Search Results for: Tempo Latino Festival

Tempo Latino: An Unmissable Event in Vic Fezensac!

Get ready, salsa lovers and Latin rhythm enthusiasts, because the Tempo Latino festival is returning to Vic Fezensac from July 24 to 27, 2025, for its 30th edition, promising an unforgettable experience.

This internationally renowned event transforms the picturesque French town into the epicenter of Latin music and culture.

How to Get to the Heart of the Party?

Getting to Tempo Latino is easier than ever. If you prefer convenience, the festival offers a bus service from Mont de Marsan, Agen, and Toulouse.

Once in Vic Fezensac, the “navetitas” will take you to your accommodation within the Community of Municipalities of D’Artagnan in Fezensac, and are free for accompanied children with prior reservation.
For those choosing the train, the closest stations are Auch, Agen, and Toulouse.
And if you’re coming by car, Vic Fezensac is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Toulouse and 2 hours from Bordeaux. You can even carpool for a greener arrival!

IMG July 2025

Accessibility for Everyone

Tempo Latino prides itself on being an inclusive festival. If you come by car, parking spaces are available at Place du Foirail. During the festival, Rue Reynal and Avenue Edmond Bergès will be pedestrianized, facilitating access to the venue. Most importantly, all Festival stages—Scène Tempo Arena, Scène de La Conga, Scène Cap Tempo, and Concert Église—are accessible to people with reduced mobility. There is even a dedicated platform at the Tempo Arena to ensure a perfect view of the stage.

Accommodation Options for Every Festival-goer

To fully immerse yourself in the experience, Tempo Latino offers various accommodation options:

Goulin and Les Acacias Reception Areas: If you have a concert pass, you can camp in tents at the Goulin rugby stadium or the Acacias football stadium (new for 2025!). Reservations are valid from Thursday morning to Monday morning with a fixed fee.
Cauderon Reception Area: The municipality of Vic Fezensac is opening this area for tents, cars, and motorhomes, with a discharge station available. It will be open from July 21 to July 27, 2025. For more details, you can contact the town hall at 05 62 64 47 00 (press 1).
Other Options: The Tourist Office offers a list of available accommodations and “Esprit libre” packages that include accommodation and festival tickets. You can visit armagnac-dartagnan.com or call 05 62 06 34 90.

A Star-Studded Lineup for 2025!

The 30th edition of Tempo Latino is packed with talent. Here’s a preview of what awaits you at the Tempo’Arena:

Friday, July 25: Via La Habana
- 9:00 p.m.: Eliades Ochoa
- 11:00 p.m.: Issac Delgado y su Orquesta + guests (Haila and Alain Perez…)
Saturday, July 26: “Minha noite brasileira” via Rio De Janeiro
- 9:00 p.m.: Joao Selva
- 11:00 p.m.: Flavia Coelho
Sunday, July 27: Via Nueva York
- 9:00 p.m.: Yuri Buenaventura
- 11:00 p.m.: Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Additionally, on Thursday, July 24, Scène La Conga will offer a “La Electronica de Bogotá” night with DJ sets by Caribombo and SimaO, and a performance by Acido Pantera.

Get Your Tickets

You can book your tickets online at tempolatino.com/billetterie, at the physical store at 3 rue du Général Delort 32190 Vic-Fezensac, or by phone at +33 (0)5 62 06 56 66.

Don’t miss the 30th edition of Tempo Latino, a vibrant celebration of Latin music and culture in the heart of France!

Eric Duffau and his 26-year Tempo Latino’s legacy

North America / USA / New York

The biggest festival in Europe reaches its twenty-sixth edition and its founder told us how this journey began. International Salsa Magazine met with Eric Duffau and was able to talk about the beginning of the festival and the history behind the event that houses more than 60,000 people each year.

Tempo Latino Festival

Tempo Latino Festival is “The only one”. For 25 years has kept its artistic approach in the heart and around Afro-Cuban and Latin Music. Its region, “Occitanie”, in the department of Gers, opens up internationally by supporting the cultural adventure. A beautiful project built south pride and prize of risks to produce all these artists.

Eric Duffau is a music lover in all its splendour. He arrived in Paris in 1982, from his small village Vic-Fezensac to devote himself to the formal study of music. He studied classical music, medieval music, jazz, and at the same time, he met Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, Salsa and Latin Jazz. With his formal apprenticeships, he met the Temp, and with his learning in the streets of Paris, he met a range of Latin rhythms that were combined divinely to form what we nowadays know as Tempo Latino.

