Fête de la Musique | All you need to know (+ bonus playlist!)

Photo by Jakob Rubner on Unsplash

June 21st: the day music takes over France!

From Edith Piaf to Daft Punk, music has always played a big role in French culture. Every year on June 21st, France celebrates a very special day: la Fête de la musique! Curious to know what it’s all about? Let me walk you through this giant party!

The origins of la fête de la musique

La Fête de la Musique was created in 1982 by Jack Lang, Maurice Fleuret, and Christian Dupavillon, all part of France’s Ministry of Culture at the time.

It all started with a surprising discovery: a national survey revealed that over 5 million people in France played a musical instrument! This confirmed what every escargot-loving Frenchie already knew: music matters here!

So, they had an idea. Why not dedicate a day to it? A day when anyone, anywhere, could perform, listen, and celebrate — all for free. That’s how la Fête de la Musique was born: a celebration of music, by the people and for the people.

➡️ Did you know? This event takes place on the same day as the summer solstice — the longest day of the year in Europe! 🌅

How France celebrates June 21st

Photo by Alessandro Cavestro on Unsplash

Music takes over the streets

La Fête de la Musique is a one-of-a-kind event in France — and it’s everywhere. From tiny villages to big cities like Paris or Bordeaux, music fills the streets.

On June 21st, you don’t need a ticket or a plan. Just take a walk through town and follow the sounds. It’s spontaneous, joyful, and completely free — like a giant open-air concert that pops up all around you.

All types of melodies

What makes it so special? I’d say the variety!

One street might have a jazz band, the next a DJ set, and a bit further, a choir or a rock group playing on a café terrace. From classical to hip-hop, every genre has its place.

➡️ Pssst, get to know more about Francophone cultures worldwide! 😀

From amateur to professional

Another beautiful thing about this day is that everyone can take part!

Whether you're a professional opera singer or just starting out on the harmonica, you're welcome to perform. Stages are set up in public squares, bars open their doors to local bands… and sometimes, people simply bring a speaker and a mic and play right on the sidewalk.

➡️ Fun fact: If you write it Faites de la musique, it becomes a call to action — “Play some music!”

Music and language learning: how they work together

How listening to Céline Dion can boost your French

Music is a powerful tool — not just for your mood, but also for your memory.And yes, it can totally help you learn a language!

How? By listening to French songs, you train your ear to recognize the sounds, rhythms, and intonation of the language. You also pick up vocabulary in context, hear sentence structures in action… and even familiarize yourself with tricky grammar points.

Here are a few fun examples I love to use with my students:

• To introduce the future, I usually play J’irai où tu iras by Céline Dion! 

• Aaaand as a little bonus for all the 90s kids (like me 😂), the French version of the Pokémon theme song is another great way to discover the future.

• Si j’étais un homme by Diane Tell is a classic for mastering the conditional.

• Want to hear some subjunctive? Listen to Pour que tu m’aimes encore by our favourite Québécois superstar (her again)!

How singing can help you learn a language

Have you ever heard non-native speakers sing in English? Sometimes, their accent almost disappears! That’s because they’re focused on mimicking sounds and melodies, not grammar rules.

Well, it’s the same with singing in the language of Stromae. When you imitate French singers, your pronunciation improves — naturally! You’re focusing on rhythm, rhyme, and the pure pleasure of singing, not on grammar charts.

It’s a fun, effortless way to let the language sink in — without even realizing it.

Have a look at this singer:

His name was Mike Brant. He was a true superstar from the 70s in France — and legend has it, he had no idea what he was singing! You can barely hear his accent, even though he didn’t speak a word of French. He learned the entire song phonetically! 

➡️ Did you know? Abba and Shakira aren’t native English speakers — yet when they sing, you’d barely notice it!

Our French music playlist to get you in the mood

Not sure where to start with Francophone music? Don’t worry — Sophie has put together some cool playlists for you! 

She’s created several themes on Spotify to help you explore Francophone songs, from timeless classics like La Vie en rose or Les Champs-Elysées to modern icons like Angèle, Aya Nakamura, or Philippe Katerine (yes — the blue guy from the Olympics!). 

➡️ Check out all Sophie’s playlists right here! 😉

So, are you ready to celebrate the biggest music festival in France on June 21? Even if you’re not in l’Hexagone, no worries — you can still join the fun from wherever you are!

🎵 Want to help us build the ultimate student playlist? 

Share your favourite French song in the comments below! ⤵️