Bandstand

In the heart of the Foirail Garden, you’ll find the charming bandstand of Rodez. This elegant, octagonal cast-iron structure dates back to 1894. It was designed by architect Besse and cast by Barthe of Rodez, whose signature you can still spot at the base of one of the columns.

Back then, it sheltered the military orchestras of the nearby 122nd Infantry Regiment, protecting musicians from sun and rain while also enhancing the acoustics. It quickly became a favorite gathering spot for the people of Rodez: during the Belle Époque, families and passersby would meet here to enjoy concerts and the festive atmosphere of Sunday afternoons in the garden. But this bandstand is more than just a romantic ornament—it’s a witness to a time when nearly 4,000 kiosks brought music to towns and cities all across France.

Today, only a few hundred survive, and the one in Rodez is among those rare survivors. Over time, age and corrosion left it too fragile to host the public, but selected by the Stéphane Bern Mission, it underwent an ambitious restoration. The goal was simple: to give it back its original purpose as an open stage for everyone, where concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events can once again fill the Foirail Garden with life.