With this idea, he put together a 6-page project and in 1993 he returned to his village to seek the support of all those who wanted to collaborate. This is how in 1994 the first edition of the festival was held with 100 volunteers, becoming known among journalists, the public in France, Europe and the world.

The first edition was attended by 3,500 people with paid entrance, over the years the capacity of this arena up to 7,000 people paying every day, plus those who attend the other locations throughout Vic-Fizensac. Today, more than 60,000 travel to this small village to dance for 4 days in every corner.

To Vic-Fezensac, that has 3,700 habitants, is preparing itself during the whole year to welcome to a mixed race public and traveler, essential artists or to discover, proposing a festival under the heat of the end of July where everyone will have the freedom to go to the meeting of rhythms, people, flavors and other shared pleasures.

The Tempo Latino’s team is a well-oiled team that leads several projects of front and in which everyone knows what to do. All members of this team are passionate and possess very strong skills and a spirit of solidarity mark.

To pay attention to every detail the festival count with:

7 members of the board | 2 employees

500 volunteers | 22 commissions

2 months of editing before festival

From this year, Mr. Jean-François Labit, will replace Mr. Eric Duffau as president of the Festival.

Some of the great figures in the world of Latin music who have passed through Arènes Joseph Fourniol in 15 avenue Edmond Berges, 32190 Vic-Fezensac are:

Israel López “Cachao”

Celia Cruz

Jimmy Bosch

Ósar D’Leon

Yuri Buenaventura

Willie Colon

Ernesto «Tito» Puente

Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz

And hundreds more in 26 years…

Eric Duffau, Wilile Colon, Eric Jimmy Bosch 1999

Where is Vic-Fezensac?

Vic in Fesensac in Occitan, is a town and commune in France, located in the Midi-Pyrénées region, department of Gers, in the district of Auch and canton of Vic-Fezensac. Is one of the last towns in France which still showcases bullfighting. The main feria takes place over the Pentecost weekend. On this occasion, tens of thousands of people gather all night long over the weekend in the tiny streets of the city. It is the first big “feria” of the year in Southwestern France. Small bodegas crowded with people are open until the morning comes, “bands” (bands of popular Basque or Gascon music) goes on the streets.

At the end of July, the Tempo Latino salsa festival takes place. Night markets (“Marchés de Nuit”) are also held in summer.

If you are in USA and want to go to the biggest Salsa Festival, you can fly with some cheap options that International Salsa Magazine finds for you:

Frenchbee:

San Francisco – Paris

$500 round trip

www.frenchbee.com

La Compagnie:

New York – Nice

$1065 round trip in Business Class

www.lacompagnie.com

Tempo Latino Festival 1996 Jean-Paul Chambas flyer

Find them everywhere:

Web: http://tempo-latino.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tempolatino/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tempo_latino?lang=fr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tempolatino

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjFUG_yf9EgX-5FAPZwJGg

Tempo Latino: Creating Connections Through Music

An Interview with Eric, Founder of Europe’s Premier Latin Music Festival

On the last week-end of July, a festival celebrates Latin and Afro-Cuban music and brings thousands of music lovers to a small town in France. Eric, the festival’s creator, shares its origins, inspirations, and evolution.

Eric Duffau showing a photo of Compay Segundo

Since its inception in 1994, the Tempo Latino festival has welcomed incredible artists to this small town in the Southwest of France.

Creating a Musical Oasis in Vic-Fezensac

Having lived across France, Eric settled in Vic-Fezensac, where he felt the need to create something beyond work. His passion for Latin and Afro-Cuban music led him to start Tempo Latino, aiming to provide what he missed – concerts of these genres.

A Journey of Music and Discovery

Eric’s radio inspiration and his love for vibrant rhythms ignited the idea for a music festival. He yearned to introduce others to the music he cherished, giving birth to Tempo Latino in 1994. The inaugural edition featured Fatal Mambo and Mambomania, attracting 2,800 attendees. Now the festival attracts over 10,000 people.

Eric’s selection process for artists is fueled by genuine connections, resulting in a diverse lineup that weaves different styles into a harmonious experience. His curation creates unique narratives each night. Pairing artists with contrasting energies, like Lila Downs and Cimafunk, creates a captivating tapestry that reflects the festival’s essence. Eric’s journey involves tireless pursuit and strong artist relationships. From Bernard Lavilliers to Excelencia, his commitment to music’s magic and meaningful collaborations remains steadfast.

