Music on the French Riviera

It's one of the highlights of the Côte d'Azur season: the string of concerts and stars that boost the summer evenings. It would be hard to list them all. So, everyone can choose their preferred genre here.

Musicales du Trophée I La Turbie

Music lovers and enthusiasts gather every Tuesday in July for classical concerts in front of the imposing Roman remains. While soprano Stéphanie Varnerin sings the poetry of love, Juliette Tacchino's voice whisks the audience away for a Viennese evening. Timeless moments.

Du 2 au 26 juillet | musicalesdutrophee.fr

Les Nuits Guitares I Beaulieu-sur-Mer

What's so special about this musical event? Its pastoral side, with the Jardin de l'Olivaie’s century-old trees and garlands laid out on the foliage guinguette-style. The event, put together by Panda Events and Directo Production, is based on an eclectic selection, with all participating artists (one per date) having one thing in common: the guitar.

Izïa, Dire Straits Legacy, Bernard Lavilliers

6, 7 et 8 juillet | lesnuitsguitares.com

Jazz à Juan 

The Pinède Gould stage, set on the seafront in front of the sunset, has that welcoming feel that keeps the big-name artists performing year after year. So, you can spend the afternoon in Juan-les-Pins and enjoy a drink before your concerts. From Beninese diva Angélique Kidjo to the sensual voice of Melody Gardot, this 62^nd edition is also the perfect opportunity to keep the party going with a ticket for afters on the beach. Samara Joy, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Matthis Pascaud & Hugh Coltman, Joe Bonamassa, Deluxe, Lizz Wright, Ludovico Einaudi, Guy Mintus, Sophie Alour, Brad Mehldau Trio, Sixun, Thomas Dutronc, Cory Wong, Fatoumata Diawara, Youn Sun Nah…

Du 10 au 21 juillet | jazzajuan.com

Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival 

This intergenerational celebration of world of music has been a tradition since 1973. While most live shows are in the Salle des Etoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo, the event is expanding to the Salle Garnier. Nostalgia fans can moonwalk to 1990s rhythms alongside stars such as jovial Mika and Tarkan, Prince of the Bosphorus. What's new this summer? Immersive Billionaire dinner shows with 25 artists.Chris Isaak, Ricky Martin Symphonic, Norah Jones, Seal, The Magic of Michael Jackson, Sting, Robbie Williams, Eros Ramazzotti, Nile Rodgers & Chic

Du 10 juillet au 11 août | montecarlosbm.com

Nice Classic Live

Head to the floral setting of the Cimiez Monastery cloister for more than twenty concerts of classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Besides the great historical composers, this is a great time to hear 20^th- and 21^st-centuries pieces. Plus: a concert reading with Alice Taglioni, a film concert featuring short films by Buster Keaton (at the Nice Conservatoire) and a talk on hypnotic music by Jean-François Heisser.

Bertrand Chamayou, Vanessa Wagner, Elise Bertrand, Martin Matalon, Thierry Muller, Olivier Charlier, Emmanuel Strosser, Bruno Rigutto, Marc Coppey, Xavier Philipps, Les Solistes de Lausanne, Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice, Pierre Bertrand Quartet…

Du 15 juillet au 8 août | niceclassiclive.com

Concerts au Palais Princier I Monaco

This event brings together international soloists and conductors at the foot of the monumental double-revolution staircase in the tradition of concerts initiated by the princes of Monaco in the 18th century. While Rachmaninov, Brahms and Mozart are on the programme, these evenings are also an opportunity to rediscover the instrumental music of Joseph Martin Kraus, nicknamed the 'Swedish Mozart', and a concerto by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a contemporary musician who composed for both film and opera.

Du 16 juillet au 6 août | opmc.mc

Nice Jazz Festival

Each year, this major event celebrates jazz in Nice as it did in its early days, but its horizons are now much broader with a highly eclectic programme. If you're a fan of jazzy soul, head for Théâtre de Verdure, and if you're a fan of contemporary music, Place Massena is the place to be. This year's line-up includes big names such as -M-, Juliette Armanet and Sir Tom Jones, plus a host of new talents. 

Laurent Coulondre, Adi Oasis, Gabriels, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Ludovic Louis, Yuri Buenaventura & Roberto Fonseca, Emile Londonien, Hyphen Hyphen, Génération Django, Superblue, Gogo Penguin, Jalen Ngonda, Herbie Hancock, Julius Rodriguez, Dianne Reeves, Olivia Dean, Tower of Power…

Du 18 au 21 juillet | nicejazzfestival.fr

Nuits du Sud I Vence

With prices on the rise everywhere, this family festival presents an edition that's 100% free, intending to increase the number of opportunities for sharing moments and musical discoveries. Nuits du Sud – La Parenthèse pulsates with four concerts each evening featuring reggae-dub, hip-hop, world music, Afro, and electro. Plus: film screenings on biodiversity in the afternoon and chill-out music breaks from 7 pm with games for children.

Mas Kit, Mariaa Siga, Brain Damage, Manudigital, Jude Todd, Adrï, Alligatorz, Pfel & Greem (C2C)

28 et 29 juillet | nuitsdusud.com 

Danaus Festival I Tourrette-Levens

This festive family event is back at the Château de Tourrette-Levens with a second edition featuring poetic performances, fun workshops and concerts. The Plooc's Ploc's duo will be back, along with Leïla Martial, Muriel Grossmann and other passionate artists. A new feature will be a music market where music lovers can sell, buy or barter their instruments.

Du 3 au 6 août | tourrette-levens.fr

Festival de Musiquede Menton

This 74^th edition is more concentrated, with seven concerts on the Parvis de la Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange – a Baroque jewel in the old town – and six at the Palais de l'Europe. It will also include a whole programme of after-hours concerts in September to keep the party going. This festival, featuring internationally renowned artists, also serves as a springboard for young pianists.Igudesman and Joo, Nikolaï Lugansky, Beatrice Berrut, Lucie Horsch, Aline Piboule, Gautier Capuçon, Raphaëlle Moreau, Jakub Józef Orliński, Théo Ould, Arcadi Volodos, Liya Petrova, Alexandre Kantorow…

Du 25 juillet au 5 août

festival-musique-menton.fr

Les Nuits du Château de la Moutte I Saint-Tropez

If you're looking for a place to listen to piano music under the stars, this château on the Saint-Trop peninsula is the place to go, far from the glitz and glamour. This festival, which brings together virtuosos and great voices, features Vivaldi's Four Seasons alongside Renaud Capuçon. There will be themed workshops for childrens during the day and a conference on the links between music and nature.

The Amazing Keystone Big Band, Adèle Charvet, Marina Monzò, Alexandre Duhamel, Alphonse Cemin, Daniel Lozakovich, Jodie Devos, Bertrand Chamayou, Anna Egholm, David Petrlik, Paul Zientara, Nadine Sierra, Vincenzo Scalera…

Du 26 juillet au 12 août | lesnuitsduchateaudelamoutte.com

Plages électroniques I Cannes

The biggest beach party in France ! A festival that never lets up, with more than 90 artists, seven stages and even a secret stage dedicated to the LGBT community. It's open from 2 pm, and the concerts run until 5 am. There'll be a great atmosphere and headliners, and to make the festival experience even better, air-conditioned areas will be available for you to cool off.

Dj Snake, Armin Van Buuren, Tale of us, Lomepal, Hamza, Carlita, Fideles, Jimi Jules,
Lilly Palmer, Lujipeka, Mezerg, Mind Against, Mosimann, Ofenbach, Sam Paganini, Stephan Bodzin, Tchami…

4, 5 et 6 août | Plage du Palais des Festivals

plages-electroniques.com

Crossover I Nice

This rap, hip-hop and electro festival, which attracts so many youngsters, takes place on three consecutive dates in August at Théâtre de Verdure. Crossover has its fans, who come back every year for its seaside setting and musical styles. The 2023 edition has expanded to include two satellite dates: 1 July in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and 25 August in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Dinos, Feder, Franglish, J9ueve, Meryl, Nathalie Duchene, Tiakola, Worakls Orchestra, Zola

Du 29 au 31 août | festival-crossover.com