BWd12 Festival
Chamber music festival in Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
About BWd12
BWd12: Chamber Music in the Heart of the Loire Gorges
Since 2005, the BWd12 Festival has established itself as a major chamber music event, combining artistic excellence, conviviality, and openness to all audiences. Nestled in the exceptional setting of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, on the banks of the Loire gorges, the festival derives its name from a triple tribute: B for Bach, W for Werke ("works" in German), and d12 for the twelve founding musicians.
A Musical and Human Adventure
The festival was created on the initiative of Aimé Berthon, a resident of Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, and Samuel Etienne, a cellist and artistic director. Their ambition: to democratize chamber music by making it accessible in an exceptional heritage site. Each year, about fifteen artists—musicians from major national orchestras and renowned soloists—gather for a week-long residency at the château to work together before sharing the fruits of these exchanges with the public.
The Château Amphitheater: An Acoustic Gem
The concerts take place in the open-air amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, an outdoor theater with exceptional acoustics. The site offers a breathtaking view of the Loire gorges and Lake Grangent, in a remarkable natural and heritage environment. The capacity of 350 seats ensures a rare proximity between musicians and the audience.
From Duos to Sextets: A Demanding Program
The festival's programming explores all chamber music formations, from duos to sextets. Each edition features four evening concerts (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 5 PM), complemented by free events on Saturday and Sunday mornings: discovery workshops, public rehearsals, or participatory concerts. The repertoire mixes the great masters—Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvořák, Fauré, Rachmaninoff—and contemporary discoveries, from Karol Beffa to Olivier Messiaen.
Conviviality and Sharing
The spirit of the festival is based on exchange and conviviality. Each work is presented to the public before being performed, and the concerts are followed by a complimentary buffet allowing the audience to interact with the musicians and volunteers. Chaired by Richard Verney-Carron, the BWd12 association brings together around 35 volunteers who work year-round to organize the festival.
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
The BWd12 Festival is supported by the City of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne Métropole, the Department of the Loire, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. It is a member of local cultural networks and contributes to the influence of the Loire gorges heritage. Since its creation, the festival has presented over 100 concerts and some 600 works, welcoming a total of approximately 20,000 spectators.
BWd12 — edition 2026
The 21st edition of the BWd12 Festival takes place from August 27 to 30, 2026, in the green amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, in the heart of the Gorges de la Loire. On the program: four evening chamber music concerts, a carte blanche to composer Julien Joubert, a romantic evening centered on Bruch, a young audience show based on Mussorgsky's « Pictures at an Exhibition », and a closing concert « Fantasia musicale ». As every year, the festival also offers free events (general rehearsal open to the public).
21st Edition — August 27 to 30, 2026
The BWd12 Festival returns for its 21st edition from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, 2026, in the green amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. True to its spirit of sharing, the festival brings together high-level musicians to introduce chamber music in an exceptional heritage setting in the Gorges de la Loire.
The 2026 program combines creations, musical collaborations, and great repertoires: a humorous carte blanche to composer Julien Joubert, a romantic evening centered on Max Bruch, a dive into Czech music with Dvořák, Fibich, and Smetana, and an anthology of pieces to close the festival. Each work is presented to the public before being performed.
The festival also caters to families with a young audience show on Saturday morning, and opens some of its working sessions to the public (free general rehearsal on Sunday).
Programme BWd12 2026
Thursday, August 27, 2026 — 8 PM
« Everyone Writes Songs » — Carte blanche to composer Julien Joubert, who humorously reveals the principles of composition.
Friday, August 28, 2026 — 8 PM
« Bruch and Co » — Romantic evening centered on works by Max Bruch, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Richard Rössler.
Saturday, August 29, 2026 — 11 AM
Young Audience Show — Original show based on Modest Mussorgsky's « Pictures at an Exhibition ».
Saturday, August 29, 2026 — 8 PM
« A Story of Friendship » — String Quartet in C major, Op. 61 by Antonín Dvořák (1st movement), Quintet for Clarinet, Horn, Violin, Cello, and Piano in D major, Op. 42 by Zdeněk Fibich, String Quartet No. 1 in E minor « From My Life » by Bedřich Smetana (1st movement).
Sunday, August 30, 2026 — 5 PM
« Musical Fantasia » — Closing concert with works by Adolphe Blanc, György Kurtág, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and Ernst von Dohnányi.
Free Event
General rehearsal open to the public for free on Sunday, August 30.
Highlights BWd12 2026
- Carte blanche to composer Julien Joubert (Thursday, August 27)
- Romantic evening « Bruch and Co » (Friday, August 28)
- Young audience show based on Mussorgsky (Saturday, August 29 morning)
- Czech evening « A Story of Friendship »: Dvořák, Fibich, Smetana (Saturday, August 29)
- Closing concert « Musical Fantasia » (Sunday, August 30)
- Free general rehearsal open to the public
Prices BWd12 2026
Practical information — BWd12
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Saint-Victor-sur-Loire is accessible from Saint-Étienne (approx. 15 min) via the D108. The village is located on the banks of Lake Grangent, in the Loire gorges. A shuttle service is provided between distant parking lots and the château during the festival.
By public transport: From Saint-Étienne, the STAS bus line serves Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. The nearest SNCF train station is Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux.
Concert Venue
Concerts take place in the open-air amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, Allée des remparts, 42230 Saint-Victor-sur-Loire (delegated commune of Saint-Étienne). In case of bad weather, a backup venue is planned in the village church.
Ticketing and Prices
Early bird prices (until August 15):
- Individual concert: €17
- 4-concert pass: €50
On-site prices:
- Individual concert: €22
- 4-concert pass: €55
Reduced price: €5 (under 12s, M'Ra card, RSA beneficiaries)
Free events: Discovery workshops and public rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday mornings (online registration required).
Online booking: www.bwd12.fr/billetterie
Concert Times
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings: 8 PM
- Saturday morning: 11 AM (free event)
- Sunday morning: 11 AM (free public rehearsal)
- Sunday afternoon: 5 PM
Contact
Association BWd12
750, route de Boulain — 42230 Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
Phone: 04 77 90 47 40
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bwd12.fr
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — BWd12
Amphithéâtre du château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
Allée des remparts, 42230 Saint-Victor-sur-Loire