A Melodic Journey Unfolds

The festival’s theme guides its trajectory, from Africa’s heart to New York’s energy. Lavilliers’ Paris and the Caribbean’s vibrancy unite through music, creating a diverse yet cohesive experience.

In a digital era, Tempo Latino reminds us of music’s power to unite. Eric’s dedication and knack for blending genres into harmonious narratives continue to resonate.

Tempo Latino: 28 Years of Latin Rhythms, Community, and Artistry

The charm of Vic-Fezensac, a small town in France, transforms every year as over fifty thousand people gather for the renowned Tempo Latino Festival. In an exclusive interview, Eric, the festival’s creator, discusses the intricacies of managing such an event in a local community and the relationship it shares with the town.

Mural for the entrance of the 2023 Festival, by Martin, a local graffiti artist.

Martin, the local graffiti artist, putting the final touches on the entrance mural.

Local Community and Involvement

Eric sheds light on the local engagement, emphasizing that while not everyone participates, the festival is supported by some local partners. What brings him contentment is the transformation he witnesses each year as the town welcomes an eclectic crowd of festival-goers. The festival’s vibrant audience, composed of diverse backgrounds, gives life to the town’s streets and squares in ways that were once unimaginable.

Eric reminisces about the support he received from the former mayor, Jean Arnaud, whose open-mindedness and appreciation for the festival’s diverse attendees left a mark. Jean Arnaud’s encouragement and acknowledgment of the festival’s contribution to cultural diversity added an emotional connection between the festival and the town.

Fostering Relationships with Artists

Eric’s dedication to music and fostering connections with artists has been at the heart of the festival’s growth. He shares anecdotes about musicians like Oscar D’Léon and Celia Cruz, who have left an indelible mark on the festival’s history. These relationships, he emphasizes, are more than business; they’re rooted in mutual respect and genuine affection.

Overcoming Challenges

Throughout its 28 editions, the festival has faced numerous challenges, both financial and logistical. Eric reflects on early deficits, weather-related disruptions, and organizational intricacies. Each year’s success has hinged on meeting these challenges head-on, often pushing the festival to its limits.

The Ever-Evolving Vision

Eric’s vision for the festival’s future remains unwavering – bringing together people from diverse backgrounds through music. He acknowledges the changing landscape of music and dance styles, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between cultural integrity and evolving tastes.

Looking Ahead

With the 30^th edition approaching, Eric envisions continued growth while staying true to the festival’s roots. He expresses his desire to bring acclaimed artists like La India and Carlos Santana to the stage, continuing the legacy of diverse and passionate musical experiences.

In the grand tapestry of the Tempo Latino Festival, Eric’s passion, dedication, and genuine relationships have woven together a cultural masterpiece. The festival remains a beacon of unity, showcasing the power of music to transcend boundaries and create shared experiences. As the festival moves towards its next milestone, it stands as a testament to Eric’s unwavering commitment and the enduring magic of Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Mark your calendar and plan your trip for the 2024 Tempo Latino on the last weekend of July 25 to 28, 2024.

Visit for more information

Tempo Latino 2023

Tempo Latino is a music festival held in Vic-Fezensac, France, in the region of Gers in Gascony it is the first and the greatest Latin American and Afro-Cuban music festival of the summer in Europe. The festival was founded in 1994 and has been held annually since then.

“In 2020 and 2021, the festival was only interrupted for two consecutive years due to the containment of the new crown pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic.”

With around 600 volunteers from all over the city for four days of intense activities and an audience of around 60,000 people from all over the world.

Tempo Latino offers a variety of Latin American and Afro-Cuban music, including Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Cumbia, Merengue, Rumba, Latin-jazz, Reggaeton and more. The festival also features dance workshops, food stalls and other cultural events.

International performers and instructors from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Africa, the United States (primarily New York, Miami, and California), and Europe have participated in a number of concerts and workshops

Tempo Latino has grown from a small festival to one of the most important Latin American music festivals in Europe. The festival hosts some of the biggest names in Latin music, including Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Oscar D’ León, Johnny Pacheco, Adalberto Álvarez, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Kassav, Totó la Momposina, and Los Van Van. Tempo Latino has also helped advance the careers of many new artists.

