It was a multi-disciplinary annual event, bringing together: Created in 1963 by Dr. Bernard Gachet, the festival was primarily focused on contemporary music.
Soon, its musical production, the Festival de Royan became as famous as those of Donaueschingen and Venice.
[citation needed] The Olivier Messiaen international piano competition was part of the festival until 1971.
It was also the year that created the international exhibition of photographic research (SIRP).
That year, no fewer than 49 composers (including 15 born after 1940) are found in Royan, 18 different nationalities.