region is also home to the Pôle Région Centre-Val de Loire - Musiques Actuelles (FRACA-MA), with a team working in five key areas: structuring the sector, information and resources, transmission, production and distribution, identification and support.
Contemporary music can also be heard at the festivals that flourish in the summer months. And the good thing is, they're not just held in major metropolises. They can also be found in rural communities or near prestigious monuments, such as the Terres du Son festival in the Domaine de Candé in Indre-et-Loire. If you want to listen to punk, rock, hip-hop, electro, chanson française or world music along the Loire, you're spoilt for choice during the festival season. These include Cocorico Électro in La Ferté-Saint-Aubin, Hop Hop Hop in Orléans, Strange Festival in Châtillon-sur-Loire, Aucard de Tours in Tours, Yzeures'N'Rock in Yzeures-sur-Creuse, Avoine Zone Groove in Avoine and the Track'N'Art Festival in Doué-la-Fontaine. Large venues and festivals aren't the only ones to play host to contemporary music artists, and in towns and villages, many bars are happy to set up their own cultural programs to support the local scene. Finally, the Loire Valley is also home to some of the biggest names in French and international chanson. These include venues such as the Aréna Loire in Trélazé, near Angers, and the Palais des Congrès in Tours, as well as events such as the American Tours Festival and the Festival de Trélazé.
Focus on theatre and dance
Theater is also in the spotlight all year round, with some notable venues. Whether you want to see a major play touring all over France, with well-known actors and actresses, or a smaller production, there's no shortage of venues. The Scène Nationale d'Orléans, the Halle aux Grains in Blois, the Centre Dramatique National de Tours and the Grand Théâtre d'Angers all offer excellent programs. Nor should we forget to mention small local theaters, such as the Théâtre du Rossignolet in Loches and the Petit Théâtre de Pouancé in Anjou, places that bring theater to life as close as possible to audiences farthest from the towns, even if the latter remain easily accessible. At certain times of the year, theater also takes to the streets, with Les Années Joué in Joué-lès-Tours in June and the Accroche-Coeurs festival in Angers in September. Every year, companies invade the streets of these two towns, offering free shows to local residents and visitors alike. The city is then the setting for a great celebration.
The Loire Valley and the seventh art
Cinema is not forgotten in the Loire Valley, and there are a multitude of facilities dedicated to the 7th art, in major cities and smaller towns alike. Indeed, it's important for towns like Vendôme, Châteaudun, Loches, Issoudun and Beaupréau-en-Mauges to offer their residents the chance to see the latest productions on the big screen. But beyond the big French and international productions, the region also boasts a prestigious arthouse cinema in Tours. Cinémas Studio is Europe's largest independent arthouse complex, equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. What sets it apart is its programming, which differs from many other venues in the region. Films from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America can be seen. Films are shown in their original version with subtitles, and several festivals are held here throughout the year, such as Désir... Désirs festival, dedicated to LGBT cinema.
The region also regularly plays host to film crews. Since the last century, the towns and villages of the Loire Valley have served as the backdrop for numerous films and TV series. For example, several scenes from the musical Peau d'Âne starring Catherine Deneuve were shot at the Château de Chambord. Orléans-born Erick Zonca set up his cameras in the town hall area of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps to shoot scenes from La Vie rêvée des anges, starring Élodie Bouchez and Natacha Renier. Nicolas Vanier's L'École buissonnière is set in the wonderful landscapes of Sologne.