Here’s more information on Tempo Latino:

The festival takes place in a beautiful setting in the heart of the French countryside.
The festival is family friendly and has activities for all ages.
The festival is a great opportunity to experience a different culture and learn about Latin American and Afro-Cuban music.

A festival of concerts takes place in the square and, at the same time, many free outdoor events for those who want to discover music in the city’s dance halls in the afternoon and evening. In the second edition, they have integrated dance, music, and percussion lessons.

The 28^th edition of Tempo Latino will take place from July 27-30, 2023.

The lineup includes:

La Conga

27 July – Ana Tijoux (France)

Les Arenes

28 July 2023

21:00 – Orchestra Baobab (Senegal)

23:00 – Grupo Compay Segundo (Cuba)

29 July 2023

21:00 – Lila Downs (Mexico)

23:00 – Cimafunk (Cuba)

30 July 2023

21:00 – Bernard Lavilliers (France)

23:00 – La Excelencia (USA)

and many more!

Pass Concert:

On the official website, tickets for four days are available for 120 € (during the festival, they cost 150 €).

Eric Duffau

The current director of Tempo Latino is Eric Duffau from Toulouse, France. He is also the founder of the music festival which he started in 1994. A passionate lover of Latin American and Afro-Cuban music, Dufour devoted his life to promoting this music to a wider audience and serves on the board of the French Association for the Promotion of Latin Music (AFMPL).

Dufoe was a tireless promoter of Latin American and Afro-Cuban music. He travels the world in search of new talent and works hard to make Tempo Latino a major cultural event. He is a passionate advocate of Latin music and works to bring this music to a wider audience.

Dufour graduated from the National School of Arts and Crafts (ENSAM) in Paris. In the early 1980s he worked as a DJ, during which time he became interested in Latin American and Afro-Cuban music. In 1989, he decided to create a festival to showcase this music and Tempo Latino was born.

https://www.tempo-latino.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/TempoLatinoFestival

The Tempo Latino Festival is Back

Festivals in June 2023, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand

Spring in Europe

The next beginning of rest in summer, pleasant temperatures at night and heat during the day, the work of the year has its rewards in holidays and is traveling, knowing places and people, cultures and languages and all this leads us to have fun as a couple or alone and thus meet nice people with whom to share, and at this point we want to captivate you by enjoying tropical dances, commonly called Latin music, as it is Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba among other variables are sensual and exotic rhythms in many cases, that make us experience pleasant bodily and sensory, for this incredible experience we have festivals in the European continent and Asia with some ease of transport according to our budgets but if we want to go further let’s not forget the beautiful beaches and active life of New Zealand very few hours by plane

This month of June we have festivals in the following countries and do not forget that next month comes Tempo Latino, a festival like no other, about which I will be informing you.

Germany Cologne Salsa Congress Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023 Hurth, Germany http://colognesalsacongress.com/en/
Spain Estilos Unidos Dance Festival Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023 La Zenia, Alicante, Spain https://estilosunidos.com/
Latin Dance Festival & WTP European Meeting Summer Edition Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023 Lloret de Mar, Spain https://www.facebook.com/LatinDanceFestivalWTP
CROACIA Summer Sensual Days Jun 05 2023 – Jun 12 2023 Rovinj, Croatia https://www.summersensual.com/
Croatian Summer Salsa Festival 2023 Jun 12 2023 – Jun 19 2023 Rovinj, Croatia https://www.crosalsafestival.com/
NEW ZEALAND NZ Salsa Congress Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023 Wellington , New Zealand https://www.nzsalsacongress.co.nz/
FRANCE Kizomba Gala Challenge Festival Jun 08 2023 – Jun 12 2023 Saint Herblain, France https://www.facebook.com/events/555875292933107
PORTUGAL Estrutura Kizomba Summer Festival Jun 15 2023 – Jun 18 2023 Chaves, Portugal https://www.estruturakizomba.com/en
Aquae Flaviae International Congress Jun 16 2023 – Jun 18 2023 Chaves, Portugal https://www.facebook.com/events/452697403072900
KOREA Jeju Latin Culture Festival Jun 22 2023 – Jun 25 2023 Jeju-si, South Korea http://www.jejulcf.com/
MALAYSIA Afro Latin Fest Asia Jun 23 2023 – Jun 25 2023 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.alfa-asia.net/
ROMANIA Carpathian Latino Fest Jun 24 2023 – Jun 26 2023 Ramnicu Valcea, Romania https://www.facebook.com/events/661474741321475