What is Guitare en Scène?

Guitare en Scène is a music festival held in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, in the heart of the French Genevois region. Also known as GES, every summer it brings together leading artists, rock and blues bands, and guitar virtuosos in an intimate setting. Its intimate setting allows you to experience the concerts right up close to the stage, with a real sense of closeness between the audience and the musicians. It is one of the unmissable musical events in the Monts du Genevois, ideal for sharing a memorable moment with friends at the foot of the Alps.

What methods of payment are available on site?

At the festival, Guitare en Scène offers two simple payment methods. You can pay by credit or debit card anywhere at the festival. You can also use a free cashless card, which you can collect and top up directly on site. This card can be used at refreshment stands, food trucks and merchandise stalls. Three top-up points will be available, and any remaining balance can be refunded after the event in accordance with the festival’s terms and conditions.

What items are allowed at the festival?

To make the most of the Guitare en Scène festival, please travel light. Small bags are permitted, provided they do not exceed 10 litres in volume. Items required for medical reasons may also be permitted. However, a number of items are prohibited on the festival site, such as weapons, glass or plastic bottles, liquids, food (unless medically necessary), umbrellas, folding chairs (unless medically necessary), headphones, cameras, video cameras, drones, lasers, dangerous objects, bulky bags and animals (except assistance dogs)…

How do I get to Guitare en Scène?

Guitare en Scène takes place at the Stade des Burgondes, on Avenue Napoléon III, in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois. The festival encourages sustainable transport to minimise the carbon footprint of journeys. You can travel by train to Saint-Julien-en-Genevois station, then walk to the venue in 10 minutes. From Geneva, the TPG 80 bus also provides easy access to the festival. If you’re coming by car, please allow plenty of time for your journey and follow the parking signs around the venue. Free shuttle buses run between Guitare en Scène, the UCPA Vitam and Saint-Julien-en-Genevois station every 15 minutes.

Guitare en Scène 2026 The must-see rock festival in the Genevois region

Guitare en Scène is one of those festivals that we love just as much for its line-up as for its atmosphere. Held in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, at the foot of the French Alps and a stone’s throw from Geneva, Guitare en Scène brings together an audience passionate about music, rock, blues and the guitar at every edition. Here, there are no huge crowds or stages that are too far away to see properly. GES deliberately maintains an intimate format, with 5,000 seats per evening. The result: you get to enjoy real closeness to the musicians, a direct view of the stage and the atmosphere of a major festival.

Guitare en Scène is also a story of friends – guitar enthusiasts who wanted to create a unique venue that is simple, genuine and welcoming. Over the years, the festival has built its reputation by inviting major artists, legendary bands and guitar virtuosos to perform in a unique setting at the foot of the French Alps. Today, Guitare en Scène is a festival where people come not only for the headliners, but also for the experience: a marquee, a festival village, bands to discover, moments spent with friends and that precious feeling of being in the right place at the right time.

2026 Programme: Guitar Legends in Saint-Julien

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2023 Ambiances Guitare En Scene By V.bonadei 011
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Valentin Bonadei

For the 2026 edition, Guitare en Scène is once again inviting leading artists to Saint-Julien-en-Genevois. The line-up spans a range of genres, all with the same aim: to celebrate the guitar in all its forms, from the most powerful rock to blues, soul, funk and pop rock.

Among the big names on the bill, audiences can look forward to seeing Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, the Pixies, Airbourne, John Butler, Gregory Porter, Kool & The Gang, Steel Panther, Robben Ford and Manu Lanvin. A line-up that blends rock, blues, funk and soul, spanning genres without ever losing sight of the guitar. Every year, GES invites renowned bands, masters of the instrument and artists capable of creating truly memorable live moments. It is this diversity that is the festival’s strength: you can come to see a legend, discover a new band, and leave with an unexpected memory.

The Chapiteau Stage: exceptional concerts under cover

The Chapiteau Stage is the festival’s main covered stage. This is where the big concerts take place – the ones that bring the audience together to see the biggest names on the line-up. In this covered space, designed with the audience’s comfort in mind, you can enjoy the concerts under cover in a festive atmosphere. This marquee gives the festival a unique atmosphere. You can feel the energy of the venue, the power of the sound and the closeness to the artists. For guitar enthusiasts, it’s a real treat: seeing the musicians’ movements, their solos and their interactions, with no giant screen between you and the stage.

The Village Stage: a festive atmosphere and new discoveries

Before the main stages open, the festival village comes to life in its own right. It’s a place to meet up with friends, take time to chat, have a drink, grab a bite to eat and gently get into the spirit of things. The Village Stage also offers its own programme. It’s the ideal place to discover new artists, enjoy a more spontaneous gig and experience Guitare en Scène in a different way. Here, the festival is savoured as much in the big moments as in the simple ones: a chance encounter, a riff heard as you wander through the village, a photo taken between two concerts, a summer’s evening that gets off to a good start.

