Arbois International Organ Festival
The historic Marin Carouge organ resonates under the vaults of Saint-Just
About Arbois Organ Festival
An Exceptional Organ Heritage
In the heart of the wine-growing town of Arbois, the Saint-Just church houses a rare musical treasure: the Marin Carouge organ, built in 1728. This historic instrument, carefully restored, is the jewel around which the Arbois International Organ Festival has shone for over twenty years. Every summer, under the ancient vaults of the building, organists from all over Europe make this exceptional sound heritage vibrate.
A Festival of European Renown
Founded in 2001 by the association Orgue et Musiques en Arbois, the festival has acquired an international reputation in the world of the organ over the years. The greatest names in organ performance have played under the vaults of Saint-Just, attracted by the acoustic quality of the place and the unique character of the Marin Carouge instrument.
A Rich and Accessible Program
Each edition offers five Sunday concerts from mid-July to mid-August, providing a varied musical panorama:
- Solo organ recitals: works by Bach, Buxtehude, Couperin, Franck, or Messiaen performed by international virtuosos.
- Four-hand concerts: original programs highlighting the dialogue between two organists on the same instrument.
- Instrumental dialogues: the organ in conversation with trumpet, flute, oboe, cello, or solo voice.
- Contemporary creation: commissions and first performances that enrich the organ repertoire.
A Free and Friendly Event
True to its mission of sharing and accessibility, the festival is entirely free, with listeners free to make a donation at the exit of the concert. This generous philosophy allows a wide audience to discover the richness of the organ repertoire in an exceptional heritage setting. The concerts are followed by a friendly moment where the public can interact with the artists.
Arbois, Land of Culture and Wine
The festival is part of the cultural dynamism of Arbois, the birthplace of Louis Pasteur and the capital of Jura wines. Visitors can combine musical pleasure with oenological discovery, by visiting the numerous wine estates of the Arbois AOC appellation open during the summer.
Arbois Organ Festival — edition 2026
25th edition of the Arbois International Organ Festival, from July 12 to August 16, 2026. Six Sundays of free concerts at Saint-Just Church, celebrating a quarter-century of organ music in the heart of the Jura vineyard, with organists and ensembles from France and Europe.
25th Edition: A Quarter-Century of Music
The Arbois International Organ Festival celebrates its 25th edition in 2026, from July 12 to August 16, 2026. Every Sunday, the Saint-Just Church in Arbois resonates with the sound of the organ and guest instruments, thanks to the presence of artists and ensembles from France and Europe.
The audience discovers a rich and varied repertoire, ranging from baroque music to more contemporary works, performed by renowned organists accompanied by saxophone, oboe, trumpets, sackbuts, or soprano voices. Twenty-five years of free concerts centered around the historic organ of Saint-Just Church, a unique sound heritage in the Jura.
Programme Arbois Organ Festival 2026
Six concerts, every Sunday from July 12 to August 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM (until approximately 8:00 PM), at Saint-Just Church in Arbois. Free admission, with a collection.
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — 5:30 PM
Stefano Faggioni (organ, Switzerland) & Fabio Faggioni (saxophone). Works by Lassus, Couperin, Bach, Paris.
Sunday, July 19, 2026 — 5:30 PM
Thomas Ospital (organ, titular organist of Saint-Eustache in Paris). Works by Grigny, Guilain, Rameau, Bach and improvisations.
Sunday, July 26, 2026 — 5:30 PM
Ensemble Tumbleweeds: Benoît Chrétien (organ), Claire-Ombeline Muhlmeyer & Vincent Santagiuliana (sackbuts). Works by Rosenmüller, Cavalli, Monteverdi.
Sunday, August 2, 2026 — 5:30 PM
Michael De Geest (organ, Belgium) & Dagmar Robben (oboe). Works by Cavazzoni, Loeillet, Böhm, Buxtehude, Bach, Morricone.
Sunday, August 9, 2026 — 5:30 PM
Anastasie Jeanne (organ, Paris) & Morgane Collomb (soprano). Works by Scheidt, Schütz, Buxtehude, Charpentier, Langlais, Fleury.
Sunday, August 16, 2026 — 5:30 PM
Christian Bacheley (organ, Arbois) & Pierre and Stéphane Kumor (trumpets, Besançon). Works by Pezel, Corelli, Bach, Lully, Lasceux, Bernstein.
Highlights Arbois Organ Festival 2026
- 25th anniversary edition of the festival
- A quarter century of organ music
- Exceptional program expected
- Free admission
Prices Arbois Organ Festival 2026
Practical information — Arbois Organ Festival
Practical Information
Location
The concerts take place at the Saint-Just Church in Arbois, Place de la Liberté, 39600 Arbois. The church is located in the center of the town, easily accessible on foot from the historic center.
Dates and Times
The festival takes place every Sunday from mid-July to mid-August, with concerts at 5:00 PM. The duration of each concert is approximately one hour to one hour and a half.
Prices
Free admission. A collection plate is available at the exit for voluntary donations.
Access
- By car: Arbois is located on the N83 between Besançon (45 km) and Lons-le-Saunier (40 km). Free parking near the church.
- By train: Mouchard station (10 km), served by TGV and TER from Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg. Taxi or bus connection.
Contact
Association Orgue et Musiques en Arbois. Website: orgueetmusiques.wixsite.com/arbois. Facebook: Festival International d'Orgue d'Arbois.
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Where does it take place — Arbois Organ Festival
Église Saint-Just d'Arbois
Place de la Liberté, 39600 Arbois