Ault en Musiques
Classical music festival on the cliffs of the Picardy coast
About Ault en Musiques
Ault en Musiques: Classical Music at the Summit of the Picardy Cliffs
Since 2011, the Ault en Musiques festival has transformed the small seaside town of Ault into an exceptional musical setting each summer. Founded by cellist David Louwerse, the festival's artistic director, and supported by the association Les Musiciens de l'Instant, this event was born from a desire to democratize classical music by bringing it to remarkable heritage sites, in the heart of a rural and coastal area often far from major cultural programming.
Heritage Sites as Musical Settings
The uniqueness of Ault en Musiques lies in its concert venues, all rich in history and character. The Ancien Casino d'Ault, a testament to the town's golden age as a seaside resort, offers unique acoustics and ambiance for recitals. The Saint-Pierre church in Ault, with its centuries-old vaults, is magnificently suited for great works of the classical repertoire. The Chapel of Bois de Cise, nestled in a wooded valley by the sea, and the Chapel of Notre-Dame d'Onival bring a rare intimacy to chamber music concerts. The Jacques-Prévert cultural center and the Paul-Éluard library complete this network of cultural venues used by the festival.
An Eclectic and Demanding Program
Each edition of Ault en Musiques is designed around a unifying theme, presented under the general title "Un air de...". The program features chamber music, classical and baroque repertoire, while also opening up to jazz, world music, and musical performances. The concerts, lasting about 1 hour and 15 minutes without an intermission, allow for total immersion in the world of each program.
The festival invites top-level musicians, often from the international scene, alongside regional talents. Among the regularly featured artists are clarinetist Michel Lethiec, the Lethiec family violists and violinists, pianist David Catel, and accordionist Pascal Contet. Performing artists, such as actress Fanny Cottençon, also participate in musical performances blending text and music.
A Commitment to Cultural Democratization
Beyond the concerts, Ault en Musiques pursues a strong mission of cultural mediation. The festival organizes masterclasses, educational workshops for schoolchildren, and specific actions for vulnerable audiences, particularly children and adults with autism. Free concerts, including an interactive show for young audiences, are offered at each edition, affirming the festival's commitment to making music accessible to the greatest number.
A collective exhibition by visual artists (photography, painting, sculpture, textile art) is also presented at the Jacques-Prévert cultural center throughout July, on the theme of the edition.
An Exceptional Natural Setting
Ault occupies a remarkable geographical position: the town is located at the southern end of the Côte d'Opale, at the top of chalk cliffs that rise over 70 meters above the English Channel. The Bois de Cise, a classified wooded valley that descends to the sea, is one of the most romantic natural sites on the Picardy coast. This exceptional setting, between sky, sea, and cliffs, gives outdoor concerts or those in chapels a unique atmosphere, where music resonates with the wild beauty of the Picardy coastline.
Ault en Musiques — edition 2026
16th edition of the Ault en Musiques festival, on the theme 'A touch of...'. From July 5 to 9, 2026, nine events featuring classical music, jazz, tango, world music, and musical theatre will take over Ault's heritage sites: the Former Casino, Jacques-Prévert cultural center, Bois de Cise chapel, and Notre-Dame d'Onival chapel. The program is led by cellist David Louwerse and the Les Musiciens de l'Instant association, with clarinettist Michel Lethiec as guest of honor.
16th Edition — 'A touch of...'
The Ault en Musiques festival returns for its 16th edition from July 5 to 9, 2026, centered around its unifying theme 'A touch of...'. Five days of concerts, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes long without intermission, will take over the heritage sites of Ault and the Picardy coast.
On the program: an opening concert 'A touch of... Mozart!' at the Jacques-Prévert cultural center with Michel Lethiec (clarinet), Karine Lethiec (viola), Adèle Winckler and Pierre-Olivier Queyras (violins), and David Louwerse (cello); a Persian music concert with Saina Zamanian (târ and setâr); a concert 'A touch of... Jazz!' with David Catel (piano) and Thierry Bonneaux (vibraphone); a tribute to composer and conductor Paul Paray (1886-1979) at the Bois de Cise chapel; the musical theatre show 'Soudain ce silence' with actress Fanny Cottençon and accordionist Pascal Contet at the Notre-Dame d'Onival chapel; and a closing concert 'A touch of... Tango!' at the Jacques-Prévert cultural center.
The festival is preceded, on Saturday, July 4, by a free public masterclass by Michel Lethiec (clarinet) at the Notre-Dame d'Onival chapel. A free interactive concert for young audiences is offered at the Paul-Éluard library, and the collective exhibition of visual artists — with a tribute to Paul Paray — is presented at the Jacques-Prévert cultural center.