An intimate festival featuring rock, blues and virtuosos

Guitare en Scène is a festival in its own right in France. Its strength? Its intimacy and accessibility. Here, there’s no need for giant screens to watch the concerts: here, you have a direct view of the artists, the guitarists’ fingers, the solos and the details that thrill enthusiasts. This intimacy has shaped the festival’s history. Over the years, GES has hosted leading figures from the worlds of rock, blues and guitar, such as Joe Satriani, Manu Lanvin and Pierre Danel. These appearances have bolstered the venue’s reputation amongst live music enthusiasts and fans of great instrumentalists.

But Guitare en Scène isn’t just for experts. You can come for the rock music, for the atmosphere, for a particular artist, or simply to enjoy a memorable experience with friends. The festival maintains an open, simple and lively spirit. People come here to listen, share, get into the swing of things, enjoy the fresh air and savour a musical interlude on the doorstep of the French Alps and Geneva.

Prices and ticketing: book your seat for Guitare en Scène

To attend Guitare en Scène, please remember to book your ticket online. The capacity is limited to 5,000 people per evening, which is part of the festival’s charm, but it also means that certain evenings are in high demand.

The box office offers a range of options at different prices: single-day tickets, 1- to 4-day passes, standing and seated tickets, concessions and VIP packages, subject to availability. Combined passes are particularly good value if you want to experience several nights of the festival. The longer you stay, the more complete the experience becomes. You’ll move from one atmosphere to another, from a headliner to a new discovery, from a rock concert to a more bluesy or funk-inspired moment. It’s an excellent way to make the most of the big names of 2026, such as Ben Harper, the Pixies, Airbourne, Manu Lanvin and John Butler.

Book your tickets now!

Practical information: Getting to the Stade des Burgondes

Guitare en Scène takes place at the Stade des Burgondes on Avenue Napoléon III, in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, Haute-Savoie. The venue is easy to find on a map and is ideally situated in the Genevois region, close to Geneva and major transport routes.

The festival is accessible by train from Saint-Julien-en-Genevois station. From the station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the venue if you follow the signs, or you can take the TPG 80 bus and get off at the ‘Hutins’ stop – the festival is a 2-minute walk from there. The timetable for this bus route is extended for the duration of the festival. Simple, convenient, close by: everything is in place for you to enjoy the concert as soon as you arrive.

Parking and access to the venue

If you are coming by car, follow the Guitare en Scène signs to the car parks. Parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the venue are limited, particularly once the gates have opened. We therefore advise you to arrive early or to use the car parks in town and the alternatives recommended by the organisers. To get to Guitare en Scène easily, a free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes between the UCPA Vitam car parks, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois station and the festival. The last shuttle leaves 30 minutes after the final concert. If you’re travelling alone, why not consider carpooling?

Local partners play an important role in making you feel welcome: providing directions, parking, transport and comfort whilst you’re here. Everything has been thought through to make your visit as easy as possible and allow you to focus on what matters most: the music, the stage and the joy of being there.

FAQ: everything you need to know about Your GES experience

What is Guitare en Scène?
Guitare en Scène is a music festival held in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, in the heart of the French Genevois region. Also known as GES, every summer it brings together leading artists, rock and blues bands, and guitar virtuosos in an intimate setting. Its intimate setting allows you to experience the concerts right up close to the stage, with a real sense of closeness between the audience and the musicians. It is one of the unmissable musical events in the Monts du Genevois, ideal for sharing a memorable moment with friends at the foot of the Alps.
What methods of payment are available on site?
At the festival, Guitare en Scène offers two simple payment methods. You can pay by credit or debit card anywhere at the festival. You can also use a free cashless card, which you can collect and top up directly on site. This card can be used at refreshment stands, food trucks and merchandise stalls. Three top-up points will be available, and any remaining balance can be refunded after the event in accordance with the festival’s terms and conditions.
What items are allowed at the festival?
To make the most of the Guitare en Scène festival, please travel light. Small bags are permitted, provided they do not exceed 10 litres in volume. Items required for medical reasons may also be permitted. However, a number of items are prohibited on the festival site, such as weapons, glass or plastic bottles, liquids, food (unless medically necessary), umbrellas, folding chairs (unless medically necessary), headphones, cameras, video cameras, drones, lasers, dangerous objects, bulky bags and animals (except assistance dogs)…
How do I get to Guitare en Scène?
Guitare en Scène takes place at the Stade des Burgondes, on Avenue Napoléon III, in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois. The festival encourages sustainable transport to minimise the carbon footprint of journeys. You can travel by train to Saint-Julien-en-Genevois station, then walk to the venue in 10 minutes. From Geneva, the TPG 80 bus also provides easy access to the festival. If you’re coming by car, please allow plenty of time for your journey and follow the parking signs around the venue. Free shuttle buses run between Guitare en Scène, the UCPA Vitam and Saint-Julien-en-Genevois station every 15 minutes.