Brunoy Organ Festival

Brunoy Organ Festival: Organ music in the heart of Essonne

Founded in 2007 by the Amis des Orgues de Brunoy association, the Brunoy Organ Festival has become, over nearly two decades, one of the most anticipated musical events in the southern Île-de-France region. Every autumn, for a week in November, the Saint-Médard church in Brunoy throws open its doors to welcome musicians, recitalists, and chamber ensembles to celebrate its crown jewel: the grand organ.

An exceptional instrument

The organ at the Saint-Médard church is the heart of the festival. Restored and maintained through the dedication of the organizing association and municipal support, it boasts a remarkable tonal palette that captivates both professional organists and the general public. Its acoustic richness, enhanced by the church's stone architecture, turns every concert into a truly graceful experience.

A demanding and thematic program

Each edition is built around an annual theme that shapes the programming. The four to five concerts that make up the festival explore repertoires ranging from Baroque to Romantic and contemporary, often pairing the organ with other instruments such as strings, woodwinds, percussion, and voice. The diversity of the invited musical ensembles ensures a rich and varied musical journey.

The 2025 edition — 18th edition: "Musical Pilgrimage"

The 18th edition took place from November 16 to 23, 2025, under the theme "Musical Pilgrimage." The festival kicked off on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 PM with the Ensemble Cronexos performing 17th-century Italian music in a program titled "Zefiro Torna." On Wednesday, November 19 at 8:30 PM, a concert by students from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Départemental (featuring horn, cello, bassoon, accordion, and saxophone) showcased local talent. On Friday, November 21 at 8:30 PM, a recital titled "Peregrination of a Romantic Soul" brought together soprano Claire Leroy, oboist David Gilbert, and organist Leonid Karev for works by Grieg, Sibelius, Verdi, and Gounod. The festival concluded on Sunday, November 23 at 4:00 PM with a program titled "Celestial Music and Russian Melodies."

The 2026 edition — 19th edition: "Taking Flight"

The 19th edition of the Brunoy Organ Festival will be held from Sunday, November 15 to Sunday, November 22, 2026, at the Saint-Médard church, under the theme "Taking Flight." The festival opens on November 15 at 4:00 PM with a concert featuring an organist and two bird-song whistlers. On November 18 at 8:30 PM, students from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Départemental du Val d'Yerres will perform. On November 20 at 8:30 PM, Thomas Ospital, titular organist of Saint-Eustache, will give a recital. The festival closes on November 22 at 4:00 PM with the Quintette Bacchus and organ.

The Amis des Orgues de Brunoy association

Since its inception, the festival has been driven by the Amis des Orgues de Brunoy association, whose volunteer dedication ensures the high quality of the organization each year. The association works in close collaboration with the City of Brunoy, the Essonne Departmental Council, and the Val d'Yerres Val de Seine agglomeration, whose cultural portal aggloculture.fr handles online ticketing. Thanks to this institutional support, ticket prices remain modest and accessible to all, with pass options available for attending multiple concerts at a reduced rate.

Why attend the Brunoy Organ Festival?

Beyond the musical quality, the festival offers a rare opportunity to hear a grand organ in its natural environment: a church in the heart of a Parisian suburb. This geographical accessibility—Brunoy is 25 km from Paris and well-served by the RER D—makes the festival an ideal cultural outing for the whole family. The intimate atmosphere of the concerts, the beauty of the venue, and the dedication of the musicians create an unforgettable musical experience, far from the hustle and bustle of large Parisian concert halls.