In Rocamadour (France), the heatwave pushes the festival into September

It is a major change for the Rocamadour Festival: after more than twenty years of summer editions, its 22nd festival will take place from 17 to 26 September 2027, leaving behind its traditional August slot. The decision is driven above all by the effects of climate change.

Increasingly frequent heatwaves are making concerts difficult in the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur, where the rock retains heat and the summer tourist crowds push temperatures even higher. This affects not only the comfort of audiences and musicians, but also the stability of the instruments.

Alongside these constraints is the desire to recover a more peaceful atmosphere, away from the overcrowding of August, and to make better use of the acoustics of the historic venues. “Faced with today’s climate realities and the saturation of the summer season, it was our responsibility to act,” explains Emmeran Rollin, General and Artistic Director, who also hopes to help extend the tourist and cultural season in the Lot region.

The festival thus hopes to reconnect with the “extraordinary place of peace” once described by Francis Poulenc. The programme for this first autumn edition in 2027, together with the opening of ticket sales, will be announced on 13 January 2027.

Official website: https://www.rocamadourfestival.com