Saint-Germain-des-Prés swings to the rhythm of jazz

The festival’s name may sound almost redundant, as the art form and the neighborhood are so intrinsically linked: Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés feels like an obvious pairing, harking back to the cellars that helped revive joie de vivre in the aftermath of World War II. Yet the festival, founded in 2001, does not dwell on nostalgic glamour. Instead, it celebrates a vibrant, multifaceted music rooted firmly in the present, taking over some of the district’s most iconic venues, including the Odéon-Théâtre, the Cour d’Honneur of the Monnaie de Paris, and the Refectory of the Cordeliers. Spanning eight days (and nights), the 2026 edition features numerous highlights, including a recital by the singular Hugh Coltman, a tribute to Abbey Lincoln conceived by French singer Marion Rampal, and a grand swing ball led by the European Jazz Companions, a nineteen-piece big band.

May 11 and May 18-24