The results of the tourist season at La Chaise-Dieu show an increase in attendance. The sacred music festival but also the tour of the abbey and its exhibition attracted many visitors.
There is no shortage of cultural offerings in the town of La Chaise-Dieu. The tourist report for this season testifies to all the interest it arouses.
The festival welcomed 23,000 spectators
This year, the 58th edition of the La Chaise-Dieu music festival, which took place from August 20 to 30, welcomed around 23,000 spectators, a thousand more than the previous season. “This corresponds to an occupancy rate of approximately 86%,” says Boris Blanco, the festival director. We even reached 100% on a few of our concerts. » He also underlines “the great density” of the festival’s offerings. Whether concerts in the abbey, in the auditorium, musical activities or master classes; from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., the program is designed so that an option is offered to visitors at any time. The dates for the 59th edition have already been set: it will take place from August 20 to 30, 2025.
A survey carried out this year among the public reveals that 71% of those present come especially for the festival. Among them, around two thirds remain in the commune. “The majority of festival-goers are over 56, so they find accommodation, eat and operate local businesses. The rate of young people is 12%, it’s increasing,” approves Boris Blanco.
A rich cultural offering
The joint union of the Chaise-Dieu project welcomes an increase in attendance, also outside the festival period, throughout the tourist season. The abbey's museum tour attracted more than 34,000 people this year (from March 30 to November 3, Editor's note). An increase of 24% compared to the previous season. 36.5% of visitors come from the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, including a majority from Altiligerians. The other territories mainly represented are: the south of France and the Paris region. 4% of tourists are foreigners. “People came to look for fresh food,” smiles Jean-Paul Grimaud, the director of the mixed union. We have observed an increase in the reception of visitors, especially during the pre- and post-season. Particularly school groups. »
During this season, the abbey hosted an exhibition of thirty photographs by Robert Doisneau, Fingers Full of Ink. “We welcomed around 900 students from the department,” notes Diane Blanchet, heritage and cultural mediation assistant. Built in collaboration with socio-educational structures, the exhibition revolved around the theme of school. “The challenge of this project,” continues Diane Blanchet, recalling that the abbey welcomed schoolchildren from the town for a while, “was to create synergy with the residents in various structures. »
A new exhibition of 95 photographs by the artist Raymond Depardon will be held from September 1 to 21, 2025. It will be entitled Happiness is in the image.
Salome Ham
France
