barques en scène

An atmosphere unique in the heart of Narbonne

Born in 2014 to a municipal desire to energize the city center at the end of the summer season, the Festival des Barques en Scène has evolved considerably to become a major event attracting nearly 50,000 festival-goers. Its hybrid concept, combining heritage and modernity, music and gastronomy, makes it a total celebration of the Mediterranean art of living.

The magic of the festival lies in its exceptional setting: La Promenade des Barques, a historic artery bordered by hundred -year -old plane trees, offers a naturedecor to the festivities. Each evening, from 6 p.m., the space comes alive with around twenty bodegas offering local and international culinary specialties, creating a friendly atmosphere in which inhabitants and visitors from all walks of life.

An eclectic and free programming

One of the major assets of the Barques en Scène festival is its entirely free artistic program. Each edition offers a skillfully orchestrated mixture between:

• Large concerts on the main stage of the Mirabeau course, with national and international artists. Previous editions have welcomed headliners like Patrick Fiori, IAM, Joyce Jonathan, Pierre de Maere or Patrick Sébastien, testifying to the musical diversity of the event.

• Theatrical wanderings which transform the streets of the historic center into ephemeral scenic spaces. These itinerant shows, often visually spectacular, invite you to rediscover the Narbonne architectural heritage from a poetic and festive angle.

• Family activities during the day, with creative workshops, initiation to circus arts and interactive performance adapted to the youngest.

The significant artists who made the history of the festival

Throughout the editions, the Festival des Barques en Scène welcomed exceptional artists who have helped to forge its reputation and its eclectic musical identity. Back on the performances that marked the Memoirs of Festival -goers.

Memorable headliners

Bernard Lavilliers offered a masterful fence during the 2023 edition, presenting his album O'Gringo in an electric atmosphere. The singer with a rocky voice alternated brilliantly between his cult titles like Stand The Ghetto and his new compositions with more acoustic sounds, transporting the public in a musical journey between social commitment and urban poetry.

The same year, Claudio Capéo electrified the promenade of the boats with the songs from his album Rose of the winds . The unique stamp accordionist deployed a charismatic scenic presence which immediately created an authentic connection with the Narbonne public, transforming the Mirabeau course into an immense open dance floor.

In 2024, Patrick Fiori established himself as a real ambassador for Mediterranean melodies. His concert, imbued with humanism and generosity, has succeeded in the tour de force to bring together all generations around a repertoire combining his personal successes and vibrant tributes to the songs of the Mediterranean basin.

Emerging revelations and talents

The festival has also been able to spot and highlight artists in full ascent. In 2024, the Belgian Pierre de Maere , revealed by his single one day I will marry an angel , conquered the Narbonne scene thanks to his bewitching voice and his poetic universe at the borders of pop and electro. His performance, mixing apparent fragility and impressive scenic mastery, left a lasting imprint in the recent history of the festival.

During the same edition, the Swiss artist colorless night closed the festivities with a set with melancholy atmosphere tinged with electro. His sensitivity on edge and his introspective compositions have created a moment of intimate communion, proving that the festival also knows how to celebrate more contained emotions and alternative musical universes.

The festival also gives pride of place to local talents, as evidenced by the remarkable performance of the Narbonnais Isaac Spotman in 2023. His energetic rock and his daring guitar game opened the festivities with communicative energy, demonstrating the vitality of the Audoise music scene.

Historical performances and cult moments

Certain evenings remain engraved in the collective memory of festival -goers. In 2023 Ridsa literally ignited the promenade of the boats with his Santa Maria (platinum certified). His performance, mixing reggaeton and Afro sounds, transformed the historic heart of Narbonne into a giant tropical dancefloor.

The 2022 edition marked a turning point with the arrival of the legendary IAM . The pioneers of French hip-hop delivered an anthology concert, revisiting their classics as I dance the Mia in front of a record crowd. This historical moment symbolizes the growing ambition of the festival and its ability to attract emblematic artists.

The same year, Tryo proposed a concert as committed as it is festive, bringing together families and environmental activists around generational tubes as sorry for last night . Their communicative energy and their positive messages have perfectly embodied the friendly and unifying spirit of the festival.

Spectacular artistic wanderings

Beyond the concerts, the theatrical wanderings constitute the unique DNA of the Festival des Barques en Scène . The company Planète Steam was particularly illustrated by creating magical moments like Celestia Fantasia in 2024, with its impressive giant blue bird overlooking the crowd.

The same company marked the spirits with steam rock (2024), a performance mixing steampunk machines and frenzied rhythms, or Elephantasia (2022), a dreamlike parade of mechanical elephants which transformed the streets of Narbonne into an open fantastic theater.

These artists with varied universes have gradually shaped the identity of the Festival des Barques en Scène, positioning it as an eclectic musical meeting capable of combining popular success, avant-garde discoveries and promotion of local talents.

A festival anchored in local history

Over the years, the Festival of Barques en Scène has established itself as a real reflection of Narbonne identity. The promenade of the boats, an emblematic place which takes its name from the boats which formerly accosted there to unload their goods, becomes for three days the beating heart of the city.

Each edition pays tribute, in its own way, to the cultural heritage of Narbonne while inscribing it in a contemporary dynamic. The themes of wanderings often inspire the rich Roman past of the city, its medieval heritage or its wine tradition, thus creating a bridge between history and current creation.

The essentials of the 2025 edition

For its 12th edition to be held from August 21 to 23, 2025, the Festival des Barques en Scène still promises great surprises. If artistic programming remains to be unveiled, the organizers have already confirmed the presence of 20 bodegas selected for their culinary creativity and their ability to animate evenings until midnight.

After the resounding successes of Bernard Lavilliers and Claudio Capéo in 2023, followed by Patrick Fiori and Pierre de Maere in 2024, the wait is great regarding the headliners of this new edition. The festival having now proven its ability to attract renowned artists while defending the emergence of new talents, rumors are going well on 2025 programming.

The expected new features include:

• Cross -border collaborations with Catalan and Spanish artists, in line with cultural exchanges initiated during previous editions
• The integration of innovative technologies such as video mapping on historical facades, inspired by spectacular visual performances like Celeste Fantasia which had amazed the public in 2024
• A strengthening of eco -responsible initiatives (reusable cups, optimized waste management)
• A gastronomic course highlighting local producers of Aude
• A discovery scene dedicated to emerging Narbonne talents, continuing the tradition of accompaniment of local artists like Isaac Spotman

Where to stay to take full advantage of the festival?

To intensely live these three days of festivities while enjoying optimal comfort, the choice of your accommodation is crucial. Two exceptional addresses are distinguished by their privileged location and their high -end services: