For the 2 weeks in summer each year (from 14 July to 4 August 2024) the quiet Gascony village of Marciac (32 Gers, Occitanie) holds its annual Marciac Jazz Festival.
This usually serene small town in the middle of Gascony comes alive in the heart of a region which is peaceful, with gently rolling hills, little traffic or industry, few large towns or major through routes.The festival (and the town) have earned an international reputation, fostered in part by the renowned musician Wynton Marsalis who got the festival established. appearing this in 2010 were and Wynton Marsalis. You do pay for the big name concerts, but there are also many free offerings available. Amongst the list of many internationally recognised artists who have headlined here are George Benson, Norah Jones, Gregory Porter, Herbie Hancock,Michael Bublé, Diana Krall and Wynton Marsalis and many more,
You do not need to be a jazz-(or even a music-) lover to enjoy the vibrancy of the town during the festival with its festival atmosphere, music, dancing, local products – and of course even some of the local Gascony wines from Producteurs Plaimont who sponsor the event – providing ample opportunities to taste (or buy) the local wines of the Cotes de Gascogne, Cotes de St Mont, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, Madiran etc!
Vineyard accommodation is on offer at the Monastery of St Mont (Monastère de Saint Mont) – 24 miles away.
For more info see www.jazzinmarciac.com
In the heart of the town is a decent Logis hotel – Hôtel Les Comtes de Pardiac
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