Programme Ault en Musiques 2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026 (pre-festival)
- 2:00 PM — Public Masterclass by Michel Lethiec (clarinet) · Notre-Dame d'Onival Chapel · Free admission
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- 11:00 AM — 'A touch of... Rock World Fusion': Trio Vidabreve (Marc Vidabreve, guitar; Doris Hellier, cello; Stéphane Pauly-Cailhau, drums and percussion) · Former Casino of Ault · Free contribution
- 3:00 PM — 'A touch of... World Music — Persian Music': Saina Zamanian (târ and setâr) · Restaurant Lorette, 23 Grande Rue · Free admission (with purchase)
- 6:00 PM — Opening Concert 'A touch of... Mozart!': Michel Lethiec (clarinet), Karine Lethiec (viola), Adèle Winckler and Pierre-Olivier Queyras (violins), David Louwerse (cello) — works by Mozart, Brahms, Gershwin, and klezmer music · Jacques-Prévert Cultural Center
Monday, July 6, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Opening of the collective exhibition 'A touch of...' and tribute to Paul Paray · Jacques-Prévert Cultural Center
- 8:00 PM — 'A touch of... Jazz!': David Catel (piano) and Thierry Bonneaux (vibraphone and percussion) · Jacques-Prévert Cultural Center
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
- 8:00 PM — 'A touch of... Tribute to Paul Paray!': Paul Paray String Quartet, preceded by Beethoven's Serenade Op. 8 in D major — Karine Lethiec (viola), Adèle Winckler and Pierre-Olivier Queyras (violins), David Louwerse (cello) · Bois de Cise Chapel
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
- 4:00 PM — 'A touch of... Young Audience!': interactive show with Pierre-Olivier Queyras and Adèle Winckler (violins) · Paul-Éluard Library · Free admission
- 8:00 PM — 'A touch of... Musical Theatre — Soudain ce silence': Fanny Cottençon (actress) and Pascal Contet (accordion) · Notre-Dame d'Onival Chapel
Thursday, July 9, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Closing Concert 'A touch of... Tango!': Guillaume Hodeau (bandoneon), Renaud Bary (double bass), Pierre-Olivier Queyras (violin), Christophe Henry (piano) · Jacques-Prévert Cultural Center
Highlights Ault en Musiques 2026
- 16th edition on the theme 'A touch of...'
- Opening concert 'A touch of... Mozart!' with Michel Lethiec
- Persian music with Saina Zamanian (târ and setâr)
- Jazz concert with David Catel and Thierry Bonneaux
- Tribute to composer Paul Paray at the Bois de Cise chapel
- Musical theatre 'Soudain ce silence' with Fanny Cottençon and Pascal Contet
- Closing concert 'A touch of... Tango!'
- Free interactive concert for young audiences
- Collective exhibition all summer at the Jacques-Prévert cultural center
Prices Ault en Musiques 2026
Practical information — Ault en Musiques
Practical Information
Access
By car: Ault is located on the Picardy coast, about 30 km south of the Baie de Somme and 90 km from Amiens. From the A16/A28, take the Abbeville exit then the D925 towards the coast. From Paris (approx. 2h30), take the A16 towards Abbeville.
By train: Nearest station is Eu (15 km) on the Paris-Le Tréport line, or Abbeville station (30 km) on the Paris-Boulogne line. Bus connections are possible from these stations.
Concert Venues
- Ancien Casino d'Ault - Town center
- Église Saint-Pierre d'Ault - Village center
- Centre culturel Jacques-Prévert - Moulinet site
- Chapelle du Bois de Cise - Bois de Cise
- Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Onival - Onival
- Bibliothèque Paul-Éluard - Town center
- Restaurant Lorette - 23 Grande Rue
Ticketing
5-concert pass for 50 euros. Individual tickets available online. Some concerts are free, including the interactive show for young audiences and the opening concert with free participation.
Accommodation
Ault has bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and seasonal rentals. The Bois de Cise campsite and accommodations on the Picardy coast (Mers-les-Bains, Le Tréport, Cayeux-sur-Mer) offer nearby alternatives. Reservations recommended during the summer season.
Tips
- Concert duration: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes without intermission.
- Some venues have limited capacity: arrive early.
- Take advantage of your stay to discover the cliffs of Ault, the Bois de Cise, and the Picardy coast.
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Where does it take place — Ault en Musiques
Ancien Casino, églises et chapelles d'Ault
Grande Rue, 80460 Ault