Festival Django Reinhardt 2026

Festival Django Reinhardt is a premier open-air jazz festival celebrating gypsy jazz and contemporary music in the historic grounds of Fontainebleau. Established in 1968, the event honors the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, who spent his final years in the nearby village of Samois-sur-Seine. The gathering deeply anchors itself in the unique Manouche musical identity, blending traditional Romani rhythms with modern American swing elements. Attendees can immerse themselves in virtuosic performances while enjoying gourmet food stalls under the canopy of ancient royal forest trees. By uniting international virtuosos and local families, the festival creates an inclusive space that champions intercultural dialogue and mutual appreciation. Ethnomusicologists highly value the event for documenting oral musical traditions and the evolution of European jazz styles. Interestingly, Reinhardt’s custom Selmer guitar design remains an iconic symbol of the festival, keeping his pioneering artistic legacy vibrant for future generations.